2023 Annual Appeal to PREVENT medulloblastoma
I cried when Dr. Michael Taylor emailed me to say, “We’ve figured out the origin of medulloblastoma group 3 and 4 … and how to prevent it!”
I never thought I’d hear the words, prevent medulloblastoma (MB), the tumor that took our boy away. Michael’s post-mortem tissue went to Dr. Taylor’s lab, we’ve funded his research into curing MB, but to prevent it! What better way to fulfill Michael’s wish that “No other child go through what I did” than by preventing it altogether?
This year’s Annual Appeal is about PREVENTING medulloblastoma.
Join us in supporting this promising research.
Patti – Michael’s Mom
Michael's Story
Before his death at 15, Michael Gustafson hatched what he called his "master plan" - and laid the foundation for what Swifty does today.
Gift from a Child
Tissue donation is a contribution that improves outcomes for children with brain cancer that only families can make.
Recurrent Medulloblastoma
The impact of Michael’s gift and the gifts of Swifty supporters continue to create a tidal wave of impact. It’s time to celebrate and invite you to help us keep the ripples rolling.
Once you choose HOPE, anything is possible
Together we’re moving toward hope one initiative at a time.
Disturbing Facts About Childhood Cancer
Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death BY DISEASE for children in the U.S. …. It exceeds deaths by all other diseases combined. Only 4 pennies of every FEDERAL dollar available for cancer research goes to fund PEDIATRIC cancer research.
Learn More
How is brain cancer different in kids?
All brain tumors can change in response to cancer treatment – but this is especially true for kids, whose bodies are growing and changing anyway. You could be diagnosed with one type of cancer, but have a very different type years later.
To improve treatments, researchers need to better understand the ways kids’ cancers change and transform over time. This means studying as much donated tissue as possible, from as many cancer stages as possible.
But it’s often difficult for families to donate tissue for research – and when they do donate, it’s difficult for researchers to share their findings widely. Swifty is helping to change that.