This new nationwide initiative supports the fight against childhood cancer. The VCC grant is one of 68 $100,000 grants distributed nationwide and one of only seven grants awarded in New England. The grants will be used to fund direct research projects and support meaningful initiatives undertaken by doctors, nurses, social workers, child life specialists and other professionals who work with pediatric cancer patients. The VCC's grant will support the research of Giselle Sholler, M.D., UVM assistant professor of pediatrics and pediatric oncologist at the Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen. 

The Neuroblastoma Alliance hosted A Night at the Barn, a fundraising event at the Shelburne Farms coach barn on Oct. 24, 2009.

The evening included piano jazz with Peter Krag,  a DJ and dancing, appetizers and desserts prepared by local chefs, and a silent auction. The night was a wonderful success raising over $15,000. Look for it to be even better next year.

The Neuroblastoma Alliance formed in 2009, and consists of a dedicated group of families, foundations, and fundraising and advocacy groups. The purpose of this alliance is to find a cure for neuroblastoma by funding the research of a leading doctor at the Vermont Cancer Center, Giselle Sholler, her staff and her collaborators across the country.

Every 16 hours a child with neuroblastoma dies. Sholler is a pediatric oncologist working to help save the lives of these kids who are fighting this disease by offering clinical trials and innovative combination therapies for children with relapsed neuroblastoma. Families come to Vermont from all over the world seeking hope in Sholler's innovative treatment approach.

The Neuroblastoma Alliance is working ith the SD Ireland Cancer Research Fund to ensure that 100 percent of donations go to funding Sholler's laboratory and clinical trials national collaboration called the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium.