Pediatric 2

By 2015, increase the enrollment of pediatrics, adolescents, and young adults on COG (Children’s Oncology Group) studies across the state of Colorado.

Strategies:

• Increase education of and communication among pediatric medical professionals and facilities.
• Increase availability of online medical resources  and existing centralized databases.
• Educate parents as to the possible indications of the most commonly diagnosed forms of pediatric cancers.
• Educate referring doctors about the necessity of enrolling cancer patients on COG studies.

Pediatric 3

By 2015, increase the number of  referrals to pediatric cancer centers of children and adolescents suspected of having cancer.

Strategies:

• Educate pediatric health care professionals, family practice, and adult oncologists as to the imperative nature of having children diagnosed with cancer referred to a pediatric cancer care center, thereby ensuring the child has access to the most timely and up to date treatments and standards of care.
• Develop strategies that work to ensure:
  • that children in rural and outlying mountain communities  have access to quality care by increasing support of currently operating “mobile clinics” provided by Metropolitan-based pediatric care centers. that children have access to quality care regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
  • that healthcare facilities have internet capabilities for patient resources.
  • that there is integrated and effective sibling support information and opportunities available to medical and psychosocial professionals in all of these pediatric cancer centers.
  • that services of either bilingual staff or properly qualified interpreters are available for patients and families with any language other than English, including sign language for the deaf
• Cultivate stronger networks of community resources and patient navigators for families in areas with limited access to care.
• Foster more effective distribution of culturally appropriate information and awareness about how to access care and other support resources to non-English speaking children with cancer and their families.

Pediatric 4

By 2015, increase awareness of the need for more extensive, specific research into the causes of pediatric cancers and into the development of new, more effective, less toxic treatments and potential vaccines for pediatric cancers

Strategies:

• Review current research protocols to determine both what is available now and what is lacking.
• Make information about current clinical trials available. 
• Educate parents, primary care pediatricians, family practice, adult oncologists, and patient navigators as to the advantages of enrolling in clinical trials.
• Advocate for increased funding for pediatric cancer research.

Pediatric 5

By 2015, increase awareness of the need to recruit, mentor and retain skilled pediatric research professionals.

Strategies:

• Begin conversations with State Educational institutions regarding scholarship incentives for students entering into the field of pediatric oncology research.
• Explore opportunities for other incentives, ie: Student Loan Payoff programs in exchange for time commitments in the pediatric oncology research and development field.