Jennifer was a quiet, shy child who often hid behind her parents, answering hospital staff with soft squeaks instead of words—a habit that earned her the nickname “Squeak” from her nurses.
Immediately after her diagnosis, Jennifer was enrolled in a clinical trial at City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California. At that time, the trial was being coordinated by Children’s Cancer Group (CCG), which was one of the groups that merged just over 25 years ago into what is now COG.
Jennifer has few clear memories from that time; only hazy impressions of hospital visitors and glimpses of other children in the playroom. “I think the staff and my parents made sure that [time spent in treatment] was almost a fun experience – like a normal thing,” she said. “I didn’t know any different at that age.”
Jennifer has been fortunate to avoid long-term physical or psychological effects from her cancer or treatment, but she understands that this is not the reality for many pediatric cancer survivors. She also recognizes that her outcome was shaped in part by having parents who could advocate for her and had the resources to access care. “Some families are not like that — there might be language barriers or financial barriers,” Jennifer said.
She came across an opening at COG with little knowledge of its history or even her personal connection—that COG coordinates the same kind of studies she participated in all those years ago. Jennifer began working for COG as a Protocol Coordinator opens in a new tab before being promoted to Senior Protocol Coordinator, the position she holds today.
“Working with experts in the field to facilitate this kind of giant ‘group project’ and make it see the light of day eventually is just a really fulfilling process,” Jennifer said. While protocol development is not without its frustrations and day-to-day struggles, during hard times, Jennifer reminds herself that, “I’m making a meaningful impact for children and families who experience what I went through.”
Outside of her work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and their “zoo,” as she affectionately refers to their two cats and two dogs. She remains close to her family and can often be found crocheting gifts for family and friends.
To that end, Jennifer would like to see greater investment in research focused on survivorship and quality of life. “These kids deserve a chance to live long, fulfilling lives and not have to experience the side effects that come from this type of treatment and this experience.”
“We’re doing what we can with the resources we have, but it’s getting harder and harder in the funding landscape for children’s oncology.” Her perspective underscores both the extraordinary commitment driving pediatric cancer research and the urgent need for greater investment to sustain it.
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