Despite tremendous progress over the years, thousands of children are still afflicted with debilitating or life-threatening diseases.
But thanks to research in the University of Minnesota's Department of Pediatrics, doctors have helped save or extend the lives of thousands of children suffering from these illnesses.
Doctors here performed the world's first pediatric bone marrow transplant, first pediatric open-heart surgery, and first pediatric kidney biopsy. They pioneered pediatric nephrology, pediatric dialysis, and pediatric kidney transplantation. And children with cystic fibrosis are living longer, healthier lives because of a lung-clearing vest developed at the University.
Researchers are now forging ahead with long-term studies on outcomes for kids with cancer, as well as new therapies for children with high-risk malignancies or recurring cancer. Scientists continue to work toward better treatments for childhood diseases, with new studies on brain development, juvenile diabetes, and stem cell transplants for treating leukemia.
Gift Opportunities
Ways your gift can benefit children's health research at the University of Minnesota include:
- Contributing to cystic fibrosis research at the University, which has helped increase patient longevity from 16 years in 1970 to 48 years today
- Supporting University research in childhood cancer, which has already helped increase survival rates for children from 10 percent in 1959 to more than 70 percent today
- Helping children and families who have gone through transplant surgeries
Every gift can help save or extend the lives of thousands of children suffering from illness. Make your gift online now.