Helping accelerate treatment for pediatric cancer with Dell cloud technology
Dell supports pediatric cancer research through partnership With a multimillion dollar, multiyear commitment of technology solutions and team member engagement, Dell Powering the Possible Giving program will help power clinical researchers and doctors around the world to:
|
|
Dell technology's critical role in cancer treatment advancement | |
| |
Dell is committed to funding and supporting pediatric cancer research. Dell is prioritizing neuroblastoma as the focus of this giving initiative because of the crucial and immediate role Dell can play by donating cloud computing, a key component in addressing the void of new and innovative treatments available for children with this devastating disease.
Neuroblastoma strikes one in 100,000 children annually in the United States and can produce aggressive tumors that are unique to each child and often don’t respond to conventional "one-size-fits-all" treatment. With little commercially or federally funded research under way because of its small patient base, parents and pediatric oncologists have relied largely on "trial and error" in their search for a treatment that will work from among the hundreds of available adult cancer trials.
“Now, thanks to innovative doctors and Dell’s incredible support, kids will finally get a chance at treatment designed to improve their lives and survival,” said Patrick Lacey, cofounder and president of Friends of Will Cancer Foundation.
To overcome these challenges, Pat and other parents have teamed up with physicians and scientists from the NMTRC, the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) and TGen to launch the world’s first personalized medicine clinical trial investigation for pediatric cancer.
Dell cloud technology gives the power to do more for personalized medicine
The trial is based on research from a group of collaborating investigators who are developing a personalized medicine process that is intended to permit near "real-time" processing of information on patient tumors and prediction of best treatments for a specific patient. Prior to Dell sponsorship, the trial was funded primarily by parents of children with neuroblastoma and their foundations.
Specifically for this commitment, Dell is developing and donating cloud technology that will provide needed computing power to help increase TGen’s gene sequencing and analysis capacity by 1,200 percent and improve collaboration between the team working on the trial.
The end result: Patients garner quicker access to a personalized treatment plan backed by more solid, collective research.
Dell believes information technology is the foundation on which healthcare will move forward, transitioning from treating illness to managing wellness. Our Giving program focused on pediatric cancer research and our partnership with TGen are an example of our work to understand emerging healthcare challenges, to drive the global transformation to information-driven healthcare.
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based nonprofit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life-changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
As part of Dell’s ongoing support of children’s cancer care initiatives, Dell supports the needs of families and children affected by pediatric cancer through a variety of nonprofit partners around the world. Through our partner relationships, we provide funding, access to technology and employee volunteerism. Following are a list of the organizations we work with:
| Location | Partner | Description |
| China | SCLF/Second Affiliated Hospital of Huaxi | A grant will help fund treatments for children with leukemia that would otherwise have to discontinue treatment because of financial difficulties. |
| France | L'Institut Gustave Roussy IGR | Dell technology will power classrooms in the hospital that allow cancer patients to continue their education during treatment. |
| India | The Cancer Institute (WIA) | A grant will help the Institute better diagnose children with leukemia, improving treatment selection. |
| Malaysia | Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital | A grant will fund two new rooms dedicated to pediatric cancer patients. |
| Mexico | Casa de la Amistad para Niños con Càncer, I.A.P. | An online tool will be developed to educate practitioners in underprivileged areas to better diagnose cancer patients. |
| South Africa | CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation | The program is designed to educate practitioners at all levels of the health system to diagnose cancer patients as soon as possible. |
| U.S. | Ronald McDonald House | Through a corporate grant and employee volunteers, Dell will assist local Houses and families of children receiving medical care. |
