Our Kids

Sam   - Lives in San Diego and was diagnosed on 1/19/05

Max   - Also lives in San Diego and was diagnosed on 10/26/04

Will   - Lives outside of Boston and was diagnosed on 3/21/05

What We Do

Our Mission

Saving the lives of our kids who have neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma cancers.

Our Goal

Opening new phase 1 clinical trials that offer less-toxic therapies that maintain or enhance anti-tumor efficacy.

Our Strategy

Funding the translation of existing research and FDA-approved drugs into clinical application.

Who We Are

Neil Hutchison
Neil is a recruiter with BAE Systems in San Diego. He lives with his wife and three children in Pacific Beach, a community of San Diego.

Neil’s son Sam was diagnosed on January 19, 2005 with Stage IV Neuroblastoma with a tumor in his abdomen, three bone lesions, and 95% packed bone marrow. His tumor is non-nmyc amplified. Sam completed the standard COG protocol 3973 which included six rounds of high dose chemo, a six hour surgery to remove the primary tumor, a stem cell transplant at The City of Hope, radiation, and six months of accutane. Sam was declared NED in October of 2005 after stem cell transplant. In August of 2006 it was confirmed that Sam had relapsed with a bone lesion on the left femur and 5% bone marrow involvement.

Andy Mikulak
Andy is a vice president with RealAge.com in San Diego. He lives with his wife and three children in Carmel Valley, a community of San Diego. 

Andy’s son Max was diagnosed with on October 26, 2004 with Stage IV Neuroblastoma with a tumor in his upper chest and neck and bone. His tumor is non-nmyc amplified. Max completed the standard COG protocol 3973 which included six rounds of high dose chemo, a stem cell transplant at Children’s San Diego, radiation, and six months of accutane. Max was declared NED in October of 2005 after stem cell transplant and completion of accutane therapy. In November of 2006 it was confirmed that Max had relapsed with bone lesion on his spine and left rib, and 5% bone marrow involvement.

Meryl Witmer
Meryl is a general partner with Witmer Asset Management in New York City. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Manhattan.

Patrick Lacey
Patrick works in Business Development for Thomson Financial in Boston.  He lives with his wife Dina and two children in Braintree Massachusetts.

Patrick’s son Will was diagnosed with intermediate risk stage IV Neuroblastoma at 7 months of age on March 21st of 2005. The tumor was in his upper chest and had spread to regional lymph nodes and a tiny bone lesion in his arm.   Will completed 8 rounds of chemotherapy and a partial tumor resection was performed. His first round of post treatment scans in February of 2006 showed that Will had relapsed.  What followed was high dose chemotherapy, radioisotope therapy and countless rounds of other chemotherapy options.  In fall of 2006 Will’s doctors told his parents there is no cure for their son.