The UMass Memorial Foundation

Support Ali & Dad's Army

Pediatric Cancer Research and Programs

Ali Pierce Integrative Treatment Program…Ali's Gift

Children are not only battling cancer, they are also fighting and dealing with the great physical pain that comes with it. Non-traditional treatments, that supplemented her medical care, provided Ali with a great deal of relief. She and other children as young as six have successfully used massage therapy, Reiki, acupuncture and other forms of "energy" or touch therapies to ease their pain. Typically, most health insurance plans will not cover the cost of these treatments. Ali's wish was for all children to have access to these therapies regardless of their ability to pay for them. This fund seeks to do just that and integrate these therapies into the child's complete treatment plan.

Project Hope

Remission, it is what everyone battling cancer strives for. But, remission often comes with a cost. There are psychological and behavioral issues, and effects on family life that have to be dealt with. Families often experience significant difficulty transitioning to and accepting a successful long-term cure. Unfortunately some families must also cope with a relapse and accept a terminal outcome. This fund seeks to support families making these transitions through the establishment of professionally guided parent support groups and the publication of resource brochures.

Experimental Treatments

When all conventional treatments have been tried and a child is still suffering and battling cancer…what else can be done? Experimental and alternative treatments are often the answer but most health insurance will not cover the extremely high costs. Successful experimental treatments are often the forerunners of new and improved treatments for cancer providing better options for children worldwide. This fund seeks to support these treatments for children who have no other chance for a cure.

Professional Staff Support

This fund allows nurse practitioners, oncology nurses and other highly trained professionals to devote more time to working directly with pediatric cancer patients. The extra time enables them to coordinate inpatient and outpatient care, work with home health agencies to help families care for their children at home, and develop educational materials for patients and their families. All of these efforts reduce the stress on patients and their families during very difficult times.