Mass General Brigham for Children

07/21/2025

One day he was at the pool. Two days later, he was fighting cancer.

7-year-old Brandon Buchanan seemed like any other active kid. He loved dancing, rollerblading and playing with his twin sister, Addison. But when he suddenly developed a stomachache, everything quickly changed.

Within 48 hours, Brandon was diagnosed with Burkitt-like lymphoma, a rare and extremely fast-growing blood cancer. His tumor grew so rapidly it was compressing his lungs. He needed immediate, intensive care.

Brandon was placed on a ventilator and began chemotherapy just in time to stop the tumor from growing any larger. At Mass General Brigham for Children, his care team acted quickly to treat the aggressive cancer.

Over the next two months, he went through four intensive rounds of treatment, supported every step of the way by a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and child life specialists.

He danced through chemo, and he started first grade on time. And today, he’s in remission. Full of energy, joy, and back to doing everything he loves.

Brandon was diagnosed with Burkitt-like lymphoma, a rare blood cancer. He came to Mass General Brigham for Children for life-saving cancer care. Read his story.

07/17/2025

Feeling overwhelmed by summer break? You’re not alone. For kids (and parents), the lack of routine can feel exciting and chaotic. But a little structure can make a big difference in helping kids feel more grounded, confident and connected. Gene Beresin, MD, MA, from the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at MGH gives tips to help.

07/17/2025

While swimsuit color may seem like just a fashion decision, it can actually affect how visible your child is in the water and help keep them safe. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. Small steps, like choosing the right swimsuit color, can make a big difference. Stay safe this summer and save this for your next shopping trip.

07/11/2025

Nosebleed? Don’t panic!
Emergency medicine doctor Ari Cohen, MD, demonstrates the right way to stop a nosebleed quickly and safely.

07/03/2025

Not all flotation devices prevent drowning.

To help keep children safe in or near water, choose a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits your child’s weight.

🚫 Not recommended: Water wings, puddle jumpers, floaties and inner tubes.

Remember: A life jacket does NOT substitute for adult supervision. An adult must still closely supervise children in or near water, even if they’re wearing a life jacket. Stay safe this summer!

07/02/2025

After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age six, Liam Doherty of Canton, Mass. organized a lemonade stand to support the research of his doctor, Jess Kaplan, MD, at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Mass General Brigham for Children. When Liam’s younger brother Patrick was also diagnosed with Crohn’s in 2023, the Doherty family’s mission to “turn lemons into lemonade” deepened. Since its founding in 2017, Liam’s Lemonade Stand has raised more than $170,000 — through nearly 1,000 gifts from 25 states and 4 countries — to support Liam’s life goal of curing Crohn’s disease.

Community fundraisers, like Liam, fuel life-changing and life-saving care, research and education. Whatever your reason, we invite you to be part of the movement.

07/02/2025

Concussions can happen in a split second, but their effects can last much longer. Emergency medicine doctor Ari Cohen, MD, shares what parents and young athletes need to know about recognizing and responding to concussions in kids and teens.

06/30/2025

Today’s cannabis isn’t what it used to be. Potency has skyrocketed and many teens and parents don’t realize the risks. Psychosis and addiction are on the rise among young people in Massachusetts and doctors say cannabis is now the #1 reason teens seek addiction treatment. Learn more about the impact of high-potency cannabis.

Sports, good grades, and good friends. High school seemed to be going just fine for her son.

06/24/2025

Meet Nathan Wu: Med Student by Day, Superhero by Heart

Harvard Medical School student Nathan Wu brings joy to pediatric patients at Mass General Brigham for Children and Spaulding Rehabilitation through the Healing Little Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit he co-founded with his father. Dressed as characters like Captain America, Nathan visits kids across Mass General Brigham for Children and beyond, lifting spirits every day. 💙

06/24/2025

Dehydration in children isn’t always obvious, but it can be dangerous. Emergency medicine doctor Ari Cohen, MD, explains the signs parents should watch for.

06/19/2025

Recent reports show a rise in melanoma cases in Massachusetts, particularly among younger women. Jeff Yu, MD, MS, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, spoke with WCVB Channel 5 Boston to share what might be driving the trend.

Recent reports show that experts have seen a rise in melanoma cases in Massachusetts, especially among younger women. NewsCenter 5 spoke to Dr. Jeff Yu, a dermatologist at Mass. General Hospital to find out why.