Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center

04/15/2026

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 is a chance to highlight the work of the music therapists who support patients and families everyday. These photos capture a recent session led by The Faris Foundation Music Therapist, 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗯𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗶𝗿. 🎶

In sessions like these, music therapists meet children where they are, building activities around each child’s interests and strengths. The result is a shared experience that brings people together and supports expression when words are hard to find.

Whether through live music or activities, sessions are shaped with purpose. Through making music, children build skills and confidence.

We’re grateful for the role music therapists play at Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center. 💜

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's Hospital and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center are coming together to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more at kinderchildrenscancercenter.org.

04/15/2026

Today is 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆, a day to recognize how creativity brings people together. To celebrate, we’re highlighting artwork from 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸, presented by The Periwinkle Foundation.

Now in its 𝟯𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, the exhibition features art and creative writing by children touched by cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center.

Through The Periwinkle Arts in Medicine Program, all patients and their siblings are invited to participate. Every submission is displayed, creating a showcase of creativity across our Center.

This collection reflects the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲, “𝘈 𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘈𝘳𝘵.” In honor of the theme, we’re sharing a few garden inspired pieces from the current exhibition.

🎨 Explore the full online gallery and send a message to an artist here: https://periwinklefoundation.org/programs/arts/making-a-mark/online-gallery/

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's Hospital and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more: kinderchildrenscancercenter.org

04/14/2026

Thanks to innovative new treatment, fifteen‑year‑old 𝗞𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲 can keep pursuing what matters most to him. Check out this KHOU 11 News segment, where Kaiser shares how a 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸 helps him stay active and on the golf course. ⛳

Watch the KHOU story here: https://www.khou.com/article/sports/golf/high-school-golfer-leukemia-chemo-houston-open/285-ae440bab-7cf7-48f0-b4f0-692d1ba901eb

Shortly after earning a spot on his school’s varsity golf team, Kaiser began treatment for leukemia. Through a clinical trial, he’s able to wear his chemotherapy in a backpack — allowing him to continue many of his daily activities.

With oversight from our Co-Chief Fellow 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀, 𝗠𝗗, Kaiser’s care plan reduces hospital visits from daily to just a few times a month. That flexibility supports Kaiser’s active lifestyle, allowing him to spend time on the golf course with friends and family.

Stories like Kaiser’s show how research‑driven, personalized care helps children fighting cancer or serious blood disorders stay connected to what matters most in their lives.

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's Hospital and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more: kinderchildrenscancercenter.org

04/08/2026

A recent ABC13 Houston Localish story explores how blood donations directly support those living with sickle cell disease. The segment features 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗲, 𝗠𝗗, and sickle cell advocate 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝗲𝗶 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗴, who share their personal journeys and explain the vital role donated blood plays in their lives.

Watch the segment here: https://abc13.com/post/blood-donations-essential-sickle-cell-patients/18676756/

Dr. Fasipe, Co-Director of Texas Children's 𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺, and Faith, a former Texas Children’s patient, were both born with sickle cell disease. Like many people living with this condition, they receive blood transfusions to help prevent serious complications and continue living full, active lives.

Their stories show the profound impact donated blood can have. Thanks to transfusions, both Faith and Dr. Fasipe can continue their work supporting others living with sickle cell disease.

🩸 Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to become rigid and crescent‑shaped, leading to symptoms like severe pain and anemia. It is considered a rare disease, affecting fewer than 200,000 people nationwide. Regular blood transfusions are used to help manage the disease and prevent life-threatening issues like strokes.

Learn more about Texas Children's Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Program: https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/sickle-cell-and-thalassemia-program

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's Hospital and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more: kinderchildrenscancercenter.org

04/06/2026

On March 6, our hospital community came together to celebrate 𝗥𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲. The event offered a welcoming space for families to learn and engage with teams passionate about supporting children with rare conditions.

📸 Check out pictures from the event!

The Texas Children’s Auxiliary Bridge was lined with tables offering families a chance to explore a variety of resources. Our 𝗩𝗮𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 hosted one of them, sharing treats and raising awareness about rare vascular conditions, including the importance of recognizing early signs and accessing specialized care.

Across our Center, many other programs also play a vital role in caring for children with rare diseases, including our 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺, 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺, 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺, and 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗰𝘆𝘁𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺.

A huge thank you to our community partners, whose services help support our patients and their families as they undergo treatment for rare diseases. These partners include Project FAVA, K-T Support Group, Lymphangiomatosis & Gorham's Disease Alliance, The Sturge-Weber Foundation, Lymphatic Education & Research Network, M-CM Network, Alliance to Cure Cavernous Malformation, Cloves Syndrome Foundation, Cure HHT, and AVM Alliance: A Pediatric Stroke Page.

Rare Disease Day continues to bring people together around the world, strengthening support networks and raising awareness for those living with rare diseases💜

Learn more about some of the Texas Children's Hospital programs that treat rare diseases:
➡️ Vascular Anomalies: https://tinyurl.com/2dfa7yxn
➡️ Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplant: https://tinyurl.com/bp5fwyrv
➡️ Bone Marrow Failure: https://tinyurl.com/2d349n3x
➡️ Brain Tumor: https://tinyurl.com/4xhvxp2s
➡️ Histiocytosis: https://tinyurl.com/ahk3znjf

Learn more about Rare Disease Day: https://www.rarediseaseday.org/

04/02/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our nurse practitioner 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 and her husband on earning their black belts in Tang Soo Do Karate!

What started as a neurologist’s recommendation to help address debilitating migraines became a three‑plus‑year commitment that transformed Terry’s well‑being. Training alongside her family at The Karate School-Humble, TX, she discovered a new way to manage stress and build confidence.

A quote on the wall of Terry’s karate school reads, “A black belt is a white belt who never gave up.” That message became a guiding principle — motivating Terry to persist in her practice and share the lessons she’s learned with others.

“When I started, I couldn’t imagine having come this far, and I’m thankful to be here!” — Terry Armstrong

Terry has served as a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric leukemia at Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center since 2012, and is an instructor in the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology Oncology, at Baylor College of Medicine.

Congratulations again to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong!

👉 Learn more about Terry: https://www.texaschildrens.org/find-a-provider/terry-s-armstrong-aprn-msn-cpon-cpnp-pc

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's Hospital and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more at kinderchildrenscancercenter.org

04/01/2026

Congratulations to 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗲𝗱 on receiving a 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 - 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! This honors her ongoing commitment to going above and beyond to enhance patient safety. 🍀

For 𝟰𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, Paulette has supported children fighting cancer or serious blood disorders at our Center. As manager of patient support services in our outpatient clinic, she leads the team responsible for all incoming referrals and patient calls. This group also handles complex follow‑up scheduling required for infusions and inpatient admissions and procedures.

Over the years, Paulette has built a highly skilled and experienced team. Her thoughtful approach to hiring and mentorship ensure that staff members are well‑prepared for the complexities of their roles. This depth of experience helps ensure appointments are efficiently scheduled and that patients experience coordinated, reliable care.

Paulette’s dedication and diligence continue to reinforce safety in one of the hospital’s busiest clinical areas. We are deeply grateful for her commitment to our patients and their families.

Please join us in congratulating Paulette on this well‑deserved honor.

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's Hospital and University of Texas UT MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more: kinderchildrenscancercenter.org

04/01/2026

03/30/2026

Watch the appreciation felt for our clinical faculty across our Center. In honor of 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀’ 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we’re sharing last year’s video featuring heartfelt messages from our patients to their care team.

Their words highlight the expert, compassionate care provided every day to children and families facing cancer or serious blood disorders. 💙

We invite you to share your own stories of gratitude or moments when a doctor made a meaningful difference in your life.

🖼 See the horizontal version of the video here (for desktop): https://youtu.be/z2t3RaD7Q7M

ℹ️🏥 Children's Hospital and University of MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more: kinderchildrenscancercenter.org

03/26/2026

Four‑year‑old 𝗠𝗮𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗿 won 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 in the RODEOHOUSTON Children’s Hospitals Art Contest! Check out this ABC13 Houston Localish segment about his artistic journey. 🎨

Enjoy the pics and watch the segment here: https://abc13.com/videoClip/18711069/

Maxten’s colorful cowboy hat artwork is just one of many pieces he’s created at the Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center art studio while undergoing treatment for leukemia.

Working alongside The Faris Foundation Art Therapist Jen Sullivan, he discovered a love for painting, using each session to express himself and bring his creativity to life.

Maxten’s art was on display in the Hayloft Gallery at NRG Center. Congratulations to Maxten for his award-winning work!

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's Hospital and University of Texas UT MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more: kinderchildrenscancercenter.org

03/26/2026

✨It’s 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵!✨ Join us in celebrating our amazing Child Life Specialists and Activity Coordinators. Their compassion and dedication help transform the hospital experience for the patients and families we serve.

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 support children and adolescents as they navigate medical experiences, helping them understand what to expect in developmentally appropriate ways. Through hands‑on teaching, medical play, expressive activities, and emotional support, they help patients build coping skills and confidence during treatment.

𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 play a vital role in normalizing the hospital environment through play and self‑expression. By facilitating activities and group programming, they create meaningful opportunities for creativity and connection. Their work helps children maintain a sense of joy and routine throughout care.

Together, this dedicated team extends their impact beyond the bedside — supporting siblings as they adjust to change and guiding parents and caregivers through challenging moments.

We’re truly grateful for all they do to support children and families — their work strengthens our Center every day. 💛

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's Hospital and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more: kinderchildrenscancercenter.org

03/25/2026

New findings published in the prestigious journal Nature reveal why a brain tumor called 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗔 (𝗣𝗙𝗔) 𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗮 affects boys more than girls—insights that could help shape more precise treatment approaches.

PFA ependymoma is a rare, aggressive brain tumor in young children and lacks targetable mutations, making treatment challenging. It affects both boys and girls, but boys are about 40% more likely to develop it—a difference that has been recognized but not well‑understood until now.

To better understand this pattern, researchers examined how sex‑specific development shapes PFA tumor behavior and identified a key biological driver. Using tumor samples and developmental models, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘀—𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀—𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗙𝗔 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀‑𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗱, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲.

📖 Read the full study:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10264-6

The lead authors on this study include (pictured by institution; top to bottom, left to right) 𝗝𝗶𝗮𝗼 𝗭𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴, PhD and 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗗. 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿, MD, PhD (Texas Children’s Hospital); 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗴, PhD and 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝘀𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀𝘆𝗻, PhD (The Hospital for Sick Children); 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗮𝗷, PhD (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine); and 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗟. 𝗞𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗮𝗻, PhD (McGill University).

Building on these findings, the researchers also showed that blocking androgen signaling reduces tumor growth, suggesting that anti‑androgen therapy could be a promising avenue for future treatment development. And because androgens are present in both males and females, this type of therapy could benefit all children with PFA.

“Our study provides a biological explanation for why PFA ependymoma has a markedly higher incidence and worse prognosis in boys than in girls.” — 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗶𝗮𝗼 𝗭𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴, co-first author

“These findings suggest that androgen‑blocking therapies may represent a rational direction for future targeted treatment strategies.” — 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗗. 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿, co-corresponding author

This highly collaborative work was led by Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center and Baylor College of Medicine alongside researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children- SickKids, University of Toronto Pitt School of Medicine McGill University and many additional international partners (full contributor list in the article). The research was supported by 𝗧𝗵𝗲 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stand Up To Cancer 𝗧𝗵𝗲 Canadian Institutes of Health Research 𝗧𝗵𝗲 National Cancer Institute The Terry Fox Foundation and others (full list of supporters in the article).