Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center

02/23/2026

It’s 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸! Watch how our fellows help deliver exceptional care for children fighting cancer or serious blood disorders while building expertise that advances tomorrow’s treatments.

🎥 Take an inside look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moNI65yvX-4

Fellows help lead inpatient teams, manage consults across the hospital, and help teach residents and medical students. As their training progresses, they shift toward research, contributing to clinical trials and meaningful discoveries that shape future therapies. This combination of intensive clinical training across subspecialties and protected research time prepares trainees to improve care today and push the field forward.

“We take great pride in the accomplishments of our fellows and look forward to seeing the exciting things that they can do in the future.” — 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗠𝗗, 𝗣𝗵𝗗, 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿.

“Being a fellowship director has been the best part of my career … it is a privilege and joy to see trainees come in eager and undifferentiated and then become experts who advance the field.”
— 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗡𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗲-𝗞𝗶𝗺, 𝗠𝗗, 𝗠𝗘𝗱, 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿

Learn more about the fellowship: https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/cancer-and-hematology-center/fellowships-and-education

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

02/18/2026

When a child is diagnosed with 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗰𝘆𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗮 (𝗜𝗧𝗣), one of the hardest questions to answer is whether the disorder will disappear within a year or become a chronic condition requiring years of monitoring.

Now, a new study is helping bring much needed clarity. Published in 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 (American Society of Hematology), this retrospective analysis of 611 children with ITP introduces a statistical risk model designed to predict the likelihood of chronic ITP at the time of diagnosis.

📖 Read the full study:
https://ashpublications.org/blood/article-abstract/doi/10.1182/blood.2025028563/566403/Predicting-Development-of-Pediatric-Chronic-Immune

The model was found to be predictive and clinically useful. Led by first authors 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗭𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗸, 𝗠𝗗, 𝗠𝗣𝗛 and 𝗞𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿, 𝗠𝗗, alongside senior authors 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗹𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝗶𝗺, 𝗠𝗗, and 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗕. 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗠𝗗, the team developed the model by analyzing different variables at time of diagnosis. The factors that were found to contribute meaningfully to chronic ITP risk were age, s*x, antibody and immune cell levels, platelet count, the presence of a blood marker for certain autoimmune conditions, and whether the child had relevant underlying conditions.

This work is the result of collaboration across Baylor College of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and many other institutions. Additional support came from organizations such as the 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗘𝗹𝗯𝗮𝘂𝗺 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (NYU Langone) and the National Cancer Institute. See the full list of contributors in the article.

📌 𝗜𝗧𝗣 is a condition in which a person’s immune system mistakenly destroys platelets—important blood components that help form clots, stop bleeding, and start healing. This can cause symptoms such as easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds or, rarely, dangerous internal bleeding. The insights from this study may help inform earlier, more individualized treatment for children with ITP.

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

02/18/2026

02/13/2026

Our faculty are leading the way. Recent professional leadership roles and recognitions highlight their expertise and impact on care for children fighting cancer or serious blood disorders.

Congratulations to the following individuals (pictured below, top to bottom):

• 𝗜𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗜𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯𝗮𝘀, 𝗠𝗗, appointed Vice Chair of the Scientific Committee for the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies - ISSVA, helping guide scientific strategy and global collaboration in vascular anomalies.

• 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗕. 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲, 𝗠𝗗, appointed to the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Subboard of the American Board of Pediatrics, upholding national standards for pediatric hematology-oncology and supporting continued learning in the field.

• 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗡𝗮 𝗝. 𝗟𝗲𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗺, 𝗠𝗗, 𝗠𝗘𝗱, inducted into the Texas Beta Chapter of 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮 𝗢𝗺𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮 (𝗔Ω𝗔) 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆, a lifelong honor recognizing commitment to professionalism, leadership, scholarship, research, and service.

• 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬. 𝗟𝗶𝗻, 𝗠𝗗, also inducted into the Texas Beta Chapter of 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮 𝗢𝗺𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮 (𝗔Ω𝗔) 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆.

More about the organizations where our faculty are shaping the future of pediatric care:
🔸 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗮𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 – advancing diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of vascular anomalies worldwide: https://www.issva.org/
🔸 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀 – supporting excellence in child health through certification and professional development: https://www.abp.org/
🔸 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮 𝗢𝗺𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮 – recognizing educational excellence and cultivating leaders in medicine: https://www.alphaomegaalpha.org/

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

02/09/2026

Houston shoppers are making an impact. Last month, The Sale Houston 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 $𝟰𝟳𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 to benefit brain cancer research led by Tamra Ogilvie, PhD. The annual three‑day event brought 50+ premier boutiques under one roof with dramatic discounts, and more than 1,800 attendees came together to support a meaningful cause.

Learn more about Dr. Ogilvie’s research program, focused on the most common aggressive brain tumor in children: https://www.texaschildrens.org/ogilvie-lab

“We’re incredibly grateful to Houston Tri Delta Philanthropies, Inc. for hosting The Sale and choosing Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center as this year’s beneficiary,” said Will Parsons, MD, PhD, Director of Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center.

“Events like this do more than raise essential funds. They bring people together around a shared purpose: giving children and young adults facing brain cancer a better chance.”

Watch a recap of the event, featuring Dr. Ogilvie, on a Houston Life segment on KPRC2 / Click2Houston: https://www.click2houston.com/houston-life/2026/01/09/shop-the-sale-houston-with-proceeds-benefitting-childhood-cancer-research/

ℹ️ The Sale was founded in 2015 by Houston Tri Delta Philanthropies, Inc., and has since contributed over $2.5 million toward impactful pediatric cancer research. Learn more about The Sale here: https://www.thesalehouston.com/

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

02/06/2026

At Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center, we’re celebrating faculty who have recently secured a total of over $3.2M in research grants that will advance care for children fighting cancer or serious blood disorders. These new awards support innovative projects in immunotherapy, disease monitoring, rare cancer biology, and understanding cancer risk factors.

See below for the list of Principal Investigators and their newly funded projects (pictured above, top left to right by row):

• 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹 𝗘. 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻, 𝗠𝗗, 𝗣𝗵𝗗 | Curing pediatric Langerhans cell histiocytosis: testing synergy of chemotherapy and MAPK inhibition – Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

• 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗟. 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻, 𝗣𝗵𝗗, 𝗠𝗣𝗛 | Exploring the role of immune dysregulation on Hodgkin lymphoma susceptibility – The Jeffrey Pride Foundation

• 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗦. 𝗞𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗣𝗵𝗗 | Radiation dose-volume associations with neurocognitive change in pediatric brain tumor patients treated with proton vs. photon radiotherapy – CPRIT

• 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗹 𝗔. 𝗢𝗺𝗲𝗿, 𝗠𝗗 | Toward durable remissions: gene-edited GD2-CAR T cells to overcome resistance in pediatric brain tumors – The Faris Foundation

• 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶, 𝗣𝗵𝗗 | Advancing P27600: a novel plant-derived compound for treating Ewing sarcoma – TeamKate

• 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗦. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝗠𝗗, 𝗣𝗵𝗗 | Updated disease monitoring & treatment to enhance pediatric AML outcomes – Cannonball Kids' cancer

• 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗛. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗻, 𝗠𝗗 and 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗘. 𝗛𝗲𝘀𝗹𝗼𝗽, 𝗠𝗗, 𝗗𝗦𝗰 (𝗛𝗼𝗻) (not pictured) | Cancer adoptive cellular therapy (CAN-ACT); administrative supplement to Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) in lymphoma (P50) – National Institutes of Health (NIH)

• 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘄𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝗠𝗗, 𝗣𝗵𝗗 | Enhancing GD2-CAR NKT anti-tumor efficacy against neuroblastoma through targeting BLIMP1 – The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation

• 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗔. 𝗪𝗮𝗵𝗯𝗮, 𝗠𝗗 | Early career award program: advancing pediatric cancer immunotherapy with CAR-NKT cells – 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱

Thank you to these foundations and our dedicated faculty for pushing forward research that will make a meaningful difference for families.



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

02/04/2026

Cancer research took center stage on Good Morning America. A recent segment features new findings in Nature Medicine on a personalized T cell therapy for pancreatic cancer, with Ann Leen, PhD, and Benjamin Musher, MD: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/video/129449690

The segment aired on January 22nd and was reported by ABC News’ Becky Worley.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is difficult to detect, and even when detected early, outcomes are often poor. The phase 1/2 clinical trial highlighted in the video explores whether boosting a patient’s own immune cells and helping them target five cancer-specific proteins can improve disease control.

In the study, 84.6% of patients responding to chemotherapy achieved disease stabilization, with control lasting a median of six months. Control lasted longer in some patients, and two patients remain disease-free over five years after surgery. Along with Drs. Leen and Musher, Spyridoula Vasileiou, PhD, and Brandon G. Smaglo, MD, FACP served as lead authors. Read the findings here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04043-5.epdf

While this study focused on adults, the approach could inform future strategies for other hard-to-treat cancers.

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

02/01/2026

🎥 Watch a short video highlighting a next generation CAR T immunotherapy for children with 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗮 (𝗗𝗠𝗚), supported by The Faris Foundation and led at Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center.

▶️ https://youtu.be/PdhEEU2oiYo

DMG is one of the deadliest pediatric brain cancers, affecting an estimated 200–400 children each year in the United States. In the video, Bilal A. Omer, MD and D. Will Parsons, MD, PhD, Director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center, explain how this work builds on early clinical trial results to further refine the approach, and advance toward a cure for all children with this hard-to-treat cancer.

Early GD2 targeted CAR T cell trials supported by The Faris Foundation showed encouraging tumor regressions and meaningful neurologic improvements, even in children who had no other options. This next phase focuses on gene edited, “armored” GD2 CAR T cells designed to persist longer and resist immune suppression in the brain—key barriers to lasting remission.

Support from The Faris Foundation has helped bring families from across the country to Houston for innovative clinical trials, with the long-term goal of expanding these therapies nationally. 👧🧠

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's Hospital and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center.

Children diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma (DMG) face one of the most devastating pediatric brain cancers, with very limited treatment options. In this s...

01/30/2026

Congratulations to Austin Brown, PhD and Will Parsons, MD, PhD, on being selected as 2025 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀!

The Seven Blocks of Granite Award honors individuals who uphold the legacy of Vince Lombardi and have made meaningful contributions to cancer research and to improving the lives of cancer patients and their families.

🏆 Dr. Brown is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and serves as the Director of the Epidemiology Program and co-Director of the Long‑Term Survivor Research Program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center. His multidisciplinary research integrates clinical and molecular data to understand treatment‑related toxicities and improve survivorship outcomes. He is a dedicated mentor and collaborator, fostering partnerships across institutions to advance survivorship research.

🏆 Dr. Parsons is Chief of the Division of Hematology-Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine and Director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center. Over nearly two decades at Texas Children’s, he has built a nationally recognized career in precision oncology, advancing genomic testing and targeted therapies while serving in key leadership roles that advance pediatric cancer care, research and education.

Please join us in celebrating this achievement! 👏

Dr. Parsons and Dr. Brown were honored at the 52nd annual Lombardi Award ceremony. Learn more about the Seven Blocks of Granite Award: https://www.lombardiaward.org/sevenblocksofgranite



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

01/26/2026

01/21/2026

🎉 It’s a pleasure to announce the latest Texas Children's Cancer & Hematology 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗼 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 winners! Each quarter, these awards recognize staff who go above and beyond for patients & colleagues. Read more about our incredible winners below (pictured, L-R top to bottom rows):

★ 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀, Senior Coordinator, Main Campus: Annually, Diandra coordinates onboarding and credentialing for 160+ faculty and new hires, while supporting 70+ rotating students and residents. Doing it all with a smile, she is known for her professionalism and helpful spirit.

★ 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻, RN, Main Campus: Deborah is a trusted night-shift leader who serves in various roles, providing steady communication and compassionate oversight that keeps after-hours care running smoothly.

★ 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘀, RN, Main Campus: Manon is a versatile infusion room nurse known for her attention to detail, flexibility and kindness. She's a true team player, generously helping everyone who needs it.

★ 𝗗𝗲𝗞𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗻, MA, Main Campus: DeKeisha's clear, efficient, and effective communication makes her a vital member of our team. Her interactions with patients, families, and staff are always thoughtful, respectful, and compassionate.

★ 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗯𝗶𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻, RN, Main Campus: Debbie is an inpatient nurse known for forming powerful bonds with patients, always finding ways to make a difference in their lives. Her care, advocacy and presence leave lasting impressions on families.

★ 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀, MA, Main Campus: Jamee efficiently manages a high volume of radiology scheduling needs — often on short notice — while maintaining calm, clarity and respect in every interaction with families and clinical teams. She is an outstanding asset to our service.

★ 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗞𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗵, RN, Main Campus: Clare's flexibility, approachability, and clinical expertise make her an excellent leader of the inpatient BMT unit. Her warmth and strong interpersonal skills create a collaborative environment where each team member feels valued.

★ 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘁, RPH, Main Campus: Monique is an exceptional pharmacist who expertly handles medication verification and consistently goes the extra mile to resolve issues. Her dedication and collaborative spirit help keep the clinic running smoothly.

★ 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘇, Interpreter, Main Campus: Though Brenda has only recently joined the team, she has already strengthened communication for Spanish‑speaking families through expert interpretation on rounds, patient education, and clinic tours. She’s making a real impact.

★ 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘇, MA, McAllen: Bertha is a joyful, reassuring presence at the Vannie Cook Clinic, helping patients and staff daily. Her warmth eases patient fears and brightens everyone’s day.

★ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘀, MA, Main Campus: Regina is a highly trusted scheduler who coordinates imaging efficiently and collaborates across departments to reduce sedation needs and optimize patient care. She is kind, hardworking, and plays a crucial role in the timely care of our patients.

👏 Congratulations to our 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗼 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 recipients — thank you for the impact you make every day.



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