Children's Brain Tumor Project

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Children's Brain Tumor Project

But for families affected by them, every case is one too many. These family foundations and their supporters drive funding, advocacy and awareness for CBTP.
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The community of families that participate in the Children's Brain Tumor Project is dedicated to finding new options for treating pediatric brain tumors by supporting research at Weill Cornell Medicine. The families who participate in the Children's Brain Tumor Project (CBTP) are personally invested in finding new treatment options -- and ultimately cures -- for rare and inoperable brain tumors in children and young adults. These tumors, including DIPG, gliomatosis cerebri, and AT/RT, occur so rarely that they do not get the major funding or attention that research scientists need to find a cure. The CBTP is funded in large part by a network of families who have lost loved ones to these terrible tumors, or whose families have been threatened by such a diagnosis. Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield, Co-Directors of the CBTP at Weill Cornell, have pioneered a neuroscientific paradigm using genomic sequencing and Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED). A Phase I clinical trial is testing the safety of using (CED) to deliver a low-toxicity drug cocktail directly to the tumor site. Bench researchers are using genomic sequencing to identify genetic mutations in each patient's tumor to identify the best drugs to combat them, and investigating new ways to stop tumor progression by blocking signals from bone marrow.

03/02/2026

A cancer researcher in the making 💛

When Kai Harashima was nine, his younger brother Lucas was diagnosed with DIPG. That moment sparked a question that stayed with him for years: Why can the immune system fight infections, but not cancer?

Years later, Kai joined the Children’s Brain Tumor Project lab at Weill Cornell Medicine, working alongside researchers like Dr. Nadia Dahmane. He explored how brain tumors evade the immune system, building the foundation for his senior thesis “Strategy, Subterfuge, and Deception: How Cancer Cells Hide from the Body’s Natural Defenses” and earning his school’s Junior Thesis Award in STEM.

By nurturing curiosity and providing mentorship, CBTP helps train the next generation of scientists and clinicians—pushing research forward and bringing hope to children like Lucas who face rare and deadly brain tumors.

Learn more: https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/2026/02/05/do-something-kai/

Love4Lucas Foundation

02/27/2026

Would you take action to help save a child’s life? 💛

At the Children’s Brain Tumor Project at Weill Cornell Medicine, that’s the mission driving everything we do. Our team is dedicated to researching the rarest and most aggressive pediatric brain tumors—developing innovative treatments that target tumors directly, reduce harmful side effects, and give children the best chance to thrive.

But we can’t do it alone. Your support allows us to continue this critical research, bring hope to families facing the unimaginable, and move closer to cures that will change lives for generations to come.

Together, we can give more children hope, healing, and a brighter future.
🔗https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/

02/25/2026

🌍 Advancing research together

In 2025, top pediatric brain tumor researchers from around the world came together for the 5th International Gliomatosis Cerebri Conference. This rare and aggressive tumor spreads throughout the brain, and no single institution sees enough cases to fully understand it—collaboration is everything.

Co-chaired by Dr. Jeffrey P. Greenfield, our team was proud to see Michael Farid, Rudin Fellow, present his research and Carolina Cocito take part as a featured attendee. Together, they’re helping shape the next generation of discoveries in gliomatosis cerebri.

By sharing data, insights, and strategies, the global pediatric brain tumor community is building a roadmap for progress—and hope—for children and families facing this devastating disease.

✨ Read more and support this work here: https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/2026/01/25/gliomatosis-cerebri-international-conference-hosted-in-london/

02/24/2026

Lauren laced up for the 2025 NYC Half Marathon in honor of her brother Charlie — running every mile for hope, progress, and the families at the Children’s Brain Tumor Project. 💛

Now, the 2026 race is almost here, and we hope you will help us cheer on Team CBTP as they run with purpose, and support life-saving pediatric brain tumor research on Sunday, March 15th!

✨ Donate to our Half Marathon team here: https://cbtpfoundation.org/campaign/united-airlines-2026/

02/18/2026

Behind every breakthrough at the Children’s Brain Tumor Project is a family whose love fuels our mission. 💛

Elizabeth Minter’s incredible circle of support helped launch CBTP in 2012 — a research program dedicated solely to rare and inoperable pediatric brain tumors. Since then, more than 40 families have joined together to raise awareness, strengthen our community, and fund the research major sources overlook.

These families form our CBTP Family Council, coming together each year to learn, connect, and push this work forward with unwavering determination.

💛 Want to learn more about joining the CBTP Family Council? Learn more on our website: https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/2020/01/13/meet-the-families/

02/16/2026

Although we only light up the lab once a year, our work doesn’t stop there. Every light in our hallway represents a child who has fought brain cancer — and in this video, we shine a very special light on Cristian Rivera. His story, and the work of the Cristian Rivera Foundation, remind us why we keep pushing for better treatments and brighter futures.

The Cristian Rivera Foundation was born from his family’s love and determination after losing Cristian to a rare brain tumor. Today, CRF funds vital research to find a cure for DIPG, spreads awareness, and supports families facing this devastating diagnosis.

The campaign may have passed, but our research efforts continue — and every gift, no matter the size, brings hope to children and families everywhere. You don’t have to wait — donate today to help save children’s lives: http://lightupthelab.org/

💛 Honor these brave kids and fuel discoveries that matter.

02/11/2026

⏰ Last Chance to Apply!
Applications for the 2026 CBTP Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship close soon — and we don’t want you to miss this opportunity.

This competitive eight-week program gives two undergraduate students the chance to join the Children’s Brain Tumor Project lab at Weill Cornell Medicine, gain hands-on experience in pediatric neurooncology, and work alongside leading researchers making real progress for children.

If you’re passionate about neuroscience, curious about lab research, or considering a future PhD, this experience can help shape your path. But the window is closing fast.

💛 Apply now through the link below — before the deadline passes.
Your next step in research could start here.

🔗 childrensbraintumorproject.org/summerinternship

02/09/2026

The 2025 No Laughing Matter fundraiser raised more than $750,000 — vital funding that directly supports research for rare pediatric brain tumors, an area where national funding remains dangerously limited.

Events like this are not just evenings of laughter — they are lifelines. They make it possible for researchers to pursue discoveries, accelerate treatments, and bring hope to children who urgently need it. This fundraiser continues to be one of our most important efforts to close the gap and push research forward.

✨ The next No Laughing Matter event takes place Thursday, October 22, 2026 — and we can’t wait to come together again.

You can make an impact today. Support this crucial research on our website: https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/2025/11/03/no-laughing-matter-results-2025/

02/06/2026

2025 marked 10 years of the Rudin Fellowship — a milestone for a program that has shaped the next generation of leaders in pediatric neuro-oncology. 🌟

Thanks to the generosity of the Rudin Foundations, one exceptional medical student each year spends a full year immersed in pediatric brain tumor research across Weill Cornell Medicine, MSK, and Rockefeller University.

Over the past decade, ten fellows have contributed to publications, shared findings at major conferences, and pursued careers in neurosurgery and research — strengthening the future of this critically needed field.

As we celebrate this anniversary, we’re committed to expanding the fellowship and opening doors for more emerging clinician-scientists.

✨ Learn more about supporting this program here: https://childrensbraintumorproject.org/impact

02/05/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield on being named Castle Connolly 2026 Top Doctors.

Both physicians were recognized among Weill Cornell Medicine’s 460 honored doctors this year — placing them in the top 7% of physicians nationwide through Castle Connolly’s rigorous, peer-nominated selection process.

As co-founders of the Children’s Brain Tumor Project, their leadership continues to drive innovation in pediatric neurosurgery and rare brain tumor research, bringing hope to children and families around the world.

We’re proud to celebrate their excellence, impact, and dedication to advancing care.

✨ Read more: https://weillcornell.org/news/congratulations-to-weill-cornell-medicine-physicians-recognized-as-2026-top-doctors

02/04/2026

Although the "Light up the Lab" campaign only runs once per year, our work doesn’t end there. Every light we hung in our hallway represents a child who has faced brain cancer. This one shines in memory of Lyla, and the loss of beautiful children like her inspires our work every day to find better treatments and brighter futures.

Every gift, no matter the size, makes an impact in the lives of children diagnosed with brain tumors. You don’t have to wait until December to make a difference—donate today to help save children’s lives: https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/

💛 Honor these brave kids and fuel discoveries that matter.

02/03/2026

As we look ahead to the Berlin Marathon, we’re excited to introduce one of our dedicated runners, Paula Yanes-Lukin, whose story and motivation embody the true spirit of Team CBTP. 💛

Here’s why Paula says she’s running for the Children’s Brain Tumor Project: “I’m a mom of three living in New Jersey, and I work as a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor at Columbia University. A few years ago, I discovered running and endurance sports — and since then, I’ve completed marathons, trail ultramarathons, triathlons, and even Spartan races.

I couldn’t do any of it without the support of my husband, whose history of pediatric osteosarcoma is the reason I chose to join Team CBTP. His strength and determination have humbled and inspired me for years. Running Berlin is my way of honoring him — and representing all cancer survivors — as I work toward completing the world major marathons.

I’m proud to support the Children’s Brain Tumor Project and the vital research they’re doing for children and families facing devastating diagnoses. Every mile I run is dedicated to them.”

Paula, thank you for turning your miles into meaning and carrying this mission with you every step of the way. 💛

If you’d like to support Paula’s Berlin Marathon run and help advance this research, visit the link our website: https://cbtpfoundation.org/run-the-2026/

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The families who participate in the Children's Brain Tumor Project (CBTP) are personally invested in finding new treatment options -- and ultimately cures -- for rare and inoperable brain tumors in children and young adults. These tumors, including DIPG, gliomatosis cerebri, and AT/RT, occur so rarely that they do not get the major funding or attention that research scientists need to find a cure. But for families affected by them, every case is one too many. The CBTP is funded in large part by a network of families who have lost loved ones to these terrible tumors, or whose families have been threatened by such a diagnosis. These family foundations and their supporters drive funding, advocacy and awareness for CBTP. Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield, Co-Directors of the CBTP at Weill Cornell, have pioneered a neuroscientific paradigm using genomic sequencing and Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED). A Phase I clinical trial is testing the safety of using (CED) to deliver a low-toxicity drug cocktail directly to the tumor site. Bench researchers are using genomic sequencing to identify genetic mutations in each patient's tumor to identify the best drugs to combat them, and investigating new ways to stop tumor progression by blocking signals from bone marrow.