Research that benefits children and families!

When I think about the effects of research on children and families, I think mostly about the medical benefits to children and families because the research.  Surgeries, immunizations, chemotherapy, and many other treatments have helped so many children and families for decades and will continue to affect the coming generations.

This year I have a little girl (4 years old) who has fought and beat brain cancer! She is a bright and shining light in our classroom.  She still talks about her port (for chemo therapy) that was just taken out last spring and easily shows the scar.  She isn’t sad about it and tells people it really doesn’t hurt that bad.  She was slightly developmentally delayed in speech because of her brain tumor, treatments, and lack of interaction with children her own age because of her hospitalization, BUT she has made leaps and bounds this year already! She still has some speech errors but recently tested with in a normal range. 

Giving children the opportunity for a chance is the biggest benefit of all research! When I first started this risk vs benefit journey, I couldn’t justify any risk being small enough for my child to be subjected to research.  And then I connected all of the real world situations that we could be in – where research could help. I am now on board (with in reason).