Video

Redefining Hope and Finding Inspiration From Children

Author(s):

Barbara Abernathy, Ph.D.

Barbara Abernathy, Ph.D., CEO of the Pediatric Oncology Support Team, explains how she is inspired by her work with children who have cancer.

Barbara Abernathy, Ph.D., CEO of the Pediatric Oncology Support Team, explains how she is inspired by her work with children who have cancer.

Abernathy is a cancer survivor herself, having had polycythemia vera (PV), myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and realizes that adults actually have a lot to learn from pediatric patients. Children, with or without cancer, tend to live in the moment.

Also, Abernathy also learned that sometimes, the term "hope" must be redefined. Hope may not always mean a longer life, but a better quality of life.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
Image of woman with text.
Unlike most GI cancers, GIST starts in supportive stromal tissue, not surface cells, and is classified as a sarcoma, says Dr. Weijing Sun.
Six-time cancer survivor Staci Kirk urges patients to trust their bodies and speak up to ensure their needs are understood and addressed throughout cancer care.
Certain treatments may accelerate aging in survivors, but tailored care and healthy habits can help reduce long-term risks, researchers said.
Image of man with text.
Image of woman with text.
Image of man with text.
Image of Staci.
Image of woman, with text.
Image of woman with text.
Related Content
Image of blood.
August 1st 2025

July Blood Cancer Highlights: Top 5 Updates Patients Should Know

Ryan Scott
As July concludes, the landscape of hematologic oncology continues to evolve, with notable progress in multiple myeloma, myelofibrosis, and CLL.
Cancer Horizons podcast logo
August 1st 2025

FDA Stops Lung Cancer Trial, CAR-T Cell Therapy Is Cost Effective, Novel Drug Slows Fibrosis

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
The year 2024 is now underway. After a busy 2023, we’re now looking back at some of the oncology headlines from the new year.
Image of doctor
August 1st 2025

What Patients With Polycythemia Vera Should Know After ASCO 2025

Dr. Joshua K. Sabari Dr. Raajit K. Rampal
Patients with blood cancers like polycythemia vera, a kind of myeloproliferative neoplasm, may benefit in learning more about recent data from ASCO 2025.
LeVar Burton Helping the MPN Community Through Advocacy and Storytelling
August 1st 2025

LeVar Burton Helping the MPN Community Through Advocacy and Storytelling

Jamie Cesanek Darlene Dobkowski, MA
On this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, LeVar Burton sits down with CURE® to talk about the importance of MPN awareness and the power of storytelling in advocacy.
Image of blood cells.
August 1st 2025

Rusfertide Reduces Phlebotomy Need, Improves Quality of Life in Polycythemia Vera

Ryan Scott
Treatment with the investigational therapeutic rusfertide has proven to be a potential treatment option for patients with polycythemia vera.
From left: Katherine Mast Hagemann, B.S.N., RN, and Dr. Andrew Kuykendall
August 1st 2025

A Unicorn Among Us

Dr. Andrew Kuykendall
Katherine has an exquisite instinct for understanding that there is a context to each patient’s diagnosis that is just as important to understand.