REACH child cancer

Each week, three New Zealand families receive the news that their child has cancer, and REACH - Research, Education and Awareness of Child Cancer and Hematology - is looking to cut down on the number of tragedies endured.

REACH will fund the ongoing development of the Circulating Tumor DNA project. This will provide a means for oncologists to better treat childhood cancers by ensuring ongoing treatments are well targeted and effective to improve the life of children with cancer. In turn this will reduce the need for hospital visits and also remove barriers to those who may have poor access to hospital care. REACH will increase awareness of child cancer and its effects and promote the international symbol of child cancer, which is the gold ribbon.

Donations will cover the costs for each child's sample to be researched. ctDNA sampling requires only a simple blood test and can be conducted as often as required. This provides the opportunity for more intensive surveillance and faster clinical response times, at lower cost.