Episode 15: Rewriting the Story of Pediatric Cancer: Discovery, Care and Hope

In this episode of the UB Medicine Podcast, Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, explores how pediatric cancer care is being transformed through scientific discovery, collaborative care, and a deep commitment to supporting children and their families at every stage of the journey.

Joined by Kara M. Kelly, MD, a nationally recognized leader in pediatric hematology/oncology and Chair of Pediatric Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Andrew H. Rogers, PhD, a physician-scientist focused on improving quality of life for young cancer patients, the conversation spans the full continuum of care — from breakthroughs in the lab to long-term survivorship.

Together, they reflect on how far the field has come, with dramatically improved survival rates driven by decades of research and collaboration, including partnerships between the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science at the University at Buffalo, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. They also examine the complexities that remain, from addressing long-term effects of treatment to ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge therapies.

The episode highlights the importance of caring for the whole child — not just the disease — with multidisciplinary teams supporting physical health, emotional well-being, and family resilience. It also looks ahead to the future of pediatric cancer research, including the promise of precision medicine and innovations that aim to improve both outcomes and quality of life.

At its core, this conversation is about rewriting what a pediatric cancer diagnosis means today — and what it can mean in the future — through science, compassion and hope.