Every year, about 2,500 kids in the U.S. are diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common type of childhood cancer.
For kids and families, treatment often means countless hospital visits, being poked with needles, and receiving harsh therapies that take a toll on their bodies and spirits. But thanks to supporters like you, research has made a breakthrough that is changing the way many kids experience cancer treatment.
The Backpack That Gives Childhood Back
A new treatment called blinatumomab — or “blina” — works by training the immune system to hunt down leukemia cells. Instead of being confined to hospital rooms, kids now receive this lifesaving therapy through a portable backpack pump.
Treatment is given in two 28-day cycles, with a break in between. Instead of spending months in the hospital, kids can now carry their treatment with them—giving them the freedom to walk, play, go to school, and enjoy being kids again, all while receiving therapy that is pushing survival rates higher than ever before.
One parent describes it best:
“She felt better on the blina backpack. I felt like I finally had my kid back. She was stronger, she was eating again, and her hair even started growing back. She was able to do everything the other kids were doing. She went to school, she danced, she played on the playground, she could run and jump around.” —Grace Siegfried, Julia’s mom
Send Kids’ Cancer Packing
Blinatumomab didn’t appear overnight. It’s the result of research and clinical trials made possible by people just like you. St. Baldrick’s has provided more than $101 million in funding to the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), making lifesaving discoveries like this possible.
Now, through the Send Kids’ Cancer Packing™ Backpack Challenge, you can step into the shoes of kids fighting cancer.
How the Challenge Works:
- Sign Up. Get your fundraising page and a special St. Baldrick’s backpack delivered to you.
- Carry Your Backpack. Wear it for 28 days or 28 miles to raise awareness and spark support.
- Fundraise with Support. Set your goal and use your digital toolkit, dedicated St. Baldrick’s coach, and other resources to help you along the way.
You Pack the Power to Take Childhood Back from Cancer
This challenge isn’t just about carrying a backpack. It’s about carrying the weight of childhood cancer alongside kids who shouldn’t have to face it alone.
When you take on the challenge, you’re raising money to help fund the research to find cures that are still needed. You’re also giving kids the chance to get back to laughing, playing, learning, and simply living like kids again.
