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In this episode, Sally talks with Dr. Anne Bendel, pediatric neuro-oncologist at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis and principal investigator (PI) of the first CD200-targeted pediatric brain tumor trial.

For decades, kids diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma (DMG) have been given a 9–11 month prognosis and almost no options beyond radiation. There has been no meaningful progress in 30–40 years... until now.

Dr. Anne explains how she’s partnering with Dr. Mike Olin and Dr. Chris Moertel to bring a first-of-its-kind immune therapy from the lab into children, and why philanthropic funding is the only reason this work can continue.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What Dr. Anne actually does: As a pediatric neuro-oncologist and clinical researcher, she takes discoveries from the lab and builds clinical trials that test them in kids.
• Why this tumor is so devastating: DMG grows in the brainstem, can’t be removed surgically, and currently has a 100% mortality rate.
• How the new treatment works (in plain English):
  • A vaccine made from tumor proteins teaches the immune system what the cancer “looks” like.
  • A CD200-blocking peptide helps “take the brakes off” the immune system so it can actually attack the tumor.
  • A carefully timed radiation dose helps expose the tumor’s proteins and boost the immune response.
• Phase 1: what’s happening now at Children’s Minnesota
  • Kids receive the vaccine + peptide after standard radiation.
  • The goal is to prove the treatment is safe and find the right dose.
  • Early patients are tolerating it well and going to school, playing, and living their lives.
• Phase 2: the big next step
  • A larger trial through a pediatric brain tumor consortium.
  • All children in the trial will receive the new therapy (no placebo arm).
  • This phase will tell us if the treatment truly extends survival.

Why donations are crucial

Dr. Anne breaks down where the money actually goes:

• Manufacturing highly specialized vaccine + peptide (about $40,000 per patient per year just for drug supply).
• Paying for the people and systems that make trials possible:
  • Research nurses and coordinators
  • Data management and regulatory oversight
  • Long-term safety and immune monitoring

Many Phase 2 trials cost $20 million or more. This team is working hard to do it for less, but it will still take millions of philanthropic dollars to finish Phase 1 and launch Phase 2.

Your role in this story

Because of past research and clinical trials, 80% of childhood cancers are now curable. Pediatric brain tumors are at ~75%. DMG is one of the last, most stubborn killers.

This trial could:

• Give families more time with their children
• Open the door to eventual cures
• Unlock treatments that may also help breast-to-brain metastases, melanoma, and other brain tumors

When you donate, you’re not just giving to a hospital.
You’re buying time, options, and real hope for kids who currently have none.

Join Sally’s mission to raise $1 million for medical research and help fund Dr. Anne’s trial:
Donate at unstoppableStoriesThatMove.com