Gift from a Child

Advancing Brain Tumor Research Through Tissue Donation

Brain tumors are the second most common type of cancer in children and the leading cause of childhood death. Losing a child to a brain tumor can be one of the toughest things a family goes through. When a child’s life ends too soon, families can honor their legacy by donating valuable tissue used in research studies to find a cure for cancer.

As one of just six Centers of Excellence for Gift from a Child, a national initiative supported by families who have lost children to brain cancer, Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital is able to support families who want to help other children battling cancer. At your request, the Neuro-Oncology Therapeutic Lab at Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital will extract cancerous tissue samples through surgery or autopsy at the end of life. The tissue will be studied extensively, and the data shared with organizations worldwide. These strategic partnerships with Gift from a Child and other medical professionals are designed to accelerate breakthrough cancer research, improve treatment options and ultimately cure childhood brain cancer.

Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital was selected as a Center of Excellence for Gift from a Child because of our ability to grow cell lines using donated tissue samples, allowing the benefits of the tissue to begin immediately. Each sample is treated as a precious resource, handled with the highest level of respect and care.

Gift from a Child is an initiative of the Swifty Foundation, which is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pediatric brain cancer research.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tissue Donation

74% of pediatric brain tumors are curable. While this is a remarkable number, we hope to increase this value in the future. By donating your child’s tissue, you can preserve their legacy and help develop treatment options for cancers that are not currently treatable.

Yes, if you choose to give the gift of tissue donation, the Neuro-Oncology Translational Lab at Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital will extract cancerous samples through surgery or autopsy at the end of life. The procedure will be performed right here at our hospital in Central Florida.

Your child’s tumor tissue will be studied extensively to better understand how the tumor grows and functions, and which methods are effective in treating it. Our goal is to find cures for brain tumors through research to help children battling cancers in the future.

Data collected will be shared with other researchers through the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN). CBTN is made up for 17 children’s hospitals around the world all working together to share information and find cures for childhood cancers.

You can begin the tissue donation process by calling Gift from a Child at (844) 456-GIFT (4438) or by visiting them here.

For additional information, please call (844) 456-GIFT (4438) or email info@GiftfromaChild.org.