Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration: Statement on the Johns Hopkins-Led Collaborative Pediatric Radiation Oncology Research Center Partnership

The Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) applauds the nearly $40 million investment that an anonymous donor has committed to a collaborative set of institutions, led by Johns Hopkins University. This strategic infusion of funding will support the development of a world-class pediatric radiation oncology program with a specific focus on optimizing proton radiation therapy and improving neurocognitive outcomes for children with brain tumors.  

In partnership with the donor, Johns Hopkins University, and collaborating institutions, including Mass General Brigham for Children, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Children's National Hospital, SPARC is proud to have played a role in identifying the unique ways in which philanthropic capital could incentivize meaningful cross-institutional collaboration and broad knowledge sharing. SPARC also recognizes that this cross-institutional collaboration would not have been possible without the dedication of the passionate individuals at each institution who are committed to revolutionizing childhood brain cancer care. In providing sustained and flexible funding to drive innovative research, this partnership will enhance the pediatric neuro-oncology field’s understanding of how novel techniques and data-driven discoveries can improve radiation therapy administration and outcomes.  

An investment of this magnitude, specifically focused on optimizing radiation therapy as a treatment modality in pediatric brain cancers, is extremely uncommon. Federal funding for childhood cancer research represents only a small fraction of the National Cancer Institute budget. Within that segment of funding, work focused on the safety and effectiveness of radiation therapy in children is even more limited, as radiation data and related studies are typically siloed from the rest of pediatric cancer data and research. Consequently, clinicians do not have access to the comprehensive data they need to decide how to optimize radiation administration in their young patients.  

This investment is desperately needed to build the foundation for understanding the interplay of treatment modalities like radiation therapy and pharmaceuticals for childhood brain cancer. Critically, it will provide tools and resources to improve initial treatment and identify mechanisms for reducing late effects and increasing confidence in this promising treatment modality.  

Large-scale philanthropic investments like this one can be life-changing for children living with rare brain cancers, their family members who love and care for them, and clinicians focused on improving their young patients’ treatment journeys. The pediatric radiation oncology program made possible by this funding will create a foundation that other researchers can build on to improve the quality of life for children impacted by brain cancer. We look forward to witnessing the long-term benefits of this investment.  

Learn more about this milestone in funding for brain cancer research.