Sep 5, 2008 7:09 am US/Eastern
Young Patient Stands Up To Cancer
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
In health, the Stand Up To Cancer fundraising special airs Friday night on CBS and two other major networks. The money raised will fund cutting edge cancer research projects. Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl introduces you to one local cancer patient with a special connection.
11-year-old Pearce Quesenberry is getting an infusion of stem cells. It hurts, she feels horrible.
Days later, she's feeling much better, introducing her new found hospital friends, like her IV pole she's named Irv.
Pearce is hooked up to medications and a feeding tube. She was diagnosed with a rare and potentially deadly brain tumor called medulloblastoma in February.
"It's very painful emotionally and physically, and it's very hard to do," said Pearce.
She's had surgery and radiation, and is now getting an experimental chemotherapy.
"In making it more effective, one of the additional advantages is it makes it shorter. But it's also more intense," said Dr. Peter Phillips a Neuro-Oncologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Phillips says the survival rate for medulloblastoma is currently about 70 percent. He wants to improve that to 90 percent.
"At first, I was scared because I didn't know if it's been proven to work," said Pearce.
She is getting the kind of cutting edge treatment that the Stand Up To Cancer project will help fund. And she's among a select group of patients who've been invited to attend the fundraiser in L.A. She has a special new outfit to wear for the show.
"I'm delighted that Pearce is participating in this, I think Stand Up To Cancer is a phenomenal effort," said Dr. Phillips.
"I feel glad that I'm doing it because it also helps them learn, scientists learn more so they can do more research. I want to help them raise awareness," said Pearce.
Awareness about scientific breakthroughs happening is happening at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. And Pearce is excited to see some of the celebrities who will be at the show.
RELATED LINKS:
Stand Up To Cancer
Pearce Foundation
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