Join our team!
Join the St. Louis Children's Hospital Pedal the Cause team and help raise funds for critical cancer research, bringing us all closer to the day we live in a world without this disease. Every dollar we raise remains in St. Louis, funding research at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Siteman Cancer Center.
Siteman Kids seeks to advance pediatric cancer research and improve outcomes for kids and their families. Through funding from vital partners like Pedal the Cause, St. Louis Children's Hospital Foundation and the Children's Discovery Institute (CDI), we are enabling researchers to discover lifesaving treatments and cures for pediatric cancers.
St. Louis Children's Hospital Team Captains
Trish Lollo, hospital president
Dr. Gary Silverman, pediatrician-in-chief
Dr. Jorge Di Paola, division chief, pediatric hematology oncology
2025 St. Louis Children's Hospital Ambassador
Henry, a spirited third grader, is full of curiosity and kindness and doesn’t know a stranger. His days are filled with adventures such as reading “Dog Man” or mastering a ninja warrior course, all while fueling up on his favorite foods—tacos and donuts. You would never guess that Henry has been on a unique journey with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) since birth. NF1 is a genetic condition characterized by light brown patches on the skin and benign nerve tumors that develop on or under the skin. Brain tumors are also known to occur in children and adults with NF1, so Henry has been monitored regularly at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital since his diagnosis at 8 months old.
When Henry was 4 years old, he began to lose his vision. It soon was discovered that an inoperable tumor was intertwined with his optic nerve. Faced with a difficult decision, Henry’s care team, including his WashU Medicine physicians, presented two options—traditional chemotherapy treatment via a chest port or an oral chemotherapy drug traditionally used to limit the growth of tumors elsewhere in the body but not in the brain. Because of the research being done right here in St. Louis hit close to home, Henry’s team was able to offer options. The targeted therapy known as a MEK inhibitor exemplifies the importance of identifying biomarkers and risk factors that can guide early intervention and personalized treatments. Thanks to donor support, these studies drive research forward to ultimately give kids with brain tumors the chance to live healthy lives.
Given how active Henry was, his parents chose the oral medication, hoping it would slow the tumor’s growth and preserve what vision he had left. Not long after starting the medication, Henry’s mom noticed that his vision seemed to be improving. At first, they thought he was simply adapting but a routine scan proved what they dared to hope—the tumor was shrinking in size. Now, more than four years later, Henry is beginning to wean off the medication while his team monitors him closely for any signs of significant growth.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital has been a cornerstone in Henry’s journey. While his symptoms are different from his sister’s, who also was diagnosed with NF1, the family appreciates not only the medical care, but the emotional support provided to the entire family. According to his mom, Henry surprisingly looks forward to his scan appointments and the comforting presence of Child Life Services. The special breakfasts with his parents may also play a part, but his parents are thankful for the fun distractions on these challenging days.
Thanks to the care at Siteman Kids, Henry and his family feel cared for, and donor support has transformed daunting experiences into manageable moments. Henry’s mom says she can’t imagine where Henry would be without the life-changing research being done at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. His medical team has been instrumental in providing a solution for a scary situation. Today, Henry is an active kid taking guitar lessons, participating on a swim team, and reciting science facts daily because of his medical team. She says the research being done at St. Louis Children’s Hospital is vital so that kids like Henry have a chance to live like any other child.
For more information about St. Louis Children's Hospital's Pedal The Cause Team, please contact Kathryn Lodes at Kathryn.Lodes@bjc.org.
