A Mid-Year Reflection from our Founder

Those of us who have had the privilege of spending time at a children's hospital know and understand things that many people do not. We have had the opportunity to see both pain and suffering but also hope and healing. We have been given the opportunity to see life through a different lens.


As I sit in the atrium of Children’s National Hospital while Lila is participating in a clinical study, I am reflecting on the past 13 years over which we have spent a lot of time here. It is so familiar. Like a second home. I see faces that I recognize– the woman at the front desk, the cafeteria worker, the doctor walking down the hall. I see nurses and doctors who I can’t exactly place, but I know they have been a part of our journey. Maybe it is an ENT tech, an anesthesiologist from the OR or MRI, or a nurse from one of many clinics we frequent.


I am filled with gratitude for this place and for all who work here- from top to bottom. I am grateful for their care for our family and for countless other families. And Children’s National is just one children’s hospital, in one city, in one place that works relentlessly to provide hope for children and their families.


I am also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the brain cancer community through the Lilabean Foundation. I am grateful that my daughter is a living example of the need to move the needle quickly towards finding better treatment options for kids with brain cancer.


While sitting here today, I had the privilege of running into and visiting with Lila’s neurosurgeon (who, by the way, is one of our heroes). He told me about a 3-year old girl who is up on the 4th floor who was diagnosed with an aggressive tumor last week. A tumor which was resected 7 days ago and has already grown back along with hydrocephalus which will require a shunt. She needs time. She needs options. She needs action and advancements.


And that is what I am committed to. That is what LBF is committed to. Action. Progress. Advancement. In 2022 alone, LBF has granted over $400,000 to support research which we are confident will positively affect the future for kids diagnosed with brain cancer. Research which will support and inform a faster, more precise diagnosis that quickly leads to a personalized treatment plan with predicted outcomes.


After my conversation with Lila’s neurosurgeon, he rushed off to meet with a family and left his surgical hat on the table in front of me. It struck me as a symbol and a reminder of the relentless passion and dedication of ALL of the people who work here. I have one request- when you are having a bad day, please think about the girl on the 4th floor or one of the thousands of other children in hospitals this summer. I promise that the lens with which you are seeing your problems will change your focus. For the better.


It is a privilege to work on the behalf of LBF’s community of families, patients and donors. Thank you for supporting our work. Wishing everyone a wonderful remainder of summer!

Lobby table and chairs
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LBF's Transformative Partnership with CBTN Drives Groundbreaking Advances Brain Cancer Research

The Lilabean Foundation’s Transformative Partnership with CBTN Drives Groundbreaking Advances in Pediatric Brain Cancer Research

March 12, 2025
The Lilabean Foundation (LBF) has played a vital role in advancing pediatric brain cancer research, providing significant support to the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) based at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. From its origins as a small family foundation, LBF has grown into one of the most influential contributors to CBTN, driving innovative research and achieving new milestones in philanthropy. One of the most notable impacts of LBF’s support is its investment in Project Accelerate, an initiative designed to expedite research and enhance the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas. Through LBF’s backing, CBTN has been able to recruit essential data engineers and bioinformaticians, improving research methodologies and strengthening data models. This investment has helped break down silos and create more robust predictive models, optimizing diagnostic accuracy and advancing AI technology. This initiative is positioning CBTN to achieve transformative breakthroughs in precision care and treatment for pediatric brain tumors “The impact of The Lilabean Foundation's generosity cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Adam Resnick, Scientific Director of the Children’s Brain Tumor Network.” “With this partnership, we are paving the way for the next era of pediatric brain cancer treatment and care. Thanks to this continued support, we are one step closer to ensuring that children with brain tumors have the best possible outcomes.” Maximizing Research Potential and Driving AI Innovation: LBF’s contributions have also been instrumental in maximizing the impact of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) data generation initiative. With LBF’s support, CBTN was able to extract and ship over 7,000 specimens, enabling the standardization of critical molecular data. This data has formed the foundation for AI-driven technologies, putting CBTN at the forefront of AI research and allowing for discoveries that were once unimaginable. By integrating clinical, molecular, and imaging data into a single multimodal dataset, this collaboration is enhancing the ability to create more individualized and effective treatment plans for children with brain tumors. “The integration of this multimodal data is a game-changer,” said Nicole Giroux, Executive Director of The Lilabean Foundation. “It has the potential to dramatically improve how we understand and treat pediatric brain tumors.” Preparing for Future Breakthroughs: With LBF's continued support, CBTN is now poised for its next big leap in research. The foundation’s investment in Project Accelerate has led to the creation of an extensive multimodal dataset, which was instrumental in securing a first-of-its-kind award from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). This prestigious award, focused on pediatrics, combined with a new partnership with Amazon Web Services, positions CBTN for major advancements in AI capabilities and further opportunities for breakthrough research. A Legacy of Impact: LBF’s sustained commitment to CBTN is a testament to the power of philanthropy and the profound impact that a dedicated donor community can have on children’s healthcare. Their investments have not only laid the groundwork for groundbreaking research but are also shaping the future of pediatric brain tumor treatment and care, from bench to bedside. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of The Lilabean Foundation,” said Jena Lilly, executive director of CBTN. “Their partnership has been invaluable in driving forward our shared mission to improve the lives of children battling brain tumors. Together, we are creating a future where cures and better treatments are within reach.”
Bethesda magazine features The Lilabean Foundation hero in January/February issue

Bethesda Magazine Features LBF in January/February Issue

February 11, 2025
We are thrilled to be featured in the Bethesda Magazine January/February 2025 edition! It’s a privilege to share the work we’re doing at the Lilabean Foundation to support families and children and the heartfelt origin story of why the foundation exists. Grateful for the opportunity to amplify our mission and continue making a meaningful impact in the community. Thank you Amy Halpern and Bethesda Magazine for capturing and creating such a heartfelt feature. Click here to read the article and the January/February edition of Bethesda Magazine.
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