Dear Patient/Parent:

You/Your child (hereafter referred to as you) has been diagnosed with cancer. Today, due in a large part to research studies, most pediatric cancers are curable. The Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco and the Northern California Children's Hematology and Oncology Medical Group employ members of the Pediatric Oncology team. This team works together to provide the most up-to-date and available treatment regimens to you through the National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored Pediatric/Children's Oncology (POG/COG) Cooperative Group.

This national organization is dedicated to pediatric cancer research. New and innovative studies are being evaluated on an ongoing basis. New chemotherapy drugs, available only to study patients, are often used. The goal of these studies is to produce improved, less toxic and more effective anticancer treatment/therapy.

The cancer that you have may be one of the types currently being studied by POG/COG. If it is, we will ask you to participate in the study. Any time you are involved in an investigational study as a research participant, we are required to explain the treatment in detail and have you sign a consent form. A signed copy of the consent form will be given to you. In addition, we hope to make a “Roadmap,” a guide indicating the type and timing of therapy available to you.

A member of the research team works with your doctor. The research staff works with you, your physicians, nurses and POG/COG headquarters. They will ensure you are meeting study requirements and keep your records updated. The research staff may be in contact with you and your local physician (PCP) to update study data on therapy, laboratory work and other studies performed outside of this facility,

If you have questions about your POG/COG study, please contact a member of the research staff listed below. Your doctor and/or nurse can respond to your questions as well.

POG/COG Protocol #: _______________
Date on Study: ____________________

Protocol Coordinator: Stephanie Hill-Draughn, CCRA 916-733-1997
Research Assistant: Jennifer Hubert, CRA 916-733-1889