The Eve of Janus, which raises funds for the Tri Delta Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic, is Children’s Hospital’s longest-running fundraising event.  For  more than 39 years, the Nashville alumnae chapter of Delta Delta Delta has given more than $3.6 million to the Tri Delta Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic. Throughout the nation, hospitals for childhood cancer have become the national philanthropy of Delta Delta Delta sorority, primarily because of the outstanding work done in Nashville and in the Southern California area on behalf of children’s hospitals.

The Tri Delta Pediatric Hematology Oncology Program of Children’s Hospital is a highly specialized medical facility offering comprehensive treatment to children with cancer and blood diseases.  The emphasis is on family-centered, exceptional patient care and on “translational research,” where innovative therapies are rapidly brought to the bedside.

Although cure rates are up, the incidence of cancer continues to rise in all age, racial and ethnic subgroups—especially in adolescents.  The following facts may surprise you: 

• One in every 330 Americans develops cancer before the age of 20.
• This year, over 12,500 children will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States.
• In the past 20 years, the cure rate for childhood cancers has more than doubled, from approximately 30 percent to about 80 percent.
• Despite these advances, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children, after trauma.

The Tri Delta Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic works closely with the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, which is one of a select group of National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the southeast and the only one in Tennessee dedicated to providing the most promising therapies and advancing research in all types of cancer in children and adults. 

The 2010 Eve of Janus Co-Chairs are Phyllis Ekdall, Amy Tanksley and Andrea Smith  and the Advisory Board Chairs are Mary B. Hammet and Anne Davis. The 2010 Eve of Janus event will be held July 31st at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.  For more information and to find out how you can help, call Children's Hospital Development office at 615.322.7733.