Friends, What an unforgettable night! We have so many double waves from last Friday. Thank you so...
At the Madelyn James Pediatric Cancer Foundation, we believe every child deserves dignity, hope, and joy throughout their cancer journey. That’s why we are so proud to launch our newest initiative: Backpacks with Barbara.
This first-of-its-kind program was created to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Barbara Friedes—a beloved friend, neighbor and pediatric oncologist chief resident at CHOP and passionate advocate for immunotherapy for children with cancer. Developed in collaboration with Barbara’s family and Burning Tree Designs, and made possible with funding and support from Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY), the program will provide 300 custom-designed, kid-friendly, and medically safe backpacks to children undergoing Blinatumomab therapy at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Why This Matters
Blinatumomab is a cutting-edge immunotherapy used to treat B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). While outpatient treatment allows children to be at home—where they heal best—it also presents unique challenges. The therapy is delivered as a 28-day continuous infusion, requiring children to carry a pump, tubing, and medication bag at all times.
Until now, families often relied on generic or adult-sized backpacks purchased online—options that were uncomfortable, unsafe, and expensive.
Our pilot family told us these backpacks are a “game-changer.” Here’s why:
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Safe & practical: built with dedicated spaces for pumps, medication bags, and tubing.
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Kid-friendly: durable, comfortable, and age-appropriate for even the youngest patients.
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Personalized: each backpack includes a donated key chain, chosen by the child, in Barbara’s memory.
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Peace of mind: reduces the risk of dangerous treatment interruptions that could require hospitalization.
Honoring Barbara’s Legacy
Barbara dedicated her career to pediatric oncology, with a special focus on improving outcomes for children with relapsed leukemia. At CHOP, her research examined patterns of relapse in children receiving CAR-T cell therapy, helping to guide better treatment strategies for high-risk patients.
But Barbara was more than a researcher and physician—she was a fierce advocate for equity in care, believing every child deserved the chance to heal and thrive, regardless of background. She was known for caring for the whole child, not just the disease.
And, she was our dear friend and neighbor. We miss her dearly. And, we developed this program standing side-by-side with her incredible family to make sure we honored her in the ways they wanted most. We love you all so much. 🎀
Backpacks with Barbara reflects her spirit—combining innovation with compassion to support children and families in meaningful, everyday ways.
A Community Effort
Earlier this month, PHLY employees gathered to assemble 270 backpacks at a volunteer event, preparing the first shipment to CHOP. The first families have already received their backpacks, with more being delivered in the coming days.
Making Headlines
We’re grateful that Barbara’s story, and the impact of Backpacks with Barbara, is reaching more people thanks to recent media coverage:
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🎥 CBS-3: New Program at CHOP helps children with cancer while honoring Dr. Barbara Friedes
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🎙️ KYW Newsradio: CHOP releases kid-friendly medical-grade backpacks in honor of Dr. Barbara Friedes
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📰 Philly Inquirer: CHOP receives 300 backpacks designed to help kids get leukemia treatment on the go
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📺 6ABC: Family donates medical backpacks in memory of CHOP doctor
How You Can Help
Now, we want to fully fund this program. Our goal is to raise $15,000 to ensure every child who needs a backpack receives one. As the school year begins, consider funding a backpack for just $50. Your support means a child can get the treatments they need while still doing normal things—like going to school, playing with friends, and being a kid.
