Nebraska has higher than expected incidence of rare pediatric cancerScientists are unable to explain the high concentration of this disease in Nebraskans. State Senator, Danielle Conrad, led the effort in the legislaure which resulted in 1.8 million dollar allocation of funds to study treatments including chemotherapy for pediatric patients at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. A group of nine doctors specialize in treatment of these young patients from all over Nebraska. Although Nebraska has a high incidence of pediatric cancer the five year survival rate of over 80% brings hope to those affected. Many have to travel great distances from western Nebraska to be treated in Omaha.This causes hardship among their families.
While many survive the long term effects of bone marrow transplants, surgery, chemotherapy and radiaton cause challenges to education, family relationships, and job opportunities.