Researchers, doctors, students and families from around the world are converging on Trump National Doral this Thursday and Friday for the sixth annual Live Like Bella Pediatric Cancer Research Symposium, a two-day event dedicated to advancing childhood cancer treatment. The gathering, held at 4400 NW 87th Avenue, is free to attend, though organizers say seating is limited and preregistration is required.
The symposium, presented by Amazon, has grown from a single-day event into a full two-day conference, according to the Live Like Bella® Childhood Cancer Foundation. Registration opens Thursday at 1:00 p.m., with breakfast and a second round of registration set for Friday morning at 8:00 a.m., according to Miami's Community News. Pediatric cancer thought leaders representing renowned institutions from across the globe are expected to attend, per that same report, alongside teams from the University of Miami, Florida International University, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Baptist Health's Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, and Palm Beach Children's.
The foundation says the event will focus on sharing new discoveries and exploring emerging approaches to childhood cancer treatment, with sessions highlighting studies funded through the State of Florida's Live Like Bella Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative, the LinkedIn announcement notes.
A New Digital Tool for Families
Alongside the symposium, the foundation is set to unveil the Comprehensive Childhood Cancer Network, described by Miami's Community News as a free platform powered by the Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation. The network is designed to consolidate resources in one place, helping families discover clinical trial opportunities, access trusted support services, and navigate every stage of the childhood cancer journey.
A study published on ascopubs.org describes a statewide comprehensive childhood cancer network to support care and research.
A Research Connection From 2022
The symposium was the setting for one research connection. A 2022 Live Like Bella symposium connected FIU cancer researcher Diana Azzam with the mother of pediatric cancer patient Logan Jenner, according to the Miami Herald. The Herald reported that the study ran from February 21, 2019, through December 31, 2022, and that Azzam presented her clinical trial at the 2022 symposium. It also reported improvement in 83% of patients who received guided treatments.
Live Like Bella has reported funding more than $40 million for 75 research trials at 11 institutions across Florida as of this year, according to the foundation's LinkedIn page.
