A Struggle and an Honor

“Well child checks are more fun,” says Dr. Applebaum, a pediatric oncologist.  “We deal with life and death. It’s a struggle, but it’s an honor.”

Though Dr. Applebaum notes the hopeful advances in some areas of childhood cancer, it’s the long and painful process of treating neuroblastoma fueling the hours he spends in the lab.

“I try to research better cures. And try to find different ways of identifying patients who are more likely to have better or worse disease and really figure out how we can precisely treat those kids,” says Dr. Applebaum.

Dr. Yee has seen the rewards of research in his long career as a breast cancer specialist and encourages Dr. Applebaum to stay the course for his patients. 

“Today’s ceiling is tomorrow’s floor,” said Dr. Yee. “Pediatrics is the best case example.” 

Believe in Magic

The research lab isn’t Dr. Applebaum’s only playground. 

“I get to watch magicians when I’m on rounds because they happen to be in the child’s room,” says Dr. Applebaum. “I can’t tell you how many art projects I’ve gotten to watch and participate in.”

Both doctors agree even in the struggles of conquering cancer, magic can be found when patients are able to maintain a normal life.

“We need to make [patients] do well, but we need to make sure, in my case, in pediatrics, that they’re going to school, seeing their friends, acting like children. That’s so important.”