Pounding For Parker Foundation

The Pounding For Parker Foundation was born from a perspective that pediatric cancer does not have the awareness and more importantly, the funding for research that it deserves. Our mission started in 2015,  when then five-year-old Parker underwent a series of MRIs, which revealed a tumor on his spine.

A biopsy revealed that he has an extremely rare glioneuronal tumor, more specifically a disseminated oligodendroglial cell-like leptomeningeal tumor. His cancer had disseminated down his spine and up into his lower brain. Like nearly all cancers of the brain and central nervous system, there is no cure for Parker’s disease.

This must change. The Pounding For Parker Foundation is dedicated to advancing research for pediatric brain tumors and improving the quality of life of childhood cancer survivors.

The Foundation focuses on pediatric care and bringing a local focus of pediatric brain tumors. The amount of money going to pediatric brain tumor research is very small compared to other forms of cancer.  We want to change this! 

With that said, our long term goals are to fund researching efforts for treating pediatric brain tumors and to improve the quality of life of pediatric cancer survivors.  Our focuses are on better serving pediatric brain tumor patients with the lack of options for treatment, and supporting quality of life post-treatment.

The Foundation has gifted $100,000 to Levine Children’s Hospital to help fund a nurse navigator position within the brain tumor survivorship clinic. The funds from the Pounding For Parker Foundation focus on survivor wellness and addressing the potential late-effects of chemotherapy.

The gift has ensured that area children and their families are able to receive more one-on-one counsel, guidance and support while dealing with this devastating disease.

Parker is an twelve-year-old who carries an infectious smile wherever he goes. He is funny, silly, smart, serious and a fighter. Parker can and will strike up a conversation with anyone, whatever their age. He loves people and is an avid Carolina Panthers and Carolina Gamecocks fan.

He is strong.

He is brave. 

After 17 months of chemotherapy, Parker’s tumor is now in a dormant state.  This is monitored through regular MRIs.  Advances are being made in medicine everyday, but critical research is required to deliver Oligo patients new therapies that are more durable and extend their lives.

All donations to the Pounding for Parker Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.