For 37 years Festival of Trees has been the quintessential holiday event, bringing sights, sounds and warm feelings of the season – all while raising funds for children with cancer. In fact, over the years this tradition has become the largest special event fundraiser for Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, a Children’s Foundation initiative.
The festive display of beautifully and uniquely designed trees, wreaths, and other holiday items (which are available for purchase) raises funds to support pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Proceeds from Festival of Trees are a crucial source of support for innovative research projects that help advance the science and practice of pediatric health care for generations to come. Since its start, Festival of Tress has raised more than $8 million for Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
Many thanks to the generous sponsors, donors, and volunteers who make Festival of Trees a success. For details about this year’s event which runs from November 21-28 at the Ford Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, click here.
The following list outlines the ongoing research projects that have been funded in 2021 because of Festival of Trees’ support:
Impact of SARS-Cov-2 Pandemic on Traumatic Injuries in a Pediatric Emergency Department
Trauma visits to Pediatric Emergency Departments and injury types have changed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This pilot study will investigate the pattern of injuries in children over time and identify the social factors specific to the pandemic that are associated with increased injuries, with the goal to help plan preventive community interventions.
Effects of Cannabidiol on Anxiety and Behavioral Problems Among Children with Epilepsy
Cannabidiol (CBD) is currently used as a medication for treating seizures in children with epilepsy. Anxiety affects up to 50% of these children and may precipitate seizures. This pilot study will break new ground in understanding CBD as a potential treatment for childhood anxiety in children with epilepsy.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Therapies in Children
Some children exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 illness, SARS-CoV-2, developed inflammation and became sick enough to require care in the intensive care unit. This new illness, which led to heart failure and shock in some children, was named Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). This study will determine which combination of therapies is most effective in helping children recover quickly from MIS-C.
Model for Extubation Readiness Timing Among Preterm Infants
Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is critical for many extremely preterm infants to maintain adequate oxygen levels. The ability of clinicians to accurately predict when an infant is ready to be successfully extubated (removed from mechanical ventilation) is limited and 25%-40% of infants fail and must restart IMV. This multi-center hospital study aims to develop an extubation readiness estimator to help clinicians accurately predict when a preterm infant is ready for a successful extubation, improving outcomes for these babies.
Functional Brain Mapping for Epilepsy Patients Undergoing Responsive Neurostimulation Therapy
Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) therapy is effective in reducing epileptic seizure frequency in children whose seizures are not controlled by medication and who are not eligible for surgical removal of epileptic brain tissues because their seizure focus is near functionally important brain regions. This project will determine how RNS reduces seizure frequency and improves cognitive outcomes for speech and language in children with epilepsy.
Children’s Research Center of Michigan
Support for the Children’s Research Center of Michigan (CRCM) provides mentoring and assistance to physician investigators for the development and conduct of pediatric research projects. The goal of the CRCM is to support education and innovation to find cures for childhood diseases, improving outcomes and the quality of life for children in our community.
