Donna Ludwinski

Solving Kids' Cancer UK

Donna Ludwinski is a longstanding parent advocate with deep knowledge of the neuroblastoma research landscape. As the Director of Research Advocacy Programmes for Solving Kids’ Cancer US and a Family Support Advocate for Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, she is dedicated to supporting families on both sides of the Atlantic and helping them navigate and understand clinical trial options. Donna is an active member of the NANT Advisory Council, the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2), and the NCI Paediatric Central Institutional Review Board, and she also serves on FDA paediatric oncology committees.  

Her advocacy is shaped by the loss of her son, Erik, who passed away from neuroblastoma in 2010 at the age of 24. 

Mandy Berriman

Parent advocate

Mandy Berriman is a devoted neuroblastoma advocate whose journey began when her youngest son, Peter, was diagnosed with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma in 2019 at just eight years old. Mandy became involved with Solving Kids’ Cancer UK when Peter relapsed with high-risk disease in 2020. Fortunately, Peter now has no evidence of disease. She openly shares her family’s journey, speaking about the emotional and practical challenges of navigating treatment and the importance of finding reliable, trustworthy information. 

Dr Claudia Pasqualini

Institut Gustave Roussy

Dr Claudia Pasqualini, MD, PhD, is a physician scientist at Gustave Roussy. She specialises in high‑risk neuroblastoma and is the Principal Investigator of the international HR‑NBL‑2 trial, leading efforts to improve outcomes for newly diagnosed high‑risk patients. 

She is also an active member of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology European Neuroblastoma Group (SIOPEN). 

Her work combines clinical care with research aimed at developing more effective and personalised treatment approaches for children with cancer. 

Dr Sara M. Federico

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Dr Sara M. Federico, MD, is Director of the Division of Solid Tumour in the Department of Oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the US. She is an internationally recognised paediatric oncologist specialising in high-risk solid tumours, including neuroblastoma. Dr Federico also plays a key leadership role in national clinical research as Study Co-Chair of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) ANBL2131 trial, a major frontline Phase 3 study evaluating early chemoimmunotherapy for newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma. Her work continues to advance treatment strategies and improve outcomes for children facing aggressive solid tumours. 

Nick Bird MBE

Solving Kids' Cancer UK

Nick Bird MBE is Chair of Trustees and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board at Solving Kids’ Cancer UK. He plays a pivotal role in positioning the organisation as a leading funder of innovative, patient-centred clinical trials, championing international collaboration, and advocating for research that truly prioritises children’s needs. His commitment was recognised with an MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours list for exceptional services to children and families affected by neuroblastoma. 

Nick’s journey began in 2009 when his youngest son, Adam, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just five years old. Over the next four years, Adam underwent intensive treatment in the UK, Germany, and the United States. Despite these efforts, Adam tragically passed away in 2013. Since then, Nick has dedicated himself to supporting families and advancing research. 

Professor Juliet Gray

Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton

Professor Juliet Gray is a Professor of Paediatric Oncology working in the Department of Paediatric Oncology at Southampton Children’s Hospital and the Centre for Cancer Immunology at the University of Southampton. Her clinical and research expertise centres on neuroblastoma and cancer immunotherapy, with a strong focus on developing novel, antibody-based treatments for children with high-risk disease. She is also a valued member of Solving Kids’ Cancer UK’s Scientific Advisory Board. 

Professor Gray is the co-lead investigator of the BEACON2 study. Her leadership and scientific contributions continue to drive progress in childhood cancer research, shaping the development of more effective and targeted treatments for young patients facing this challenging disease. 

Dr Sally George

The Institute of Cancer Research, London

Dr Sally George, PhD, is a Paediatric Oncologist and Clinician Scientist at The Institute of Cancer Research, where she leads the Developmental Oncology Group. A CRUK Clinician Scientist, she specialises in paediatric solid tumours, particularly neuroblastoma. Her research spans laboratory discovery and early phase clinical translation, with a strong focus on ATRX mutant disease. Dr George is an active contributor to major research networks, including the UK NCRI Neuroblastoma Clinical Trials Group and the European neuroblastoma consortium SIOPEN. She is also the Chief Investigator of the upcoming MINT trial (MIBG in Neuroblastoma with Talazoparib), opening in the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Canada. Dr George is widely recognised for her valuable leadership in advancing neuroblastoma research. 

Dr Francesca del Bufalo

Bambino Gesù Chidren’s Hospital

Dr Francesca Del Bufalo, MD, PhD, is a Paediatric Haematology Oncology Consultant at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital. She is a paediatric oncologist who specialises in CAR T-cell therapy for neuroblastoma. Dr Del Bufalo leads the GD2CART01 clinical trial, which is offering encouraging progress for children with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma. 

She is recognised internationally for her work in developing new immunotherapy approaches for paediatric solid tumours and is helping to improve future treatment options for children with high-risk cancers. 

Alan Pearson

Parent advocate

Alan is the father of Cliódhna, who passed away in 2021 after six years of treatment for relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma. Since then, he has become a committed parent advocate, working to improve access to innovative therapies and better outcomes for children with cancer in Ireland. 

Alan is a member and former Director of Childhood Cancer Ireland, a member of SIOPEN, and recently joined the BEACON2 Trial Steering Committee. He also participated in the ALADDIN Course on strategic and regulatory science in paediatric oncology drug development. A biotechnologist with a PhD in Chemical Engineering, Alan has over 20 years of biopharmaceutical experience across research, development, engineering, and operations. 

Helen McCarthy‑Tennant

Parent advocate

Helen McCarthy‑Tennant is a parent advocate whose experience has been shaped by her son Matt’s neuroblastoma journey. Matthew is a survivor of three relapses over more than nine years of treatment for stage 4 high‑risk neuroblastoma with an ATRX mutation. He was diagnosed in February 2011 just before his third birthday and is now approaching adulthood. His treatments have included a high‑dose transplant in his frontline protocol, as well as DFMO, chemo‑immunotherapy combinations, proton radiation, and the MSKCC vaccine. Matt is currently NED and has been off treatment since July 2020.

Helen has previously moderated NPS webinars focused on relapse trials and has found in-person and online conferences invaluable to learn about current trials and meet leading experts and other parents. She feels fortunate that she connected with Solving Kids’ Cancer US via Donna Ludwinski in 2011 early in their treatment journey. She credits Donna’s extensive knowledge of neuroblastoma trials and research connections as an invaluable component of their more than decade‑long experience with the disease.

Yana Tereshkova

Parent advocate

Yana Tereshkova is a neuroblastoma parent advocate whose son, Leonardo, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in May 2022 and treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital. When end‑of‑treatment scans showed residual disease, Yana led a major fundraising effort that enabled Leonardo to access CAR‑T cell therapy in Rome in September 2023. The treatment brought him into remission, and he now has No Evidence of Disease. Yana speaks openly about her family’s experience in the Bambino Gesù CAR‑T trial, travelling abroad for treatment, and the urgent need for broader access to these therapies 

Carina Schneider

CCI Europe

Diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma at 17, Carina Schneider’s own experience of inadequate long-term follow-up care led her to patient advocacy in 2009. In 2017, she became a founding member of the survivors’ network within Childhood Cancer International (CCI) Europe and joined the CCI Europe Committee, deepening her commitment to improving outcomes for those affected by cancer. Carina holds a psychology degree and has worked in paediatric oncology since 2013, including roles as project manager at the Austrian Childhood Cancer Organisation and research coordinator in the psychosocial team at the Medical University of Vienna’s Paediatric Neurooncology Department. In January 2022, she was appointed Managing Director of CCI Europe. Carina now collaborates with a devoted team, Committee Members, and patient advocates from across Europe to build a brighter future for children, adolescents, young adults, and families facing cancer. 

Dr Gabriella Haeems

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Gabriella Haeems is a distinguished Doctor of Psychology and Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, where she also chairs the Paediatric Oncology Special Interest Group. She lectures on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme at the University of Surrey and serves as a Committee member of the Paediatric Psychology Network. Dr Haeems was honoured with the Quarterly Above and Beyond Award at The Royal Marsden in August 2022, recognising her exceptional commitment to patient care. Her acclaimed publication, “Returning to School: A Teacher’s Guide for Pupils with Brain Tumours”, received an award in 2018 and continues to support educators and young patients throughout their educational journey. Dr Haeems’ expertise and leadership have made her a respected figure in paediatric oncology and psychological support for children and teenagers facing cancer. 

Naomi Bentham

Parent advocate

Naomi became involved with Solving Kids’ Cancer in 2012 after her daughter Anya was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. 

Following completion of frontline therapy, and after her family successfully raised over £250,000 to access further treatment abroad, Anya became the first child in the UK to enrol on and complete the DFMO trial in Michigan in 2014. 

Since 2021, Naomi has been a member of Solving Kids’ Cancer’s Parent Involvement Forum - helping shape our projects and plans.

Hayley Blackwell

Solving Kids' Cancer UK

Hayley, mum to Eva (diagnosed 2014), is Solving Kids’ Cancer UK’s Family Support Coordinator. Her personal journey inspires her dedication to post-treatment support for childhood cancer survivors and their families.  

Hayley recognised the growing need for specialised care addressing the unique late effects and long-term challenges faced by survivors and families and championed a service for support. Solving Kids’ Cancer UK now have dedicated Peer-to-Peer drop-in sessions and a six-week coaching programme all for parents who have a child post-treatment from neuroblastoma. 

Hayley designed and led a moving session at the Neuroblastoma Parent Education Conference, amplifying survivor voices and hopes. As a certified life coach and Mental Health First Aider, she combines professional skills, personal experience and compassion to support families facing neuroblastoma, expertly advocating for their needs and helping them navigate treatment and post-treatment challenges.  

Dr Helen Pearson

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust & Solving Kids' Cancer UK

Helen is a Clinical Academic Nurse Researcher and Advanced Nurse Practitioner for children and young people diagnosed with solid tumours at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Chief Nurse at Solving Kids’ Cancer UK. Helen has over eighteen years of experience, bringing a wealth of clinical and research expertise to our charity.  

Helen’s doctoral research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research explored parent treatment decision-making in relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma and co-designed an intervention with parents to support them in making these decisions (www.redmapp.org.uk).  Her research is now looking at the healthcare professional perspectives of decision-making and addressing equitable access in children’s cancer clinical trials. Helen has published with nursing and medical colleagues and has received over £530k of funding from NIHR, Charity grants and Patient and Public Involvement Grants.  Helen is the founder and Chair of the National Neuroblastoma Nursing Group and chair of the Children and Young People’s Cancer Association (CCLG) Nursing Network.  She is also a member of the CCLG Research Advisory Group and Early Career Researcher Group, SIOPE Research Nurses Group, SIOP Young Investigators Education Committee and SIOP Nursing Network. 

Emily Patel

The Royal Marsden Hospital

Qualified for 15 years working across two of the London PTCs Em’s work has included a role as a Practice Educator, moving initiatives forward locally and PAN-London.  Em is currently a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Long Term Follow Up (LTFU) at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton. The ethos of the LTFU service is to provide holistic care to the individual and their family, to discuss and support the physical and emotional long-term or late effects post cancer treatment, and to support the individual in being the best version of themselves. To aid this, each patient is provided with an individualised Treatment Summary and Long Term Follow Up Care Plan, which outlines the treatment received, the potential or known long-term or late effects of that treatment, and the recommended surveillance. Em is also the Co-Chair of the CCLG Cancer Aftercare Nurses UK group.