The Emily Whitehead Foundation was created by Tom and Kari Whitehead after their daughter Emily became the first child in the world to receive CAR T-cell therapy for leukemia.
Today, the Foundation supports patients and caregivers affected by cancer and rare diseases by connecting families with trusted resources, advocating for broader access to advanced therapies, and raising awareness of the life-changing potential of cell and gene therapies.
Through patient support, education, and policy advocacy, the Foundation is working to ensure that more families have access to the treatments that gave Emily a second chance.
Every year the EWF holds the Believe Ball to raise money for their organization.
Posts on the Believe Ball
The Believe Ball 2022
“The hope, the trauma, the triumph, the unknowns. These children didn’t sign-up to be royalty in the immunotherapy realm and yet here they are.”
Preparing for a Ball
“We put on the “CAR T FAMILY” buttons that had come in our welcome bag. Royalty, identified by handmade buttons.”
Beaudin L. #1
A bit later the gentleman we had chatted with came and found us at our table, handing Beaudin his program.
“Hey, could I get your autograph?”
Heavy is the Head
“Neither of us took our eyes off of our babies but between us hung the dull ache of what it means for our children to have even a drop of vanity left in their precious bodies.”
Only if we help, shall all be saved.
“CAR T. It’s good medicine, but it’s not great. And we won’t stop until it saves every last one of these kids, even if the people in back chatter while we speak.”
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