Support

Support groundbreaking child health research at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Infantile hemangiomas and related conditions:


Dr. Dawn Siegel, a pediatric dermatologist at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Stanford Health Care, is passionate about identifying underlying genetic causes of infantile hemangioma and related conditions and developing innovative treatments for children. Affecting 5 percent of newborns, hemangiomas are the most common vascular birthmark. Far more than a cosmetic issue, infantile hemangiomas are vascular tumors that grow rapidly in the first few months of life. Infantile hemangiomas are often called strawberry birthmarks. They can cause a range of medical problems, including bleeding, pain, airway obstruction, loss of vision, and difficulty feeding. Commonly found on the face, these tumors can also cause permanent scarring. As a further complication, large facial hemangiomas can be associated with a collection of disorders known as PHACE. Comprising posterior fossa brain abnormalities, hemangiomas, arterial anomalies, cardiac defects including coarctation of the aorta, and eye anomalies, PHACE increases the risk of stroke, moyamoya vasculopathy, and growth delay. Individuals with PHACE can also experience hearing and dental problems. To date there are no effective therapies to prevent these complications in PHACE. Dr. Siegel founded the PHACE International Clinical Registry and Genetic Repository in 2006 and is working to determine the risk factors for complications in hemangiomas and PHACE and then to develop pharmacologic treatments. As an international expert in PHACE, Dr. Siegel is ideally poised to lead a Stanford team seeking the genetic cause and treatments for hemangiomas and PHACE.

Interactive Technology for Skin: Community Outreach, Research, and Education (iTS-CORE) to address Health Disparities in Pediatric Dermatology

Skin disease affects one out of every four children in the United States, with children of color suffering a disproportionate burden. In under-resourced and predominantly Spanish-speaking communities, limited access to pediatric dermatologists results in poorly controlled disease, missed school, and frequent emergency department visits. We are working to address disparities in access to care by collaborating with community health centers and academic health centers in underserved areas. The initial phase will involve determining the scope of the need for dermatology care and identifying barriers of this care. In the second phase, we will work toward solutions. Another approach to improve health equity for children with skin disease is with innovative skin health and science education programs. Through informed dialogues with stakeholders, including community advisors, teachers, and students, we have developed an interactive educational workshop, the Skin Community Outreach for Research and Education (iTS-CORE). Our goal is to create a novel educational program that supports diversity and inclusion in skin health and skin science education. Examples of skin science activities at our middle and high school level workshops will include: demonstrations of the non-invasive imaging cutting edge imaging technologies, artificial intelligence in diagnosing skin cancer, and application of scientific instruments to measure skin health. We will use augmented reality technology to enhance the experience for students. Skin health topics related to acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and general skin care will be developed based on input from community advisors. Our team is passionate about improving heath equity for children with skin disease in under-resourced communities. Your support will be critical for the development of solutions to address health disparities through research and education.

About your donation

Motivated by the need to improve the care of infants and children with hemangiomas, PHACE and skin disease, Dr. Siegel is working to identify the cause of these conditions, barriers to care and improve education and treatment.  Your support will ensure Dr. Siegel can advance solutions to these important problems. Your gift will support funding of a research coordinator, research fellow and related research expenses in the Siegel lab under the direction of Dr. Dawn Siegel.

All donations are 100% tax deductible. Funds will be received by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and placed directly into Dr. Siegel’s Research Fund for the Stanford clinical research program.

Please add a note with your gift stating your designation towards Dr. Siegel Lab. Thank you!

If you would like to discuss a stock gift, please email gift.processing@lpfch.org or call (650) 497-8141.

Please mail checks to:

Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health

Attn: Advancement Services

400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 340

Palo Alto, CA 94301

Please add a note with your gift stating your designation towards Dr. Siegel Lab. Thank you!

The joy of getting to know families on a personal level and making a difference in their lives drives me to continue to help make discoveries that will lead to better treatments for their skin conditions.