About the Society

The Nejat International Childhood Cancer Research Society is the personal response of two parents, Nejat and Elizabeth Munisoglu, to the death of their son, Nejat Munisoglu, Jr., from cancer at the age of 15.
 

By all accounts, Nejat Jr. was the quintessential American kid who typified the ‘melting pot’ that is American society: His father, a professional who had immigrated to the United States from Turkey; his mother, an American with family ties that could be traced back to John Hancock and the American Revolution. He was a charming, bright, all-around kid with a fascination for oceanography and the exploits of Jacques Cousteau, a love of sports, and had lots of friends. He was the picture of health, with freckled rosy cheeks, a full head of curly dark blond hair, and bright blue eyes full of promise.

Then, at the age of 13, came the diagnosis: cancer – embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.

Stunned, frightened, incredulous and devastated by the awful reality, the Munisoglu family was thrust into a world of children’s cancer that they had never known existed. To their amazement, they learned that in the U.S. cancer kills more children than any other disease. They learned that the biggest slice of the research funds “pie” is allocated to the adult cancers – breast, lung, prostate, etc. – with children’s cancer receiving a mere sliver in comparison. And, lastly, they learned that unless a child has access to the most advanced care available in the U.S. and Europe, chances of survival are grim indeed.

For two years their son received the most advanced treatment available, from the best pediatric oncology teams that anyone could hope for in two leading medical institutions. But it was too late, the metastasis was too widespread.

Determined to make a difference for other children facing cancer, Nejat and Elizabeth Munisoglu founded this Society. They decided to include their son’s name in the title, because the word “Nejat” is more than just a name. It is an ancient word found in both Farsi and Arabic. In Farsi it means “survival.” In Arabic it means “salvation.” Thus, while it serves to honor his life and memory, it also expresses hope for survival for all children afflicted by cancer.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Society is governed by a board of 6 volunteer Directors who donate their time and energy:

Gene Block, Chancellor, University of California at Los Angeles (ex officio member)
Nejat Munisoglu, retired former businessman
Hon. Elizabeth Munisoglu, Commissioner, Los Angeles County Superior Court
Allen D. Field, Retired attorney, former Bureau Director, District Attorney’s Office
Valerie Aenlle-Rocha, Deputy District Attorney, Grand Jury Advisor, Los Angeles County
Hon. Hector Guzman, Judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court

MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD

For advice and assistance in the definition and implementation of short and long-term goals for the international outreach programs, the Nejat International Childhood Cancer Research Society’s activities benefit from the combined knowledge of a Medical Advisory Board, consisting of distinguished physicians known internationally.

Medical Advisors to the Society are:

Dr. Edward R. B. McCabe, M.D., PhD. - full bio
Dr. McCabe is Professor and Executive Chair of the UCLA Department of Pediatrics, and Physician-in-Chief of Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA.

Dr. Kathleen Sakamoto, M.D., PhD. - full bio
Dr. Sakamoto is Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA.

Dr. Ted Moore, M.D. - full bio
Dr. Moore is Associate Professor of Pediatrics & Clinical Director, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. He is also the Director of the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program and the UCLA Site Director for the Glaser Pediatric Research Network.

Dr. Cecilia Fu, M.D. - full bio
Dr. Fu is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, and the Associate Clinical Director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. She is also the Principle Investigator of the Children’s Oncology Group for the Division.

Dr. Gregory J. Del Zoppo, M.D., PhD. - full bio
Dr. Del Zoppo is Professor of Medicine (in hematology) and Adjunct Professor of Neurology at the University of Washington.