Infant Mortality and Financial Stability

Over four million newborn babies are encased in caskets and laid to rest in the world each year (Lawn 399). The comparison of infant mortality rates in the urban areas of Atlanta, Georgia and White Plains, New York shows the real cause of infant mortality: a lack of prenatal care due to inadequate financial income or assistance. With the establishment of free access to prenatal healthcare through organizations such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, underprivileged mothers incapable of affording their prenatal expenses, can benefit along with their infants. This study represents a start in a move toward preserving the future generations through prenatal care

The present and future opportunities of the Rare Cancer Network: an international consortium for advancement of oncologic care

To date, the Rare Cancer Network (RCN) has initiated more than 90 studies and 54 peer-reviewed publications were produced as a result. The Second International Symposium of the Rare Cancer Network recently took place in Istanbul, Turkey on April 17-18, 2015, and update was given on multiple currently ongoing projects, while also giving room for new proposals which will shape the direction of future studies for the group. This companion issue of the RCN Proceedings summarized the findings of this meeting, while also serving as a call for fresh projects and papers which will continue to energize the group and advance the oncologic science. A brief introduction to the principles, history, and vision of the RCN was also included. To review, the academic year of 2014-15 marked an enormous success for the international members of the RCN, with the generation of 8 fully published papers and more than 12 newly proposed topics. By the collective efforts of all RCN members, in the future, we look forward to the upcoming opportunities in continuing to advance the standard of chemo-and radiotherapeutic oncologic care for selected rare tumor topics. The studies of these rare cancers often do not allow the design and execution of prospectively enrolled trials; however, these uncommon malignancies do impact the humankind and add to its suffering globally in significant ways