DONOR-FUNDED PEDIATRIC PROGRAM
Personalized Cancer Testing. Free for Children Under 18.
For children who have been diagnosed with cancer, First Ascent tests a sample of the child’s own cancer cells against hundreds of FDA-approved drugs and combinations. The results help their oncologist identify the treatments most likely to work, and which ones to avoid.
$0
Cost to families for First Ascent testing for patients under 18
Made possible by a generous donation. A limited number of spots are available
A free program for children and teens with cancer
Thanks to a generous donation, First Ascent is offering its functional precision medicine testing at $0 cost to families of patients under 18 who have cancer.
Who is eligible
Children and teens under 18 who have been diagnosed with cancer and are under the care of an oncologist may qualify. Testing needs a fresh sample of tissue or blood that contains cancer cells, so it is arranged with your child’s care team, often around a planned biopsy, surgery or blood draw. Spots are limited, and our team will confirm eligibility with you and your child’s doctor.
This is not a screening test
First Ascent does not check healthy children for cancer. This program is only for children who already have a cancer diagnosis, to help their oncologist choose treatment.
How it Works
We work with your child’s doctor wherever you are, in three simple steps.
Start the conversation
Contact First Ascent, or ask your child’s oncologist to reach out to us. We’ll confirm eligibility with you and your child’s care team.
We test your child’s cancer
Using a small fresh sample of tissue or blood that contains cancer cells, we test the cells against hundreds of FDA-approved drugs and combinations to find out which ones fight the cancer and which ones don’t. We combine that with genetic information to spot the cancer’s hidden weaknesses.
Clear answers for your child’s doctor
In an average of 10 days, your child’s oncologist receives a personalized report showing which therapies are most likely to help and which to avoid. A copy is available to families on request
Lab-tested insight on your child’s cancer
Personalized treatment insights
We analyze the unique characteristics of your child’s solid or liquid cancer to identify the therapies most likely to work for them.
Fewer side effects, better quality of life
Help avoid unnecessary treatments and side effects by focusing on what works.
More options, more hope
We uncover promising drug combinations, including newer or off-label treatments, and provide the data needed to support their use.
Confidence through clarity
You and your child’s care team get clear, actionable information to make informed decisions together.
REAL RESULTS. REAL LIVES.
When Logan was just 3 years old, he was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer called acute myeloid leukemia. He was treated with chemotherapy and had a bone marrow transplant. It worked for a while, but 14 months later, his cancer came back. His doctor used the First Ascent platform to help guide his next treatment. The test quickly showed which drug combination was most likely to help and which drugs weren’t needed.
Now, more than two years later, Logan is still cancer-free.
Logan, age 8
Up to
83%
improvement in outcomes shown by our approach for patients with hard-to-treat or recurrent cancers.
Backed by pediatric research
First Ascent is part of an NIH-funded, 65-patient functional precision medicine study in pediatric cancer with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Florida International University, across all cancer types.
Contact us
Tell us a little about your child and a member of our team will reach out. Spots in this donor-funded program are limited.
Prefer to talk now? Call 786‑746‑6722.
Your child’s oncologist can also contact First Ascent directly.
Have questions? Read our Frequently Asked Questions