Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is partnering with the Madelyn James Pediatric Cancer Foundation to make long, continuous leukemia treatments easier for children to manage — and to honor the legacy of a beloved young doctor.
The program, called “Backpacks with Barbara”, provides specially designed, child‑sized backpacks for kids receiving blinatumomab, a targeted immunotherapy for B‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‑ALL). This drug must be infused continuously over 28 days, meaning children need to carry the infusion setup with them at all times. Until now, many families relied on oversized, adult‑oriented bags that were uncomfortable, unsafe, and impractical for small children.
The new backpacks — created in collaboration with Barbara Friedes’ family, Burning Tree Designs, and CHOP’s care team — are tailored for pediatric use. They’re lightweight, durable, and sized to fit comfortably, with compartments to keep the infusion equipment secure and tubing organized. Each backpack also includes a small keychain chosen by the child, a personal touch in memory of Dr. Friedes, who was CHOP’s pediatric oncology chief resident and a passionate advocate for improving the lives of her patients.
Barbara Friedes passed away in 2023 at age 30, but her commitment to compassionate, patient‑centered care inspired this initiative. She was known for her work in immunotherapy research and for making sure children could live as fully as possible during treatment.
For children and parents, the impact is immediate: the backpacks make it easier to move around, attend school, play, and sleep at home while still receiving life‑saving therapy. Families say the change is more than practical; it restores a sense of normalcy and independence during an otherwise grueling treatment schedule.
The first shipment of backpacks, 270 in total, was assembled by volunteers, including employees from Philadelphia Insurance Companies, which helped fund the program. CHOP has begun distributing them to families, with a goal of providing 300 backpacks in the initial rollout. If you would like to help support the program, the foundation is hoping to raise $15,000 to fully fund the effort.
Take a look at this promotional video from the Madelyn James Pediatric Cancer Foundation:
More information and link to support the program: Backpacks with Barbara
