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CBTN Welcomes Dr. David Kram to Lead Tissue Donation Initiatives

On December 10, 2025, the Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) announced a significant appointment that promises to enhance efforts in pediatric brain tumor research. Dr. David Kram, an esteemed clinician at the University of North Carolina, has been selected to operate in a new leadership role within CBTN with a specific focus on advancing the Gift from a Child (GFAC) initiative. This program aims to promote the donation of tissue from children affected by brain tumors, linking their legacies to groundbreaking research efforts.

Dr. Kram's extensive experience and unwavering advocacy for post-mortem tissue donation uniquely position him to influence both the clinical and research strategies employed by CBTN and GFAC. His approach emphasizes the need for clarity and compassion in guiding families through the often delicate donation process, ensuring that both the emotional and scientific aspects are addressed effectively. The objective is to maximize the scientific value of each tissue sample collected, thereby contributing to a greater understanding of pediatric brain tumors.

As he steps into this critical role, Dr. Kram aims to deepen clinician engagement and reinforce the alignment between GFAC's mission to support families and CBTN’s overarching research operations. Jena Lilly, the Executive Director of CBTN, expressed confidence in Dr. Kram’s abilities, stating, “Dr. Kram brings an exceptional ability to bridge science and compassion. His leadership will help deepen our impact as we expand donation awareness and accelerate research that honors every child's legacy.”

Dr. Kram himself recognizes the importance of post-mortem tissue donation, highlighting that it provides invaluable insights into how tumors develop and evolve over time. These insights enable the creation of advanced research models, which would otherwise be unattainable using alternative tissue types. By leveraging his experience with the Children's Oncology Group (COG), Dr. Kram aims to broaden GFAC's reach and bolster CBTN's relationships with clinical partners across the nation.

This strategic appointment signifies a meaningful advancement in the collaborative mission shared by GFAC and CBTN: to empower families to make informed decisions about tissue donation while ensuring every sample is handled according to the highest standards of scientific and ethical rigor.

About the Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN)

The Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) stands as a global research initiative dedicated to transforming pediatric brain tumor research and care. With a robust network of 35 member institutions, CBTN has amassed an impressive collection of over 85,000 biospecimens and has enrolled more than 8,000 participants, establishing itself as the world's largest repository for pediatric brain tumor data. This expansive resource enables real-time data sharing and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, driving research breakthroughs and delivering essential answers to children and families in need.

For further information about CBTN and its initiatives, visit cbtn.org.

About Gift from a Child (GFAC)

Gift from a Child is a national initiative committed to raising awareness about pediatric brain tumor tissue donations post-mortem. Driven by families who have experienced the loss of children to brain cancer, GFAC partners with the Children's Brain Tumor Network to ensure that the legacy of every child contributes to impactful research aimed at finding cures. More information can be found at giftfromachild.org.