St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital

Parvin Atabay serves as the chief executive officer of management company Arti Enterprises, Inc. A philanthropist, Parvin Atabay supports numerous charities, including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital works to advance cures for pediatric diseases through research and helps children receive the best treatment possible. In order to be accepted for treatment at the hospital, children or young adults must be eligible through diagnoses or suspected diagnoses of the cancers the hospital treats, or genetic conditions that increase the risk of cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or sickle cell disease and other blood disorders. Patients who meet these criteria must then be able to enroll in an open clinical trial currently ongoing at St. Jude, either at the main campus in Memphis, Tennessee, or at one of the eight affiliate clinics. Patients must be referred to the hospital by physicians who can provide additional information about their conditions and treatment history.

To learn more about enrolling a child or young adult in a clinical trial at St. Jude’s Research Hospital, visit www.stjude.org.

Common Types of Leukemia

The CEO of Arti Enterprises in Encino, California, Parvin Atabay immigrated to the United States at the time of the Iranian revolution in 1978. Starting out in Washington, DC, she attended the Academy of Aesthetics in Virginia and began her career in skincare. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Parvin Atabay donates her time and money to health organizations such as St. Jude's Children's Hospital, a pediatric research and treatment facility whose primary focus is children's diseases such as leukemia.

As the most common cancer in children and teens, leukemia accounts for almost one out of three cancers. The most common types of leukemia that affect children are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

ALL is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow. As its name suggests, acute lymphocytic leukemia progresses rapidly by developing immature white blood cells known as lymphocytes. Symptoms associated with ALL include bruising, enlarged lymph nodes, bone pain, fever, frequent infections, and bleeding gums.

AML also starts in the bone marrow and rapidly moves into the blood. It usually develops from cells that would form into white blood cells other than the lymphocytes. However, it can also evolve in different blood-forming cell types. Symptoms associated with AML include recurrent infections, fatigue, bruising, swollen liver or spleen, tiny red spots on the skin, and headaches.

ACS Research to Eliminate Disparities

After immigrating to the US in 1978 to escape the consequences of the Iranian Revolution, Parvin Atabay dedicated her life to finding ways to promote human and women’s rights, especially for Iranian women. While working as a skin care specialist, first on the East Coast and later in Los Angeles, Parvin Atabay remained involved in humanitarian projects and supported many voluntary health organizations, including the American Cancer Society (ACS).

One of the latest ACS research studies, conducted by professor Karen Freund, focuses on cancer care for patients of color, with low income, or with housing insecurity. People belonging to these groups are less likely to get proper cancer care, in part because of the many concerns that come before their own health. The solution that Karen Freund proposes is that of patient navigators, meaning trained laypeople who can help patients diagnosed with cancer get the care they need. Their work consists of making sure cancer care is not neglected while also helping patients navigate the complex health care system.

Research showed how patients dealing with social disparities who received patient navigation had the same completion of treatment rate as other more advantaged patients. This meant no delays in treatment that are usually common in patients of color or with low income.

However, more research is needed for patient navigation to become a standard of care and to be customized for each patient. The ACS grant will allow professor Freund to continue with her research on health disparities for the next decade.

Volunteering with the ACS CAN

Based in Los Angeles, California, Parvin Atabay is CEO of Arti Enterprises, a medical management company that oversees surgery centers. In her free time, Parvin Atabay enjoys donating time and money to the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The American Cancer Society operates based on a mission to free the world from cancer. To achieve this goal, the nonprofit funds and conducts research, provides support to patients, and increases awareness about preventive measures. The organization relies heavily on generous support from volunteers.

There are many ways to lend your time to the American Cancer Society. One option is to volunteer with the Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), which is ideal for those with a passion for politics. ACS CAN volunteers work to ensure that leaders are taking productive steps toward eliminating cancer. These volunteers meet with legislators, make phone calls, and plan events. So far, ACS CAN has been instrumental in helping 35 states go smoke-free, as well as increasing funding for cancer research at the National Institutes of Health.

For more information about volunteering with ACS CAN or other opportunities, visit https://www.cancer.org/involved/volunteer/virtual.html.