When Atticus was 9 years old, his family got the call no one ever wants to receive. His persistent headaches were caused by a large brain tumor. Right away he had surgery to remove it at a local hospital. Next, he needed not only chemotherapy but also proton therapy, a precise form of radiation with fewer side effects that also spares healthy tissue.

Atticus could have received proton therapy much closer to home. Instead, his parents chose Cincinnati Children’s because our cancer team is ranked #1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Plus, we’re leading the most advanced proton therapy research in the world. This expertise allows us to give kids like Atticus their best possible outcomes.

Atticus had to relocate for his six weeks of treatment. His parents took turns staying in Cincinnati with him. During that time, we provided his family with more than just medical support. Initially, they stayed in short-term housing but later moved into a fully furnished apartment, available exclusively for our proton therapy patients, provided by a charitable partner. The apartments are just steps from the center and offer both the convenience and comforts of a home environment.

While in Cincinnati, Atticus continued other treatments developed by his doctors from Tennessee. This happened just upstairs from the proton therapy center with our world-renowned cancer experts. These doctors specialize in treating pediatric brain tumors. Their deep knowledge and experience provide patients like Atticus with their second chance.

In fact, Atticus’ entire care team was comprised of pediatric specialists— from medical and radiation cancer doctors to anesthesiologists, nurses and more—because pediatric expertise makes a lifesaving difference for children with cancer.

Why Atticus’ Family Chose Cincinnati Children’s

Atticus could have received his treatment at a proton therapy center just minutes from his Tennessee home. His parents chose to travel to Cincinnati Children’s, just as families and patients do from all 50 states and dozens of countries each year. Here’s why.

Our doctors are global leaders.

Our specialists are internationally renowned for their expertise, spanning from the most common to the rarest pediatric health conditions. This enables them to take on a higher volume of medically complex cases than other children’s hospitals, drawing on this unmatched experience to deliver exceptional care.

That’s why over half of our proton therapy patients, including Atticus, travel for care—more than 1,300 pediatric and young adult patients have been treated at our center since it opened in 2016.

Innovation drives our care.

The same doctors who treated Atticus are also at the forefront of developing new, targeted brain tumor therapies. Every day, our experts work to develop breakthrough medical innovations that advance the knowledge and treatment of pediatric care. These advanced therapies are often available exclusively at Cincinnati Children’s. We apply these innovations daily to create personalized solutions and achieve the best possible outcomes for the most complex medical conditions. It’s why, time and time again, we can confidently say yes to patients with advanced or rare forms of pediatric cancer.

We’re not only using breakthrough treatments for patients just like Atticus. We’re also leading the science to make those treatments even better. This includes the world’s first clinical FLASH proton therapy research that delivers ultra-high doses of this lifesaving treatment in mere fractions of a second.

Our top-ranked teams work together.

Atticus benefited from a wealth of expertise including the #1 cancer team, #3 neurology team, plus our leading-edge pediatric radiologists and many other specialists. These doctors are on the same team. They constantly communicate with each other and make decisions together. This gives families the confidence and hope that only comes from having a team of top experts caring for their child.

That collaboration is one of the many reasons why Cincinnati Children’s has proudly been one of the top-ranked hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for more than 15 years.

Parents are partners in care.

Our providers actively engage parents and caregivers. We involve and support them in every step of care. That’s why Atticus’ mom fondly recalls the support she personally received from the proton therapy child life specialist. It’s also why more than 90% of patients and families rate us a 9 or 10 out of 10 for their patient experience.

In the end, we believe a child’s story is so much bigger than their diagnosis, no matter how common or rare. Because a world where all children live their best life is at the center of everything we do.

For brighter futures filled with possibilities, Cincinnati Children’s is the one.