A History of Dedication
The Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource Center (Kids First DRC) is revolutionizing pediatric health research. What started as a bold vision has become a powerful collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and families, driving breakthroughs in childhood cancer and congenital disorders.
As we celebrate 10 years, we honor a shared journey built on partnership, progress, and the power of working together to accelerate discovery.
Ten Years, Top Ten!
Discover the 10 Years Top 10 Advancements in this transformative pediatric research initiative:
Ever wonder how scientists unlock the secrets behind childhood diseases? It’s like a giant puzzle! Over the past decade, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First) and Data Resource Center (Kids First DRC) have been building the ultimate toolkit to put the pieces together.
#10 Upgrading the Research Model
Kids First is leading a new research era—dismantling silos, accelerating data sharing, and forging an ecosystem where discoveries happen faster and science works smarter for children.
#9 Patient and Family Engagement in Research Design
Kids First includes families in its research pipeline, ensuring data collection and project goals reflect community priorities and ethical standards.
#8 Data-Driven Publications and Grant Funding
Over 200 peer-reviewed papers and new NIH-funded studies cite Kids First data, validating its critical role in hypothesis generation and translational research.
#7 Cross-Program Collaboration with NIH Initiatives
Kids First supports integrated research through collaborations with other NIH initiatives like the INCLUDE Project, Common Fund Data Ecosystem, and the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI), promoting data harmonization and reuse.
#6 Training and Empowerment of Citizen Scientists
Kids First has empowered patients, advocates, and laypeople to engage with research data through accessible tools, opening new pathways for community-driven science.
#5 Development of the Kids First Data Ecosystem
The Kids First Portal allows researchers worldwide to access, analyze, and collaborate using harmonized data, with cloud analysis tool CAVATICA.
#4 Accelerated Diagnosis Through Genomic Analysis
Kids First built and maintains one of the most comprehensive open-access pediatric genomics resources in the world, with data from thousands of children affected by cancer, structural birth defects, and their families.
#3 Support for Breakthrough Discoveries
Kids First data has contributed to discoveries linking specific genetic variants to the severity of structural birth defects and patient outcomes in addition to subtyping pediatric cancers to help clinicians classify tumor types and choose better treatments for patients.
#2 Integration of Rare Disease and Cancer Data
By combining data from both pediatric cancers and structural birth defects, Kids First enables researchers to uncover shared genetic mechanisms, improving understanding of disease etiology.
#1 Creation of the Largest Pediatric Genomic Dataset
Kids First built and maintains one of the most comprehensive open-access pediatric genomics resources in the world, with data from thousands of children affected by cancer, structural birth defects, and their families.
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Voices of Kids First
At 9 years old, Gabriella Miller was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) — an inoperable brain tumor the size of a walnut. Determined to make a difference before she passed, Gabriella became a global advocate for children with cancer, founding the Smashing Walnuts Foundation to raise awareness and drive critical funding for childhood brain cancer research.
Kids First has fundamentally changed how we approach research. The ability to access and analyze harmonized data across different conditions has opened up entirely new avenues of discovery.
Adam Resnick, PhD, Kids First DRC
Seeing my child’s genetic data on the Kids First Portal gave us hope. It’s proof that researchers are working to find answers, and that we’re not alone.
Ellyn Miller, Smashing Walnuts Foundation
We’re proud to collaborate with Kids First to advance the technology and infrastructure, accelerating progress towards cures.
Amanda Haddock, Dragon Master Initiative
Transforming How Pediatric Research is Done
Kids First has generated critical data and pioneered innovative cloud-based tools and platforms to make that data accessible and usable.
The Future of Kids First
A decade of hope, resilience, and groundbreaking progress. For ten years, researchers worldwide have advanced together — and the journey is just beginning. We won’t rest until that vision becomes reality for every child facing a genetic health challenge.
Join Us
Ensure this vital research program continues to instill hope for future decades to come:
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