Understanding proton therapy
A closer look at the specialized radiation treatment some of our warriors travel to San Diego to receive, why it matters for children, and how we help families get there.
When a child needs pencil beam proton radiation, families often travel far from home to reach it. This page explains what proton therapy is, why it can be so valuable for children, and how the Rylee Grace Foundation helps ease the journey. If your family is facing this road, we hope it brings a little clarity and comfort.
Proton therapy, in plain terms
Proton therapy is a highly precise form of radiation used to treat cancer. Traditional X-ray radiation passes all the way through the body, releasing energy on the way in and on the way out. A proton beam behaves differently. It can be controlled to release most of its energy right at the tumor and then stop, so far less radiation reaches the healthy tissue beyond it.
The most advanced form, called pencil beam scanning, paints the radiation dose across a tumor point by point with remarkable accuracy. It is the same technology used at the center our families travel to in San Diego.
Precision that protects growing bodies
Children are still developing, which makes the accuracy of proton therapy especially meaningful.
Targeted to the tumor
The beam concentrates its dose where the cancer is and stops there, sparing more of the healthy tissue and organs nearby.
Gentler on developing tissue
Because a child's body is still growing, limiting radiation to healthy areas helps protect their long term health.
Fewer side effects
Less exposure to surrounding tissue can mean fewer short and long term effects during and after treatment.
Trusted for pediatric cancer
Proton therapy is used for many childhood cancers, including brain and central nervous system tumors.
A daily rhythm, close to the child
Proton therapy is an outpatient treatment, and the radiation itself is painless. Most of each visit is spent on careful positioning so the beam lands exactly where it should. The beam time is usually only a few minutes, and children typically receive treatment once a day, Monday through Friday, over a course of several weeks.
Because centers with this technology are few, families often need to travel and stay near the center for the length of treatment. That distance, on top of everything a family is already carrying, is exactly where the Rylee Grace Foundation steps in.
Distance should never be the reason a child cannot reach the treatment they need.So we help close the gap.
The California Protons Cancer Therapy Center
Many of the children we support travel to the California Protons Cancer Therapy Center in San Diego, an affiliate of the UC San Diego Health Cancer Network and one of the country's leading proton therapy centers. Its team cares for both children and adults across a wide range of cancers using pencil beam scanning technology.
The Rylee Grace Foundation is honored to partner with California Protons and Rady Children's Hospital, delivering chemo sweatshirt care packages to the brave kids receiving treatment there and helping their families with the cost of staying close by.
Meet Dr. Iain MacEwan
Dr. Iain MacEwan, MD, is the Associate Medical Director at the California Proton Therapy Center and an Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. He completed medical school at UC San Diego and his radiation oncology residency at Loma Linda University, and he has spent more than a decade treating patients with proton therapy.
Dr. MacEwan cares for children as well as adults, has pioneered a proton approach for pediatric medulloblastoma, contributed to national treatment guidelines for Wilms tumor, and teaches proton therapy to the next generation of physicians. Families we serve are in deeply experienced hands.
Helping families reach treatment
Traveling away from home for weeks of proton radiation places a real strain on families who are already carrying so much. Through our California Proton Family Assistance Program, we help provide temporary lodging so a family can stay near their child's treatment and focus on what matters most.
If your child needs proton therapy, or you know a family who does, please reach out. You should never have to walk this road alone.
Help a family reach the care their child needs
Every gift helps cover lodging, care packages, and comfort for children traveling to San Diego for proton therapy. Stand with these families today.
Donate nowFrequently asked questions
What is proton therapy?
Proton therapy is a precise form of radiation treatment. A proton beam can be controlled to release most of its energy at the tumor and then stop, so less radiation reaches the surrounding healthy tissue. The most advanced form, pencil beam scanning, targets the tumor point by point.
Why is proton therapy often used for children?
Children's bodies are still growing and are especially sensitive to radiation. Because proton therapy spares more of the healthy tissue around a tumor, it can help protect a child's long term health while still treating the cancer.
What is proton treatment like for a child?
It is an outpatient treatment and the radiation is painless. Most of each visit is careful positioning, with only a few minutes of beam time. Children usually receive treatment once a day, Monday through Friday, over several weeks.
Where do Rylee Grace Foundation families receive proton therapy?
Many travel to the California Protons Cancer Therapy Center in San Diego, an affiliate of the UC San Diego Health Cancer Network. We partner with California Protons and Rady Children's Hospital to support the families treated there.
How does the Rylee Grace Foundation help with proton therapy?
Through our California Proton Family Assistance Program, we help provide temporary lodging near treatment so families can stay close to their child. Families remain responsible for meals, transportation, and fuel. Assistance is based on available funding and eligibility.