Doctor’s Fight Against Cancer Transforms Pediatric Care and Families’ Lives

PHILADELPHIA, March 28, 2025 — In the late 1960s, pediatric oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans joined the renowned Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) with ambitions to revolutionize cancer treatment for children suffering from neuroblastoma, a cancer with alarmingly low survival rates. Her journey showcases the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, but also highlights her unwavering commitment to her patients.

Upon arriving at CHOP in 1969, Dr. Evans was eager to pursue innovative research but quickly encountered institutional obstacles. After delivering a passionate presentation regarding the urgent need for new treatments, she was told by Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. C. Everett Koop, “Add it to the queue,” suggesting she apply for funding in a year due to existing bureaucratic constraints.

“I cannot wait a year,” Evans reportedly replied. She understood that her young patients, her ‘children,’ required immediate solutions, demonstrating her tenacity and emotional investment in their well-being.

Evans displayed exceptional compassion throughout her career. Dealing with critically ill children, she emphasized a holistic approach to care, addressing not only their medical but also social and emotional needs. In one instance, she took in a mother from Tennessee whose financial situation prevented her from staying in Philadelphia while her daughter received treatment.

“Those children deserve all the affection and support we can give them,” Evans stated. “I want to make sure they never feel alone in this battle.”

Colleagues at CHOP, including Dr. Dan D’Angio, became vital allies in her fight. D’Angio worked with Evans to develop a staging system for neuroblastoma, believing strongly in her vision despite potential career risks. “It was my responsibility to support her,” he said. “We were on the front lines of an emerging battle against cancer.”

Dr. Evans and her team faced various ethical dilemmas and challenges. While some medical breakthroughs were promoted through experimental treatments involving animals, Evans maintained a strong stance that, “Animals are living beings and thus [should be treated] kindly.”

Amidst the struggle, Dr. Evans provided comfort to her young patients like Mia, who faced dire diagnoses. Confiding in Mia about her beliefs regarding heaven, Evans reassured her with thoughtful, albeit theologically imperfect, descriptions to bring her calm during treatment. These moments showcased Evans’s remarkable ability to connect with her patients on a human level.

However, the path was fraught with challenges. When Dr. Evans’ innovative approaches drew criticism, she often found herself navigating a labyrinth of institutional politics, primarily fostered by her male counterparts. “Why was this woman given such a senior position at the hospital?” one male peer questioned, epitomizing the sexism Evans confronted regularly.

Throughout her career, she dealt with numerous bureaucracy-related setbacks, including an experience where her request for a mortgage was denied based on her gender. “I needed a husband to sign off on such matters,” she recalled, recounting the discriminatory practices she encountered.

Despite the misogyny and pushback, Evans persisted. By 1971, her groundwork led to the establishment of the Evans Staging System for neuroblastoma, which significantly improved patient survival rates—lowering fatalities by over 50 percent. Additionally, her advocacy directly led to the creation of the Ronald McDonald House, a charity that continues to offer refuge and support to families of sick children.

In the film “Audrey’s Children,” directed by Ami Canaan Mann, audiences witness the emotional rollercoaster of Dr. Evans’s career. The film not only depicts the harrowing realities of pediatric cancer treatment but also the resilience and grit displayed by Evans and her colleagues as they pursued groundbreaking advances in medicine.

“Through it all, my commitment was never for fame or recognition,” Dr. Evans said. “It was always about the children.” The film emphasizes her journey to empower families, affirming that despite the challenges, her relentless spirit transformed lives, resonating profoundly within the medical community and beyond.

“Her legacy is not just about cancer treatment; it’s about hope, resilience, and making a change,” one colleague noted. The tales of struggle found within “Audrey’s Children” prove to be an inspiring testament to the impact one determined individual can have on countless lives.