More about what to expect

Certain therapies (or medications) are only available though a clinical trial. Before starting new treatment, your child may need to have specific exams, tests or procedures to determine whether he/she is eligible to participate in a clinical trial.

Although your child may have had some or all of these tests done at another hospital, it may be necessary to have some tests repeated at Children’s Memorial.

Requirements may include physical and neurological exams, MRIs, labs and lumbar punctures. Specific clinical trials may have more requirements than others. Therefore, additional tests may be required, including echocardiograms, audiological exams and/or other specialized tests that may be new to you and your child.

Once a treatment is decided upon, the process of enrolling a patient (the time that passes before a child is able to start treatment) can take from three days to two weeks.

We ask that all families be prepared to stay in Chicago at least one week. Coming in from out of town? Learn more about nearby lodging, and more.