The Association for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) 50th Anniversary Conference & Exhibition marked a significant milestone for the entire pediatric hematology and oncology nursing community. More than 900 attendees gathered in Memphis, Tennessee, where APHON was initially incorporated, to celebrate 50 years of APHON “Making a Difference One Life at a Time.”

The opening ceremony set the tone for the week, with presentations honoring five decades of advancements and the stories behind them. One nurse reflected on caring for babies with rare childhood cancers early in her career, only to later watch one of those children grow up to lead the very unit where they’d received treatment. Past presidents filled the room, and an APHON Living Legend and founding board member took the stage to share gratitude and honor the organization’s first president.

The exhibit hall featured the organization’s history, containing showcases of memorabilia, archived publications, nostalgic photographs and a timeline of the story of APHON, educational milestones and scientific advancements. High energy abounded with live bands, a cake-cutting ceremony and special 50th anniversary takeaways. No trip to Memphis would be complete without an Elvis impersonator and hospitality from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.