BART AND CHERRY STARR HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY FELLOWSHIP FUND

Each year, Children’s of Alabama treats more than 2,000 children with cancer and serious blood disorders from across the state of Alabama and beyond.

The Bart and Cherry Starr Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Fund at Children’s of Alabama will focus on blood and marrow transplants for children, which treat and can sometimes even cure blood cancers, like leukemia, and other serious diseases, like sickle cell anemia.

PEDIATRIC GLIOBLASTOMAS RESEACH

Pediatric glioblastoma is an aggressive disease with no cure. The main problem is not how to get the drug at the brain tumor, but how to spread it within the brain tumor.

Johns Hopkins University will test a strategy that spreads a powerful therapeutic over the entire tumor to help eradicate cancer cells, leaving no cancer cell behind.

ANTICIPATING CANCER TREATMENT RESISTANCE

Currently, patients who receive treatment for the most common pediatric brain tumor, Medulloblastoma, have a significant reduction in their quality of life.

The Medical University of South Carolina is working to eliminate this for pediatric brain cancers through a research project focused on anticipating treatment resistance. They are working hard to improve the quality of life for young cancer patients. 

CAR-T THERAPY

Children’s Wisconsin is dissecting the cellular mechanisms of differential outcomes of CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapy) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

By collecting samples from pediatric cancer patients who have received engineered T cells to aid in their recovery, Children’s Wisconsin is able to better understand how the immune system works to fight cancer.

TREATMENT OF RELAPSED OR REFRACTORY NEUROBLASTOMA

This study will use immunotherapy to harness one of the child's parent's immune system to fight the cancer. Blood from one of the parents will be collected and sent to the laboratory to grow Natural Killer (NK) cells.

Since NK cells are good at killing cancer, but not always at recognizing tumor cells, the NK cells will be infused with an anti-body that specifically attaches to neuroblastoma.

DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND UTILIZATION OF A PEDIATRIC SOLID TUMOR XENOGRAFT BANK

Treatment for many pediatric solid tumors has not significantly changed in the past twenty years, leaving children with fewer treatment options and almost none that result in cure.

This research grant will enrich the pediatric solid tumor xenograft program that has been established and evaluate novel therapeutics for pediatric solid tumor types that are traditionally understudied and underfunded. 

DYNAMIC REGULATION OF FUSION GENES IN PEDIATRIC CANCERS

Dr. Keller and his team are working to answer one of the most common questions from cancer patients: “Why did this cancer start, and how can we stop it?”

Their research into gene mutations, the origins of a tumor and whether cancer genes turn on and off could lead to better treatment in pediatric cancer.

PATIENT SUPPORT

Hopecam enhances the quality of life for children with cancer by virtually connecting them with their classmates and peers, providing tablets, laptops, and WIFI access at no cost to relieve the isolation felt during treatment, fostering a sense of support and reducing depression.

PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2A REACTIVATION AS A MECHANISM TO TARGET MYCN

By developing novel compounds to target the MYCN gene, this project aims to decrease brain tumor growth and enhance the effectiveness of existing chemotherapy drugs while reducing the side effects of treatment, which would be a significant advancement in treating high-risk neuroblastoma.

In honor of his legacy, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation was established and works to prevent cancer, provide the best care to those fighting it and find a cure. 

Since we opened our doors in 1971, we’ve raised over $21 million to deliver on this promise. With your help, we will continue to prevent cancer, provide the best care to those battling it and find a cure.

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