Exciting Research News...and So Much More!
There's a whole lot of exciting news to share with you.
Research
For those of you interested in the research side of childhood cancer, this is for you. Our research grant cycle closed on 9/15 and our experts on our Scientific Advisory Board are reviewing applications from all over the world. We received 41 applications and will be awarding 10 grants worth $150,000 each (2 year grants of $75,000/yr). So, in this cycle alone, we will award $1,500,000 for cutting-edge childhood cancer research. Stay tuned and we will be making announcements in another 6 weeks or so.
At our 11th Annual B+ Golf Outing, Dinner, & Auction, we honored one of the members of our Scientific Advisory Board and an absolute rock star in the world of childhood cancer - Dr. Peter Adamson. Peter is the head of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the lone pediatric oncologist on the National Cancer Advisory Board, and the Co-Leader of the pediatric track of the Cancer Moonshot project. At the dinner, we also presented Peter and Dr. Andy Kolb of Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital with a $250,000 check which represents the balance of our $500,000 commitment to the COG Target AML Project, a national, collaborative initiative of many researchers at multiple sites.
The week prior to the golf outing, I had the pleasure of presenting a check for $50,000 to Drs. Mike Jensen, Julie Park, and Navin Pinto for the really exciting immunotherapy work that they are doing on Neuroblastoma at Seattle Children's Hospital. Thanks to a generous local, Seattle donor, our grant was matched, so an exciting clinical trial is being opened!
Last week, I had the privilege of attending SIOP, an international research conference that was held this year in Washington, DC. It is only the 2nd time in the last 25 years that this conference has been held in the U.S. SIOP brings together 1,800 dedicated researchers and clinicians from over 110 countries all with one common goal - to fight childhood cancer. And you, The B+ Foundation, was represented there!
Family Assistance
In the last 2 weeks, we've helped 3 families of kids with cancer from Puerto Rico who have been displaced from their homes (and hospitals) due to the recent hurricanes. These children are now being treated on the mainland and they and their Social Workers requested financial assistance to help get them through this difficult time as they try to continue their child's treatment at a new hospital. Your child's treatment plan is not something you can take a break from. Thanks for allowing us to help these families
"Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer"™
I've been traveling a lot lately and that's a good sign. There are so many passionate, dedicated college and high school students all around the country who are helping us fight childhood cancers. Sometimes people don't realize how national in scope The B+ Foundation's efforts are. We are partnering with students on about 80-90 campuses across the country...literally from coast to coast.
I often write about the great events that these students organize. Today, though, I want to share with you another way that a student found to make a difference. Abby Greenberg is a student at the University of Alabama and a very active member of The B+ Club on campus. Abby ran for Homecoming Queen and her platform was...The B+ Foundation! She spoke all over campus and opened a lot of people's eyes to the fact that kids get cancer too. And, guess what? The 2017 Homecoming Queen at the University of Alabama is Abby Greenberg!!! Congratulations, Abby!
Thanks for all you do to make it possible for us to help fight childhood cancers!!!
B+
Ali & Andrew's Dad