The Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. Continues 35-Year Commitment to Fund Regional Childhood Cancer Research and Programs With $500K in Grants

COLUMBIA, Md., August 25, 2020 (Newswire.com) - The Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, committed to funding locally-based researchers, programs and facilities until every child is assured a healthy future, is proud to announce that it will award grants to six local pediatric oncology researchers and fund a range of local programs this year. With this 2020 allocation of funds, CCF has raised over $40M for local research, hospitals, and programs dedicated to helping children with cancer since CCF's founding in 1983.

"Despite the impact that COVID-19 has had on our own funding sources, we were determined to fulfill our mission this year," says CCF President Tasha Museles. "Research has been so drastically impacted by lab shutdowns, reallocations, and canceled funding. Additionally, children have had to continue their treatments with minimal programmatic supports. Fortunately, thanks in part to a few key supporters, CCF is able to provide limited funding to the most promising of pediatric cancer programs and research in our community. CCF extends our deepest appreciation to Giant Food and its shoppers, who continue to provide hope to thousands of pediatric cancer patients."

Every year, CCF tasks an independent panel to review and select submitted proposals. Selected research projects often seek to identify innovative treatments for a range of cancer types such as leukemia, rhabdomyosarcoma, glioblastoma and Ewing sarcoma. As a local institution, CCF funds researchers who conduct their work in the Maryland, D.C., and N. Virginia area.

2020 Research Awardees:

Children's National Health System

• Hema Dave, M.D., for research on Hodgkin/non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Brian Rood, M.D, for research on Medullablastoma

Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center

• Ayküt Uren, M.D., for research on Ewing Sarcoma

Johns Hopkins Medicine

• Christine Pratilas, M.D. and Nicolas Llosa, M.D. for research on nerve sheath cancer

National Cancer Institute/ National Institutes of Health

• Yong Yean Kim, M.D., Ph.D., for research on Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Russell Sundby, M.D. CCF Giant Food NextGen Research Awardee for research on peripheral nerve sheath cancer

This year, CCF will also provide support to nine area organizations. Programmatic funding includes nutrition and exercise programs, sponsoring young patients to attend a local camp for free, melanoma screenings, and technology programs, allowing school-aged patients to keep up with schoolwork during their treatments.

"While we always strive to do more, especially at such a difficult time, we are grateful to play our part in moving our community's critical research forward and help provide some supports to the children braving this fight," says Museles.

Awardees will be recognized on Nov. 12, 2020, during the 36th Annual CCF Gala, which will be a virtual event for this year. More information will be made available on the CCF Website: www.childrenscancerfoundation.org/ccf-gala.

Source: The Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc.