St. Baldrick’s Foundation Announces a $145,566 Award to Researcher at Indiana University School of Medicine

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Media Contact:
Traci Shirk
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traci@stbaldricks.org

St. Baldrick’s Foundation Announces a $145,566 Award to Researcher at Indiana University School of Medicine

INDIANAPOLIS (October 19, 2011) – It takes life-saving research to Conquer Kids’ Cancer! The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, has awarded a $145,566 St. Baldrick’s Fellow award to Jodi Skiles, M.D., at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Worldwide, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, and it remains the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States. With only three percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation grant funds are critical to continue the battle against this devastating disease.

Dr. Skiles is one of 13 new St. Baldrick’s Fellows in 2011. Her research will focus on vincristine, a core anticancer agent used in many childhood cancers. It is associated with cumulative dose-dependent neurotoxicity, often making it necessary to reduce chemotherapy dosage, compromising effective treatment. There is substantial variability in the way vincristine is metabolized from one person to the next. For example, Caucasians develop neurotoxicity much more frequently than African-Americans. Currently, drug dosing recommendations used in Kenya are based on dosing schemas derived in primarily Caucasian patient populations. This study will help develop individualized vincristine dosing parameters based on genetic predictors, which may lead to improved cure rates, as well as less neurotoxicity in long-term cancer survivors both in the U.S. and in Kenya.

“The research that St. Baldrick’s Foundation enables me to do is invaluable,” Dr. Skiles said. “They have given me the opportunity to make an important contribution to the field of science. More importantly, however, they have provided the funding to fuel the research that will make it possible for kids enduring the battle of their lives to experience less suffering as they embark on the quest for a cure. I am so thankful for the support of the St Baldrick’s Foundation – both for their belief in my career as a physician-scientist, and for their belief in the possibility that better care is actually possible for the children that we treat.”

These grants are part of more than $19.6 million in new grants awarded by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, bringing the total to more than $21 million awarded for the fiscal year. All funding applications were peer-reviewed by leading pediatric cancer researchers who volunteer their time and expertise and make funding recommendations to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s board of directors. The Foundation’s next round of grants will be announced in October.

In 2011, more than 20 St. Baldrick’s events were held in Indiana, where more than 680 volunteers shaved their heads to help Conquer Kids’ Cancer!

“This grant is a reaffirmation that our grass roots effort to raise funds through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is paying dividends,” said Martin Armbruster, volunteer event organizer of the Knights of Columbus #3660 Indianapolis event. “Our many shavees and volunteers are extremely grateful that our fundraising proceeds are being directed back to Central Indiana. We have all been touched by the beautiful work done at Riley Hospital, part of Indiana University, and fully support their research efforts to conquer kids’ cancer.”

St. Baldrick’s signature head-shaving events are the fastest growing, volunteer-driven fundraising opportunity benefitting childhood cancer research. In 2011, the Foundation’s volunteers and supporters have led the way to raising a record-breaking $27.3 million by organizing more than 1,000 St. Baldrick’s events and shaving more than 44,000 heads to stand in solidarity with kids with cancer.

Everyone can do their part to support St. Baldrick’s! To locate or organize an event in your community, sign-up to shave, donate or volunteer, visit www.StBaldricks.org. You can also become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, join our letsCONQUER movement and visit the Foundation’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.

About the St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, a child’s best hope for a cure. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005, St. Baldrick’s has funded more than $76 million in childhood cancer research. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.