St. Baldrick’s Foundation Announces $99,165 Research Grant to University of Washington

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Traci Shirk
(626) 792-8247 ext.50
traci@stbaldricks.org

St. Baldrick’s Foundation Announces $99,165 Research Grant to University of Washington

Local grant is part of more than $12.8 million awarded for pediatric oncology research in 2010

SEATTLE (August 30, 2010) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, awarded a $99,165 pediatric oncology research grant to Maxwell Krem, M.D., Ph.D., acting instructor in the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Washington Medical Center.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation currently funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s signature head-shaving events are the fastest growing volunteer-driven fundraising opportunity benefitting childhood cancer research. The Foundation’s volunteer event organizers have led the way to raising more than $21 million to date and approximately $90 million since 2000, making the funding of institutions like University of Washington Medical Center possible.

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

All funding applications were evaluated by the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee and other expert reviewers, who made funding recommendations to the organization’s board of directors. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation research grants are awarded for a period of one year.

Dr. Krem’s research focuses on Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system and the most common cancer for children ages 15-19. It arises from Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells, which have two or more nuclei and often have gained or lost chromosomes. This research will explore the workings of a protein called KLHDC8B, which is expressed during cell division and is altered in cases of familial Hodgkin lymphoma. Dr. Krem will also use blood and tissue samples from patients to find changes in proteins that are related to KLHDC8B. Those other proteins may be important for preventing onset of Hodgkin lymphoma.

“I am deeply grateful for this grant from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which will support crucial research of both pediatric and adult cancers,” Krem said. “I am very appreciative of the Foundation’s continued dedication to fighting this deadly disease.”

This year, at events held in Washington, more than 30 shavees braved a shave to Conquer Kids’ Cancer, raising more than $45,000 for childhood cancer research.

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 St. Baldrick’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.

About UW Medicine
UW Medicine trains new physicians and medical scientists, researches health and disease, and provides primary care and specialty care to patients from Seattle and across the Pacific Northwest. The UW Medicine health system includes Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics, UW School of Medicine, UW Physicians, Airlift Northwest and the UW's partnership in the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance with Seattle Children's and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

UW Medicine has major academic and service affiliations with Seattle Children’s Hospital, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the Veteran’s Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle and the VA Hospital in Boise. The UW School of Medicine is the top public institution for biomedical research in funding received from the National Institutes of Health. Among its 2,002 regular faculty and 4,874 volunteer and part-time faculty are four Nobel Laureates, 32 members of the National Academy of Sciences, and 33 members of the Institute of Medicine. For more information about UW Medicine, visit http://www.uwmedicine.org/

About The St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation makes grants to research institutions to find new cures for childhood cancer, and to find treatments to ensure a better quality of life for patients and survivors. The Foundation funds research projects conducted by established pediatric cancer experts, as well as younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, offering the best available care for every child. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is grateful to its many volunteers (bald or not!), donors and sponsors, including Allied World, Barbicide, Dowling & Partners, elope, Markit, and PartnerRe. For more information about St. Baldrick’s, please call 1-888-899-BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.