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Press Release

$69,000 Childhood Cancer Research Grant Awarded to University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center


December 10, 2014
    • Press Release
    • For Immediate Release

 

  • Media Contact:
    • Traci Shirk
    • 626.792.8247 ext. 250
    • traci@stbaldricks.org

$69,000 Childhood Cancer Research Grant Awarded to University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center

ALBUQERQUE, N.M. (December 10, 2014) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven and donor-centered charity dedicated to raising money for children’s cancer research, is proud to award a one-year, $69,000 grant to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. This grant is one of 40 infrastructure grants awarded as part of the Foundation’s fall grant cycle, totaling more than $2.5 million and surpassing last year’s total awarded during this same period.

Funding from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation will allow the University of New Mexico to retain three clinical research associates (CRAs) for the state’s only pediatric oncology program. The program provides care to a substantial minority population of children and young adults.

“I would like to thank the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for their unwavering support for children and young adults with cancer,” said Koh Boayue, M.D., assistant professor, department of pediatrics, division of pediatric oncology at University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. “Despite the adverse economic climate, St. Baldrick’s has not lost sight of their goal of raising money for childhood cancer research.”

This series of grants, combined with the more than $24.7 million awarded in July to fund cutting-edge research, brings the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s funding total to more than $27.2 million awarded in 2014. Grants were awarded based on the need of the institution and its patients, anticipated results of the grant and local participation in St. Baldrick’s fundraising events and activities.

“These grants are critically important to saving children’s lives, and would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers and generous donors who believe kids deserve better than medicine is currently able to provide,” said Kathleen Ruddy, chief executive officer for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

To learn how you can get involved visit www.StBaldricks.org, and connect with St. Baldrick’s on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Vimeo.

About 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. St. Baldrick’s coordinates its signature head-shaving events worldwide where participants collect pledges to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, raising money to fund research. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $154 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. 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, and the new International Scholar grants train researchers to work in developing countries. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.

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