Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of San Antonio Child

SAN ANTONIO (August 29, 2016) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-powered and donor-centered charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, is proud to announce that a Hero Fund created in honor of Alan Sanders, from San Antonio, Texas, will support lifesaving childhood cancer research. A St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund is an ongoing way for friends, family members, or groups to donate or raise funds for a loved one. Since 2012, the Alan’s Sarcoma Research Fund has raised more than $120,000.

This year, Dr. Nino Rainusso at Baylor College of Medicine, was named the Alan’s Sarcoma Research Fund St. Baldrick’s Scholar. Based on progress to date, Dr. Rainusso was awarded an $115,000 grant to fund an additional year of this scholar award. His research aims to identify, characterize and selectively eliminate a special group of tumor cells in pediatric sarcomas. Dr. Rainusso is also testing if the patients’ body immune system can kill cancer cells in pediatric sarcomas.

“We are so grateful to have the support and commitment of our friends and community for Alan’s Hero Fund, which gave us the opportunity to name the grant awarded to Dr. Rainusso,” said Judy and Harold Sanders, Alan’s parents. “It is an honor and a testament to Alan’s memory that we can help give additional funding to continue Dr. Rainusso’s promising sarcoma research. We are thankful to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for the opportunity to keep Alan’s spirit alive and help fund childhood cancer research.”

The Alan’s Sarcoma Research Fund was created to honor Alan Sanders, who was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma in his hip at 17-months-old. Alan was a happy boy with an indomitable spirit. Through the four and a half years of his fight, he remained cheerful, upbeat and hardworking in the face of his treatment. After he passed away, his parents started a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund to continue Alan’s fight and help doctors by funding sarcoma research.

Help the St. Baldrick’s Foundation continue to fund the best research, wherever it takes place. Make a donation today.

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation
As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation believes that kids are special and deserve to be treated that way. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts who are working to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers. Kids need treatments as unique as they are – and that starts with funding research just for them. Join us at StBaldricks.org to help support the best cancer treatments for kids.

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