Press Releases


Press Release

$49,036 Awarded to Loma Linda University to Support Groundwork for Childhood Cancer Research


January 19, 2017
    • Press Release
    • For Immediate Release

 

  • Media Contact:
    • Cristine Lovato
    • 626.792.8247 ext. 275
    • cristine.lovato@stbaldricks.org

$49,036 Awarded to Loma Linda University to Support Groundwork for Childhood Cancer Research

LOMA LINDA, Calif. (January 19, 2017) – Childhood cancer patients depend on clinical trials to find better, safer treatments that can prevent lifelong damage as a result of radiation and chemotherapy. Loma Linda University recently received an infrastructure grant from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to grow patient access to its life-saving clinical trials to give kids with cancer their best shot at a happy and healthy childhood.

Funding from St. Baldrick’s, totaling $49,036 will help the institution provide new treatment options for children with cancer in the Inland Empire. Seventy percent of the patient families treated at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) are from low-income homes. The majority of the patient population at LLUCH is Hispanic children. These children as groups are 1.2 times more likely to develop the most common type of childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and when they do, they are 39 percent more likely to die. The participation of this patient population in clinical trials is therefore critical for the identification of therapies that can alleviate this health disparity and effectively treat all children.

Infrastructure grants are 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.

“St. Baldrick’s Foundation has awarded Loma Linda University Health multiple grants supporting both cancer science and clinical research. We support the Foundation with our annual St. Baldrick’s head shaving event. The preparation and execution of event is one of the most energized times of the year,” said Jacqueline Coats, senior research assistant at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and volunteer event organizer of the St. Baldrick’s Loma Linda University event. “Across campus scientists and clinical staff participate in the event to honor children and families battling cancer in our communities. Our last event exceed our goal and previous records by raising over $25,000! This momentum has become contagious and we are excited make our next event even more successful.”

This series of grants, combined with the more than $22 million awarded in July, brings the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s funding total to $24.1 million awarded in 2016.

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

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.

###