Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of Chicago Child

CHICAGO (September 15, 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, Just Do It…and be done with it, created in honor of St. Baldrick’s Honored Kid Sara Martorano, from Chicago, Ill., 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 “Just Do It…and be done with it” Hero Fund has raised more than $300,000.

The Just Do It…and be done with it Hero Fund was created by Joe and Erin Martorano in honor of their daughter Sara, who was diagnosed with stage IV Wilms tumor, kidney cancer, when she was only 4 years old. She never let anything dim her sparkle and compassionate heart, not even a cancer diagnosis. Today, Sara is 11 years old and has been cancer free for more than six years!

“A cancer diagnosis left our family feeling scared and victimized,” said Joe and Erin. “St. Baldrick’s head shaving events provided our family with an opportunity to feel excited and proud. We created the Just Do It…and be done with it Hero Fund in celebration of our daughter being cancer free. Fueled by the support of family and friends, the Hero Fund is gaining momentum each year. We are committed to fund childhood cancer research and scare the pants off cancer!”

This year, Panagiotis Ntziachristos, Ph.D., at Northwestern University, received the Just Do It…and be done with it St. Baldrick’s Research Grant” for $100,000. Dr. Ntziachristos will use his grant to implement tools, including models and small molecular inhibitors, to target pediatric leukemia.

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.

###