Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of Easton Child

EASTON, Pa. (September 22, 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 St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund, David’s Warriors, created in honor of St. Baldrick’s Honored Kid David Heard, from Easton, Pa., will support lifesaving childhood cancer research.

David was only 8 years old when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Before David died, he created a list of things that his family would need to complete in his absence. The list has become the driving force behind his family’s commitment to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and his Hero Fund. Their commitment to raise money for the Foundation has even included his mother, Susan, shaving 14 times in his honor at signature St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events.

“David made you feel like anything was possible. His brilliant wit and positive personality convinced so many people that kids with cancer are an important population,” said Susan, David’s mom. “As he was dying at age 10 and explaining to me that science had failed him because there wasn’t enough funding to complete research fast enough, I knew we had to do something. He gave me the ‘something’ by telling me to keep shaving my head and raising money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. While I’ve kept my hair for the past couple of years, we host shaves at least twice a year, such as Flashes of Gold, a unique event that reflects who David was and is a community wide celebration. Dancing, tasty treats, an auction, photo booth, face painting and hair extensions delight young and old attendees!”

David’s family and friends will host their annual fundraiser, Flashes of Gold, on Sept. 29, at the Riverview Country Club in Easton, Pa. All proceeds from the event will benefit David’s Warriors.

Since 2011, the David’s Warriors Hero Fund has raised more than $400,000.

This year, Christopher Forlenza, M.D., at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, received the David’s Warrior St. Baldrick’s Fellow grant for $97,500. Dr. Forlenza will use his grant to research how a part of the immune system, called natural killer (NK) cells, influences the success or failure of 3F8 – a molecule that can help treat neuroblastoma patients.

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.

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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