Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of New York Child

Latham, N.Y. – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, is proud to announce that a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund created in honor of Ben Stowell, from Latham, N.Y., will support lifesaving childhood cancer research at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Gina Ney from the University of Michigan, was granted a $97,500 St. Baldrick’s Fellow award, funded by the Ben’s Green Drakkoman St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund. Dr. Ney will be examining inactive cells and their resistance to cancer treatment.

Many cancers include groups of cells that are relatively inactive, meaning that they divide less frequently than other cells and use fewer nutrients from their environment. This inactivity often makes these cells less susceptible to chemotherapy because they do not take in chemotherapy drugs due to their slow growth. As a result, these cells can remain present after treatment, potentially leading to disease recurrence. Dr. Ney is studying these inactive cells’ behavior, to more fully understand cancer and how to better treat it.

The Ben’s Green Drakkoman St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund was created to honor the memory of forever 9-year-old Ben who battled an aggressive form of osteosarcoma. He lived life with courage and an inspiring determination to survive. The fund is named after the superhero he created, Green Drakkoman, whose archenemy is the Evil Alien. The analogy helped Ben understand what was happening in his body’s fight against cancer, and his family continues his legacy with this fund, which supports osteosarcoma research.

“After Ben was diagnosed we found out how little research had been done. Ben was only 7 when he told us that someday he wanted to fund research so other kids didn’t have to go through what he was going through,” said Tim Stowell, Ben’s father. “St. Baldrick’s has allowed us to fulfill his dream. Our favorite part about funding research grants with St Baldrick’s is that it funds grants for cutting-edge research for childhood cancers that have previously received little attention. We think Dr. Ney’s research is very exciting.”

Since 2007, the Ben’s Green Drakkoman St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund has raised more than $380,000 to support the most promising childhood cancer research and give survivors long and healthy lives. St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund is an ongoing way for friends, family members and groups to donate or raise funds for a loved one. To learn more about the program visit the St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund page.

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation
As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is leading the charge to take childhood back from cancer. St. Baldrick’s funds 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 childhood cancer research, no matter where it takes place.

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