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Press Release

Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of Ohio Child


August 27, 2018
    • Press Release
    • For Immediate Release

 

  • Media Contact:
    • Traci Johnson
    • 626.792.8247 ext. 250
    • traci@stbaldricks.org

Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of Ohio Child

Mason, Ohio (August 27, 2018) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, is proud to announce the Invictus Hero Fund, created in honor of Holden Gilkinson from Mason, Ohio, will support lifesaving childhood cancer research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Dr. Garrett Brodeur at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, was named the recipient “Invictus Fund St. Baldrick’s Research Grant” and awarded $100,000 to support his research aimed to find successful ways to deliver treatment directly to solid tumors and less exposure to the rest of the patient’s body.

Current cancer therapy is very toxic and does not always work. Dr. Brodeur and his team have developed a way to deliver more treatment to the tumor and less to the patient by packaging the drug in nanomedicines. This delivery system takes advantage of the fact that most aggressive tumors that have leaky blood vessels, so the treatment can pass through into the tumor, but bypass most normal tissues.

Holden was diagnosed with cancer three times during his short life. He was first diagnosed with stage IV anaplastic Wilms tumor in 2010 when he was only 3 years old. After enduring a tough treatment plan, Holden achieved “no evidence of disease” status. Fourteen months later CT scans revealed another tumor on his remaining kidney. Holden repeated the treatment and was once again declared to have “no evidence of disease.” While in the process of a donor transplant evaluation, a metastatic tumor was discovered in his lung. Holden’s family enjoyed five more months with him and his infectious laughter before Holden lost his battle with childhood cancer at 6 years old.

“Holden’s tumors in his kidneys appeared at different points in time, so he had to endure treatment that ravaged his body twice,” said Holden’s mother, Miriam. “Therefore, we are especially thankful to be able to fund Dr. Brodeur’s research, which seeks innovative ways to treat tumors more successfully with reduced chemotherapy doses and less associated toxicity. We are incredibly grateful to our friends, families, and all donors who support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and its mission to fund this critical research to save and improve lives.”

This Hero Fund honors Holden’s unconquerable spirit by funding critical research to not only find cures, but to lessen the harsh side/late effects of treatment.

Since 2012, this Hero Fund has raised more than $310,000 to support the most promising childhood cancer research. St. Baldrick’s Hero Funds are an ongoing way for friends, family members and groups to donate or raise funds to honor 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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