Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of Providence Child

Providence, R.I. – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, is proud to announce the Grace for Good Fund, a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund, created in honor of Grace Carey from Providence, R.I., will support lifesaving childhood cancer research at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Yangming Ou at Boston Children’s Hospital is being named the recipient of the “Grace for Good Fund St. Baldrick’s Scholar Grant” to support his research on neurocognitive impairment that is seen in pediatric brain tumor survivors.

Sixty to 80 percent of survivors experience long-term neurocognitive impairment. Dr. Ou will consider a comprehensive set of risk factors from data obtained from three clinical trials. He will look at ways to intervene adverse brain development during treatment and further optimize radiotherapy dose distribution in the brain before treatment. This project aims to better understand these two fronts and how it effects patients individually. The results will allow him to design future larger-scale, multi-site retrospective replicative to improve neurocognitive outcomes in this vulnerable population

“Our vibrant 17 year old daughter Grace is a 12 year medulloblastoma survivor. The Grace for Good Fund, named in her honor, is thrilled to be able to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and the work of Yangming Ou at Boston Children’s,” said Rebekah Ham, mother of Grace. “Ou’s research, focused on improving neurocognition in pediatric brain cancer survivors, will help kids like Grace continue to thrive into adulthood and live their very best lives.”

Grace was 5-years-old in September 2007 when she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. She underwent surgery, proton beam therapy, and chemotherapy, the whole time maintaining her penchant for silver linings and her amazing imagination. Now 17 years old, Grace is a conscientious and empathic junior in high school who, despite the profound impact of cancer, is learning how to drive and considering college. She loves books, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Broadway musicals, and she is a fierce advocate for childhood cancer research. The Grace for Good Fund honors Grace’s bravery and determination through funding research and has raised more than $160,000 to date.

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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