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Press Release

Colorado Family Supports Childhood Cancer Research in Memory of their Son


September 14, 2022
  • Press Release
  • For Immediate Release
  • Media Contact:
    • Traci Johnson
    • 951.966.7945
    • traci@stbaldricks.org

Colorado Family Supports Childhood Cancer Research in Memory of their Son

Denver, Colo. (September 14, 2022) The Kai Slockers Pediatric Cancer Research Fund – a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund created in honor of Kai Slockers – is proud to support a research grant that will help increase the survival rates for kids with cancer.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation International Scholar Grant, awarded to Dr. Anirban Das at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Ontario, Canada, will help fund Dr. Das’ research focused on identifying genetic mutations in children that lead to deadly cancers.

Dr. Das and his team have developed a new tool that is able to provide early surveillance in cancer detection and allows for alternative treatments for patients whose cancers may respond to new treatment options like immunotherapy. Dr. Das aims to use this tool in developing countries where certain cancers may be more prevalent and resources may be limited.

“We are thankful to partner with St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help further pediatric cancer research through Hero Funds like Kai’s,” says Aki and Shawn Slockers, parents of Kai. “Our son Kai was always a helper. Using his Hero Fund to help fund research for kids to have more opportunities for effective testing, treatment, improved quality of life, and longer survivorship is an honor. The Hero Funds at St. Baldrick’s are an amazing way for families to directly support the much-needed area of pediatric cancer research.”

Kai was diagnosed at 2 years old with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT), a rare and very aggressive brain cancer. Within two weeks of diagnosis, he passed away, 3 months before his third birthday. Kai will always be remembered as sweet, kind, and adventurous. His family created this Hero Fund to continue his legacy through the funding of the most promising childhood cancer research. Since 2016, the Kai Slockers Pediatric Cancer Research Fund has raised more than $232,000. For more information or to make a donation, please visit Kai’s Hero Fund page.

St. Baldrick’s Hero Funds are an ongoing way for friends, family, and groups to donate or raise funds in honor of a loved one. To learn more about the program, please visit the St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund Page.

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation

Every 2 minutes, a child somewhere in the world is diagnosed with cancer. In the U.S., 1 in 5 will not survive. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest charitable funder of childhood cancer research grants, is on a mission to give kids a lifetime by supporting the most promising research to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers. When you give to St. Baldrick’s, you don’t just give to one hospital – you support virtually every institution with the expertise to treat kids with cancer across the U.S. St. Baldrick’s ensures that children fighting cancer now — and those diagnosed in the future — will have access to the most cutting-edge treatment, by supporting every stage of research, from new ideas in the lab to the development of new therapies, to life-saving clinical trials. Join us at StBaldricks.org and help #GiveKidsALifetime.

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