Promising Grant for Childhood Cancer Research Given in Honor of Oak Forest Teen

Oak Forest, Ill. – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, is proud to announce Julia’s Legacy of Hope, a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund, created in honor of Julia Janes from Oak Forest, Ill., will support lifesaving childhood cancer research.

Dr. Lynn Lee at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, OH is being named the “Julia’s Legacy of Hope St. Baldrick’s Scholar.” Dr. Lee’s grant funds promising research for a new therapy for a type of leukemia that is difficult to treat and often relapses despite chemotherapy treatment.

There is a type of leukemia which occurs mainly in infants, but also in children who have previously received chemotherapy for an unrelated cancer. This type of leukemia is extremely difficult to treat and often comes back despite chemotherapy. Dr. Lee’s research has shown evidence that this leukemia relies on a protein which influences how leukemia cells interpret their DNA–the ‘blueprint’ for essential functions within the cell. Through his studies, he has been able to show that this protein can be blocked by a chemical inhibitor and his work is now focused on studying a drug that can accomplish this. Dr. Lee’s research could potentially lead to a new therapy for this class of leukemias.

“It is our honor and privilege to raise funds for pediatric cancer through Julia’s Legacy of Hope’s Hero Fund page of St. Baldrick’s,” said Julia’s father, Jeffrey Janes. “The fact that we have funded four grants since 2018, with the enormous support of our family, friends, local schools, and the community at large is a reflection of the inspirational person Julia was. She was passionate about everything she did and would not take anything less than success as the final goal. Because of St. Baldrick’s communication and support, we see the same passion in the scientists and doctors working to find gentler treatments and cures for pediatric cancer. Julia would accept nothing less. Julia’s spirit continues to inspire so many to donate to her cause, and to help make her final wish come true – that someday no kid will have to go through what she went through.”

Julia’s Legacy of Hope, is a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund which honors Julia’s positive and courageous spirit and carries out her last wish: “no child should have to go through what I have experienced”. Diagnosed at age 16 with Ewing sarcoma, Julia fought cancer and survived only to be stricken in college with acute myeloid leukemia, a secondary cancer as a result of treatment she received. Through this Hero Fund, the Janes family hopes to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research including but not limited to Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) patients.

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
Every 2 minutes a child somewhere in the world is diagnosed with cancer. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of pediatric cancer research grants, is on a mission to defy childhood cancers 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 institution–you give to virtually every institution treating kids with cancer across the U.S. and beyond. As a leader in the pediatric cancer community, St. Baldrick’s works tirelessly to ensure that current and future children diagnosed with cancer will have access to the most cutting-edge treatment from the best leaders in the pediatric oncology field. Join us at StBaldricks.org and help #DFYchildhoodCancers.

###