St. Baldrick’s Foundation Awards $499,011 to Local Researcher to Fund Lifesaving Childhood Cancer Research in Honor of Child who Battled Cancer

St. Baldrick’s Foundation grant created in memory of child funds lifesaving research

CHICAGO (October 16, 2017)– The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-powered and donor-centered charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, is proud to announce that a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund created in honor of Sara Martorano, from Chicago, Ill., will support lifesaving childhood cancer research.

This year, Tara Henderson, M.D, Ph.D., at the University of Chicago Medicine, received the Just Do It…and be Done with It St. Baldrick’s Consortium Grant for $499,011. Dr. Henderson will use this grant to investigate new approaches to neuroblastoma therapy by researching the effects of treatment on the long-term health of survivors.

“Our daughter is alive today after a Stage IV cancer diagnosis because researchers like Dr. Tara Henderson choose to look cancer in the eye every day. We are grateful,” said Erin Martorano, Sara’s mom. “Her work not only kills a child’s cancer, but shows concern for the quality of life as a cancer survivor. This commitment echoes Sara’s words throughout her own cancer treatment, Just Do It…and be done with it. We are committed to fund childhood cancer research – together – we’re coming for you cancer!”

Sara who was only 4 years old when she was diagnosed with stage IV Wilms tumor. Despite a grueling treatment protocol of surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, Sara’s smile remained contagious. The Martorano family knows that it takes dollars to fund the research that saved Sara’s life. This is why the family recently hosted a head-shaving event where Sara’s dad, Joe, went bald to raise funds and awareness for the disease in order to save others’ lives.

Since 2009, the Just Do It…and be Done with It Hero Fund has raised more than $560,000. You can read more about Sara’s triumphant journey on the St. Baldrick’s blog.

A St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund is an ongoing way for friends, family members, or groups to donate or raise funds for a loved one. To learn more about the program visit the Hero Fund page.

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation
As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation believes that kids are special and deserve to be treated that way. St. Baldrick’s is leading the charge to take childhood back from cancer by funding 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 cancer treatments for kids.

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