St. Baldrick’s Foundation Grants $95,775 to Local Researcher to Fund Lifesaving Childhood Cancer Research

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

Beloit, Ohio (November 20, 2017) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, is proud to announce that a St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund created in honor of Morgan Loudon, from Beloit, Ohio, will support lifesaving childhood cancer research.

This year, the Morgan and Friends St. Baldrick’s Fellow Grant was awarded to Dr. Nickhill Bhakta at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. With this $95,775 grant, Dr. Bhakta will investigate the magnitude of chronic health conditions experienced by survivors of childhood cancer. Researchers are increasingly recognizing the long-term consequences of cancer therapy, and this funding will be used to inform future approaches for prevention and early detection, maximizing long-term survival and quality of life for those diagnosed with childhood cancer.

The Morgan and Friends Hero Fund was created to honor Morgan, and to celebrate her strength and determination as a childhood cancer survivor who rallied family and friends to “battle on” in the search for a cure and better treatments. Morgan was only 8 years old when she was diagnosed with a rare rhabdoid tumor. The tumor was originally inoperable, but responded well to treatment. Morgan had the tumor removed, completed 28 radiation treatments and had her final course of chemotherapy in June 2013.

Morgan, like many others who survive their cancer diagnosis, deals with side-effects that come from the very treatment that saved her life. While Morgan has adjusted to her new normal, she and her family are dedicated to supporting organizations like St. Baldrick’s in an effort to find better ways to treat children’s cancers.

In March, Morgan’s family and friends rallied a team at the North Canton Racquet Club St. Baldrick’s signature head-shaving event in North Canton, Ohio, where five people went bald to stand in solidarity with Morgan and all children fighting cancer.

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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