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Local grant is part of more than $12 million awarded for pediatric oncology research in 2009
 LONG BEACH, Calif. – Feb. 15, 2010 – St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, awarded a grant of $73,000 to the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. These fall infrastructure grants provide institutions with resources to make more research possible and treat more kids on clinical trials, their best hope for a cure.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation began as a challenge between friends and has exploded into the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer research. St. Baldrick’s donors and volunteers made possible over $12 million in funding for childhood cancer research in 2009; the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s is one of 12 institutions to receive funding as part of St. Baldrick’s 2009 fall grant cycle which totaled over $650,000.
With only three percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St. Baldrick’s grant funds are critical to continue the battle against this devastating disease. Worldwide, 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States.
With this funding, JJCCC will be able to expand their psychosocial program to include a dedicated psychologist, Sandra Sherman, PhD, focused on research. With specialty training and research in pediatrics and chronic illness, and a focus on the Hispanic/Latino community, Dr. Sherman is well poised to create psychosocial research program that focuses on the problems faced by JJCCC’s patient population. This new program will allow JJCCC to evaluate the psychosocial situations of the Hispanic/Latino patients and families, single parents of children with cancer, and young survivors transitioning to adulthood.
“Without the philanthropic support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the fight against childhood cancer would be severely hampered,” says Jerry Finklestein, MD, medical director of JJCCC. “St. Baldrick’s generates monies to fund a variety of endeavors that are crucial to institutions like ours confronting childhood cancer on a daily basis. We are honored to receive a grant to aid our psychosocial effort and research dedicated to the child and family with cancer. In particular, we are one of the few institutions that will now be able to address the challenges of our Latino community.”
Grant applications were reviewed based on the need of the institution and the anticipated results of the grant. Institutions were also considered based on the level of participation of the local community in St. Baldrick’s events. St. Baldrick’s volunteer event organizers led the way to raising over $16.4 million in 2009 alone and more than $69 million since 2000; making the funding of institutions like the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital possible.
“Our volunteers and donors give hope to children and families touched by this dreadful disease,” says Kathleen Ruddy, Executive Director for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “Their passion and dedication to the cause turn that hope into reality and have helped make grants like these possible.”
In 2009, more than 350 people shaved their heads and raised more than $141,500 for St. Baldrick’s at three events in the Long Beach area. These events were held at Recreation Park Golf Course 18 in Long Beach, the San Pedro Fire Station 112 in San Pedro, and the Riviera Mexican Grill in Redondo Beach.
Everyone can do their part to support St. Baldrick’s. To locate or organize an event in your community, sign-up to shave, donate or volunteer, visit www.StBaldricks.org. You can also become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and visit the St. Baldrick’s YouTube channel.
About The Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center
The Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach provides quality, compassionate care to children with cancer, sickle cell disease and other serious blood disorders, encompassing the medical, emotional, and social needs of patients and their families, from diagnosis, to treatment and beyond. The Center is known for its comprehensive psychosocial programs and multidisciplinary approach to patient care in the hospital, day care (the infusion center), clinic areas, home health and community outreach programs. An emphasis on integrating new research efforts into treatment plans allows patients access to leading therapies.
About The St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation makes grants to research institutions to find new cures for childhood cancer, and to find treatments to ensure a better quality of life for patients and survivors. The Foundation funds research projects conducted by established pediatric cancer experts, as well as younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, offering the best available care for every child. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is grateful to its many volunteers (bald or not!), donors and sponsors, including Allied World, elope and PartnerRe. For more information about St. Baldrick’s, please call 1-888-899-BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.
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