Problem: Childhood cancer research is grossly underfunded. With 12 different types of childhood cancer (and dozens of subtypes) some of the rarest of these cancers can go decades without any progress. Current treatment protocols cause long-term chronic health issues including organ damage, fertility issues, and even secondary cancers.

Solution: Provide more funding for childhood cancer research.

Total amount given $2 million direct to MD Anderson Cancer Center for a project that is seeking therapeutic options for recurrent brain tumors in children. AFF (and other organizations like it) provided the necessary “seed money” in order to collect the preliminary data and this project has now attracted additional governmental funds and is currently enrolling patients in the clinical trial. More info.

The following published paper shows the work we are funding through AFF.

Published Research Paper: January 22, 2019: Science Signaling|Research Article|Cancer|Transcriptional repressor REST drives lineage stage-specific chromatin compaction at Ptch 1 and increases AKT activation in a mouse model of medulloblastoma.

What is “seed money”?
In order to receive high-level government or corporate money, researchers first have to gather data and show results. However, this data cannot be collected without the funds to support it. This is a true predicament and leaves a lot of brilliant, potentially life-saving ideas unexplored. That’s where AFF steps in! We invest in new ideas, helping to plant the seed for the next big breakthrough and eventually A CURE!

Addi’s Faith Foundation has made an 8 year, 2 million dollar pledge to MD Anderson to continue their research with pediatric brain tumors.

Future Research Studies Include:

• • Companion Phase-1 trial to assess novel imaging agents to monitor immune cell trafficking and persistence
  • Correlative studies with ATRT
  • Biomarker development
  • Screening to identify additional targeted agents and immunomodulatory agents