August 8, 2016
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Traci Shirk
626.792.8247 ext. 250
traci@stbaldricks.org
Childhood Cancer Research Grant Given in Honor of Oregon Child
EAGLE POINT, OR., (August 8, 2016) – 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 it has partnered with The Ethan Jostad Foundation in Eagle Point, Ore., to support the work of a childhood cancer researcher at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.
The Ethan Jostad Foundation was established by Chris and Kimberly Jostad in memory of their 9-year-old son, Ethan, who was taken from them after fighting childhood cancer. In addition to funding cutting-edge pediatric cancer research, the Foundation’s mission is to provide emotional and financial support to children and families impacted by the disease.
Chris and Kimberly are no strangers to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. At the Foundation’s 46 Momma Shave for the Brave event in 2012, Kimberly shaved her head to stand in solidarity with kids with cancer.
“We are excited and honored to partner with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help fund this very important research,” said Chris and Kim Jostad, founders of The Ethan Jostad Foundation. “We are hopeful this research will lead to more effective, less toxic treatment options, not only for osteosarcoma, but for other sarcomas and difficult-to-treat childhood cancers, as well.”
This year, the funds raised by The Ethan Jostad Foundation went to support a $330,000 St. Baldrick’s Scholar Grant awarded to Dr. Nicolas Llosa at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Dr. Llosa will focus his research on understanding how the immune system interacts with osteosarcoma cancer cells – the most common type of bone tumor in children.
“It’s a remarkable and an act of greatness to have organizations, like the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, invest in this cause,” says Dr. Llosa, assistant professor of pediatrics and pediatric oncology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. “We need to do better for our kids and their help is key for moving the field forward.”
Help the St. Baldrick’s Foundation continue to fund the best research, wherever it takes place. Make a donation today.
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 funds are granted to 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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