Press Room

St. Baldrick’s Foundation Announces $50,000 Grant To Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach for Pediatric Oncology Research

LONG BEACH, Calif. – November 8, 2010 – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, has awarded more than $1.3 million in fall 2010 infrastructure grants.

The Foundation’s infrastructure grants are committed for one year and provide institutions with resources to enable them to conduct more research and enroll more kids in ongoing clinical trials – their best hope for a cure. One of the those infrastructure grants for $50,000 is going to the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach to support research efforts in the STAR Late Effects Survivorship Program.

"The Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children's Hospital remains dedicated to helping children with cancer and serious blood disorders through compassionate care, innovative treatments and clinical research," said Jerry Z. Finklestein, MD, founding Medical Director, JJCCC. "We are very grateful to the St. Baldrick's Foundation for their continued support. This grant will help JJCCC expand and improve clinical research within the Late Effects Survivorship Program to help our patients understand and cope with the late effects of treatment."

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation currently funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s signature head-shaving events are the fastest growing volunteer-driven fundraising opportunity benefitting childhood cancer research. The Foundation’s volunteer event organizers have led the way to raising approximately $90 million since 2000.

With only three percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s grant awards 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.

“We are excited to present these grants to such deserving institutions,” said Kathleen Ruddy, executive director for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “These grants are a testament to the difference St. Baldrick’s volunteers can make for kids in their local community.”
Grants were awarded based on the need of the institution and the anticipated results of the grant. Institutions were also considered based on the level of participation by the local community in St. Baldrick’s events.

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.