The Children’s Oncology Group (COG), a National Cancer Institute supported clinical trials group, would like to recognize the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven and donor-centered charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, for granting more than $46 million since 2005 to support COG’s efforts to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation puts a high priority on funding the cooperative research of the COG. Since the Foundation’s inception, its largest grant each year has been to the COG, with these funds distributed to each COG member institution to fund the cost of treating children on clinical trials.

COG would especially like to acknowledge the leadership of the St. Baldrick’s Board of Directors, the continued work of Dr. Robert Arceci, Dr. Jeffrey Lipton and the entire Scientific Advisory Committee and, of course, all the incredibly dedicated volunteers, who have made the research to date possible.

“We would like to thank the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, its leadership and all St. Baldrick’s volunteers and donors from around the world for their outstanding contributions to the childhood cancer community,” said Peter Adamson, COG Chair, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “We are grateful for the many years of support that the COG has received from St. Baldrick’s totaling $46 million in funding that has made some of today’s breakthroughs in childhood cancer research possible. We are excited to see what the next decade has in store and are committed to our ongoing partnership.”

In 2000, colleagues John Bender, Tim Kenny and Enda McDonnell turned their industry’s annual St. Patrick’s Day party into a fundraiser that would benefit kids with cancer. The goal of shaving 17 heads and raising $17,000 ended with 19 bald heads and $104,000 donated to fund the research of the COG. Since becoming an independent Foundation in 2005, St. Baldrick’s has turned into the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, awarding 651 grants, totaling more than $125 million, at 311 institutions in 17 countries.

The distinguished researchers of the St. Baldrick’s Scientific Advisory Committee also play a key role in the Foundation’s success. This widely respected group of pediatric oncology researchers gives advice on new funding programs and policies, offers input on public policy issues regarding research, and provides oversight to the grant review process, which involves more than 180 reviewers. Most important, committee members offer meaningful evaluation and guidance to ensure that every dollar granted is used in the best ways possible to find cures for kids and give survivors long and healthy lives.
“St. Baldrick’s is honored by this recognition from the Children’s Oncology Group,” said Charles Chamness, chairman of the St. Baldrick’s Board of Directors and father of a childhood cancer survivor. “COG is a longtime partner of St. Baldrick’s and we are proud to share in our mission to Conquer Childhood Cancers. Without our devoted volunteers, leadership and researchers, St. Baldrick’s, and the research it funds, would not be possible.”

About Children’s Oncology Group

The Children’s Oncology Group (COG), a National Cancer Institute supported clinical trials group, is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. The COG unites more than 8,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children’s hospitals, universities, and cancer centers across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe in the fight against childhood cancer. The Children’s Oncology Group research has turned children’s cancer from a virtually incurable disease 50 years ago to one with a combined 5-year survival rate of 80% today. Our goal is to cure all children and adolescents with cancer, reduce the short and long-term complications of cancer treatments, and determine the causes and find ways to prevent childhood cancer. For more information please visit www.childrensoncologygroup.org.

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. St. Baldrick’s coordinates its signature head-shaving events worldwide where participants collect pledges to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, raising money to fund research. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $125 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, and the new International Scholar grants train researchers to work in developing countries. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.

Contact:

Children’s Oncology Group
Liz O'Connor, 626-241-1577
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