PHILADELPHIA, April 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and the Babich Family Foundation are partnering to create two funding opportunities to accelerate research of a particular genetic predisposition leading to the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is committed to creating opportunities for new and innovative research into treatments and cures for childhood cancers. The Babich Family Foundation is dedicated to advancing areas of research important to families affected by familial platelet disorders (FPDs) leading to AML and ultimately developing effective therapies to prevent the onset of AML.
The two new funding opportunities will accelerate research into inherited RUNX1 mutations or FPD/AML. Individuals with a mutation have a 50% likelihood during their life to develop AML. The current research of inherited RUNX1 mutations is very limited. Reported cases show people with inherited RUNX1 mutations can develop AML any time from age 2 to over 70.
There will be two areas of research considered for funding. Research leading to the prevention of the transition from pre-leukemia to leukemia for patients with the familial RUNX1 disorder can receive up to $250,000 over the course of two years. Research that will increase the understanding of familial RUNX1 disorders through retrospective and/or prospective analyses of patient samples and outcome data will be granted $250,000-$500,000 over the course of two years.
"Our partnership with the Babich Family Foundation has allowed us to fund an area of research that is critical but underrepresented," said Jay Scott, co-executive director of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. "AML is a deadly leukemia in children. This research can lead to better treatments for patients with RUNX1 who develop AML and ultimately all patients with AML."
"The Babich Family Foundation is excited to partner with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for our first grant cycle of the RUNX1 Research Program," said Timothy Babich, of the Babich Family Foundation. "We believe that by funding world-class cancer researchers focusing on FPD/AML using the latest advances in genomics and drug discovery we will be able to find a cure."
Letters of Intent for both categories will be accepted until June 30, 2016. Funding will start in January 2017. For guideline and submission information, visit runx1.com.
About Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $120 million toward fulfilling Alex's dream of finding a cure, funding over 550 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.