Waxhaw, NC -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/18/2014 -- As a proud foundation for children with cancer, The Isabella Santos Foundation is announcing their involvement with the Band of Parents, Inc. and a number of sister foundations to present a grant to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in order to fully fund and test an antibody targeted at neuroblastoma treatment. At the end of July, Aurora Ismaili, a 13-year-old member of the Band of Parents who has overcome and survived neuroblastoma, presented Dr. Nai-Kong Cheung, with the second installment of a $2,000,000 grant, serving as the largest pediatric cancer grant in the history of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Dr. Cheung is the head of the neuroblastoma program at MSK, a cancer center headquartered in Manhattan, and located throughout New York, as well as a campus in New Jersey. The grant was made possible through the funding and donations of many non-profits and cancer foundations situated throughout the United States. With the Band of Parents, Inc., at the forefront, The Isabella Santos Foundation teamed up with the Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc., the Press On to CURE Childhood Cancer Fund, and the I Back Jack Foundation, Inc. to present two million dollars for neuroblastoma research.
With the funds, the grant supports the clinical testing of a Hu3F8 bi-specific antibody, which has historically shown tremendous promise for drug treatments. Chairman of the Band of Parents, Marc Winthrop, remarked, “It is with great pride that we work so hard to support the neuroblastoma team at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. We are thankful for their tireless efforts in trying to find a way to save our children.”
The Isabella Santos Foundation would like to thank all the donors and supporters of their non profit in Charlotte for making this grant possible. It is through many events and kind sponsors that this sum of money was able to be raised. With a 5k on September 20, a scavenger hunt in Ballantyne on September 1, and many other events as the year rolls on, they look forward to continued support in their effort to find a cure for neuroblastoma, the most-common cancer for children under the age of two.
For more information, or to get involved, please visit The Isabella Santos Foundation’s website today.
About Isabella Santos Foundation
The Isabella Santos Foundation was created in honor of Isabella Santos, a courageous young girl who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the age of 2. Losing her battle in 2012, the Foundation stands strong in the honor and memory of not just her fight, but for many other children fighting with the disease throughout the world.
To help create awareness and raise money for Neuroblastoma research, please visit http://www.isabellasantosfoundation.com/