CONCERN FUNDS
CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH SCIENTISTS
Our focus is to fund promising cancer research scientists in the early stage of discovery within the laboratory to understand the fundamental principles of tumor immunology. This approach enables new discoveries, the creation of better treatments, and advances crucial breakthroughs in all forms of cancer. All funds are to be distributed only for salaries and supplies directly related to the funded research. Browse through the many scientists we have funded throughout the years.
The Concern Foundation Laboratories at the Lautenberg Center
CONQUER CANCER NOW GRANT RECIPIENTS
Since 1968, Concern Foundation has raised and granted $70 million to well over 1000 pediatric and adult cancer researchers worldwide studying many forms of cancer, primarily in the areas of immunology, immunotherapy, and the genetics of cancer. Concern specifically funds researchers who lack financial support for their first major research project and provides critically needed start-up funds for promising projects. By focusing funding to new investigators, Concern helps to bridge a gap that currently exists in the scientific research community. It is difficult for new investigators to obtain initial grants from major funding sources without sound data. At the same time, it is difficult to obtain sound data without funding.
Congratulations to the
2022-2024 Conquer Cancer Now
Grant Recipients
Brittany Allen-Petersen, Ph.D. (Pancreatic Cancer) Purdue University
The role of PP2A in regulating PDAC methuosis
Adam Courtney, Ph.D. (Pancreatic Cancer) University of Michigan
Regulating JAK-STAT signaling pathways to enhance T cell immunotherapy
Begoña DÍaz, Ph.D. (Immunotherapy - Lung and Colon focus) The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Investigating novel signaling circuits controlling PDL1 surface localization in cancer cells
Ylli Doksani, Ph.D. (General Cancer Mechanisms) IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncoloy
Investigating a mechanism of eccDNA accumulation in tumor cells as a consequence of DNA damage
Ekrem Emrah Er, Ph.D. (Breast Cancer) The University of Illinois at Chicago
Regulation of mechanosurveillance by K+ handling during breast cancer metastasis
Jennifer Guerriero, Ph.D. (Breast Cancer Immunotherapy) Brigham and Women’s Hospital / Harvard Medical School
Overcoming PARP inhibitor resistance by modulating tumor associated macrophages to enhance T cell activation
Aaron Hobbs, Ph.D. (Pancreatic Cancer) Medical University of South Carolina
KRASG12R Allele-specific Metabolic Reprogramming Alters Therapeutic Sensitivity
Michelle Mendoza, Ph.D. (Lung Cancer) University of Utah
Tenascin-C in Early Lung Cancer Invasion
Michael Pacold, M.D., Ph.D. (Pancreatic Cancer) NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Discovering and Targeting CoQ10 Synthesis in Pancreatic Cancer
JinSeok Park, Ph.D. (Pediatric Cancer - Rhabdomyosarcoma) Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Flip-flopping of Fusion-positive Rhabdomyosarcoma Leading to Metastatic Invasion
George Souroullas, Ph.D. (Melanoma) Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Investigate the tumor suppressive role of ARID homologs in melanoma
Srividya Swaminathan, Ph.D. (B-cell Lymphoma & Leukemia) Beckman Research Institute City of Hope
Targeting the long isoform of the prolactin receptor in B cell malignancies
Ongoing Research
Dr. Evanthia Roussos Torres (Breast Cancer and Immunology) University of Southern California 2020-2024
Research into ethnic differences among breast cancer patient immune responses
Optimizing immunotherapy by reprogramming the suppressive tumor microenvironment of breast cancer
*Co-funded by The Marni Fund, Kaufman & Levine Families 2020-2023 and The Minnie Riperton Fund 2022-2023
Dr. Anat Erdreich-Epstein (Pediatric Brain Tumors)
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles 1996, 1998-2000, 2004-2006, 2010-2024
Research to study receptor avB3 antibody and if it can disrupt angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) and inhibit growth of pediatric neural tumors, as has already been done in breast cancer.
Results from this study, funded by Concern Foundation, will lead to phase-1 clinical trials using a humanized function-blocking anti-avB3 antibody in the treatment of resistant malignant pediatric brain tumors and neuroblastoma. ~Dr. Anat Erdreich-Epstein
Antiangiogenic manipulation of pediatric neural tumors with monoclonal antibody to integrin
Ceramide in Integrin Signaling in Brain Tumor Angiogenesis" and 16-18 Novel Molecular Model of P1D1 Function in Pediatric Brain Tumors
Novel Molecular Model of P1D1 Function in Pediatric Brain Tumors
Dr. Tijana Talisman (Pancreatic Cancer) 2023-2024
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Collecting plasma with pancreatic cancer and those in high risk of developing the disease
Concern Cares Awards
Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center 2023-2024
The Center for Urological Health
Beauty Bus Foundation (Patient Services) 2017-2024
Beauty Bus creates Pop-Up Salons where cancer patients, caregivers, and hospital staff receive a variety of complimentary beauty and grooming services to offer dignity, hope and respite to families when they need it most.
The Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program (AYA)
University of Southern California 2010-2024
The AYA represents a collaboration between the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Norris Cancer Hospital (USC Norris), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), and Los Angeles County Medical Center (LAC+USC) designed to address this “AYA Gap.”
Wellness, Resilience, and Survivorship Program (Patient Services)
Cedars Sinai 2020-2024
Cancer Exercise Recovery Program, Emerging from the Haze™, Gentle Yoga for Wellness, Art Therapy, and Nutrition in Your Kitchen. All continued to be offered free-of-charge to cancer survivors receiving care at and outside of Cedars.
Children’s Hospital Summer Oncology Program 2012-2024
2023 5 students funded*
2022 5 students funded*
*Gifts from the Sharon Alesia and Family Foundation, Jackie Gottlieb, Lisi and Steve Teller, and Tim Wilson/Ernest Packaging
Hope for Henry (Patient Services) 2021-2024
Hope for Henry is reinventing how hospitals care for children and their families through innovative, scientifically tested programs that help hospitalized kids confront the challenges of serious illness, adhere to their medical plans, and thrive.
Sharsheret (Patient Services) 2021-2024
Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization, improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer through personalized support and saves lives through educational outreach.