SAVANNAH, Ga. - GeorgiaChron -- CURE Childhood Cancer, a leading non-profit dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research and supporting local patients and their families, has awarded a record-breaking $5.6 million investment in research grants for its 2024-2025 fiscal year.

The grants have been awarded to top scientists at leading pediatric cancer research institutions across the nation and represent CURE's highest disbursement in a single grant cycle. This brings CURE's total investment in research over the last 18 years to more than $50 million. CURE is awarding two-year grants in both its Early Investigators and Translation to CURE Award groupings.

"We are so pleased and proud that CURE is providing an outstanding level of support to very promising research this year," said Kristin Connor, CEO of CURE Childhood Cancer. "We are funding two-year grants so researchers can focus on finding cures rather than finding funding. All of the grants aim to make better-tolerated and less-toxic therapies, with a special emphasis on relapsed and refractory disease where current treatments are quite noxious and often not very effective for children."

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This year, CURE is also proud to acknowledge the crucial role of donors like Hyundai Hope On Wheels®, which donated $45,000 toward CURE Childhood Cancer's South Georgia Family Emergency assistance.

"By partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer, the organization is helping to provide vital support to families in Georgia facing immediate needs due to their child's cancer diagnosis, such as housing, transportation, and medical expenses not covered by insurance," said John Guastaferro, Executive Director of Hyundai Hope On Wheels Foundation. "This is right in line with our commitment to making a tangible impact on the lives of children battling cancer."

"This incredibly generous donation is our largest grant in the South Georgia area to date," said Mandy Garola, Vice President of CURE Childhood Cancer in South Georgia. "Hyundai Hope On Wheels' support is a prime example of how generous donors like them enable us to provide crucial support to our families while also funding groundbreaking research."

CURE's funding decisions are guided by its Peer Review Committee, a group of practicing oncologists and academic scientists who conduct a rigorous review of more than 50 proposals to assess both scientific merit and alignment with CURE's goals. Of those proposals, CURE selected 11 studies to fund, most of which offer hope of testing more effective treatments for childhood cancers with poor prognosis within 2-3 years.

To learn more visit https://www.curechildhoodcancer.org.