#United States #pediatric cancer #Atlanta #Peach Bowl #Aflac Center

New Donation Boosts Pediatric Cancer Trials

In a remarkable development for pediatric cancer treatment, Peach Bowl, Inc. has made a $2.5 million contribution to support groundbreaking clinical trials at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center located at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This funding furthers the organization’s mission to enhance treatment options for children facing cancer, expanding the reach of their innovative programs.

Since the establishment of the Peach Bowl LegACy Fund in 2019, which started with a generous $20 million donation, there has been significant progress in cancer treatment research. Currently, 18 promising drug trials are in operation, which cater to a range of pediatric cancers. As of now, 79 children are actively enrolled in these trials, paving the way for potential breakthroughs in treatment options.

Gary Stokan, the CEO of Peach Bowl, Inc., expressed his pride in the efforts made through the Peach Bowl LegACy Fund. He remarked, “The Peach Bowl was created to give back, and we continue to follow that mission through our donation. Our goal is to give Children's Healthcare of Atlanta the resources they need to advance treatment for childhood cancer.” This announcement highlights the commitment of both Peach Bowl and its partners in supporting vital medical research and development.

The Peach Bowl LegACy Fund's overarching mission is to facilitate the accelerated testing of new treatment strategies, possibly leading to additional treatment modalities and cures for childhood cancer. The funding specifically promotes the development of novel drugs and therapies that demonstrate a high potential for success, particularly in cellular therapies.

Douglas Graham, MD, PhD, who serves as Chief at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, shared his enthusiasm for the donation, emphasizing its importance in translating research into tangible treatment options for children. “Thanks to the tremendous support from Peach Bowl Inc., our researchers will have additional funding to advance their efforts in identifying new ways to treat pediatric cancers,” he stated.

This latest contribution marks the conclusion of the fifth funding cycle, utilizing the remaining $3.6 million from the initial donation. This cycle awarded funding to four new trials, bringing the total number of ongoing studies related to pediatric cancer to 18. Among the newly funded projects, several pioneering trials are worth noting:

• - A study by Dr. Thomas Cash focused on a tumor-suppressing drug aimed at patients with solid tumors.
• - Dr. Sarah Mitchell will launch the first immunotherapy trial for pediatric patients with osteosarcoma, employing a drug that has shown positive results in other forms of pediatric cancer.
• - Collaborating with the University of Georgia, Dr. Tobey MacDonald will conduct a study designed to improve survival rates for children suffering from inoperable brain tumors using immunotherapy strategies.
• - Dr. Michelle Schoettler's research will investigate a novel drug aimed at preventing thrombotic microangiopathy following blood and marrow transplants.

Looking to the future, Peach Bowl, Inc. is diligently working towards the long-term sustainability of the Peach Bowl LegACy Fund. They plan to continue their fundraising efforts through corporate donations, including contributions from Aflac as part of the Aflac Kickoff Games, generating an expected total of $200,000. Additionally, proceeds from 50/50 fan raffles during these games could contribute around $100,000 further boosting the fund’s capabilities.

The Peach Bowl LegACy Fund was inspired by Anna Charles