funding cancer research & cancer-related projects

Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer deaths in Arkansas. Survival rate is 70% if caught early (stage 1) but drops to less than 20% if caught at a later stage. This makes lung cancer screenings essential for early detection and treatment. Sadly, Arkansas is one of only three states where Medicaid does not cover screenings. Without financial assistance, many who are at higher risk do not get the screenings they need. The grant funds CARTI received from us will provide free lung cancer screenings to more than 115 people who are medically underserved. 

In order to participate in clinical trials and gain access to the research performed at other research facilities nationwide, CHI requested funds to purchase MOSAIQ software. This cancer-specific software provides automatic updates to the national cancer registry to identify relevant clinical trials by cancer type. Clinics can also utilize the software to improve their oncology workflows which increases patient safety. One critical workflow is ordering a patient’s chemotherapy drugs from the pharmacy in the correct formulation and dosage. The software automates what was a complex manual process.

Some people are at higher risk to develop certain cancers. When you have multiple close family members who all have the same type of cancer, develop cancer at a young age or an uncommon cancer (example: men who get breast cancer), you may have inherited it or have a gene mutation. Genetic testing can provide you with key information that can help you make more informed decisions regarding current or future healthcare or treatments. Not everyone needs genetic testing, but those that do, often find that their insurance doesn’t cover it. CHI received funds to help patients financially so they could get the genetic testing and counseling they need. 

The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) developed their “Seeds of Science” program. This provides the initial seed money a cancer researcher needs to establish their preliminary data required to secure larger grants for on-going research. For many years, the WFCR has provided funds to support this program. UAMS awards these grants to “young investigators” annually. This year’s projects may lead to new treatment therapies by targeting a specific protein associated with certain cancer types; create a single delivery system of a selected drug combination designed to simultaneously attack or disrupt cancer cells on multiple fronts; improve our understanding of how cancer cells mutate into cancers that are chemotherapy-resistant; and develop a new surgical technique to treat aggressive brain cancer tumors.