2026 grant cycle begins october 15

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. 

Grant funds provided to CHI St. Vincent will provide screenings to 20 uninsured patients.

CARTI grant funds will be applied to the Lung Cancer Screening program, specifically new research to identify biomarkers in blood and/or tears in patients with early stage lung cancer.

Every day, patients with cancer need a ride to treatment. But many don't have a way to get there. Access to transportation to and from treatment is a critical factor in whether patients receive and complete their lifesaving cancer treatments. 

The American Cancer Society is committed to eliminating obstacles to healthcare and promoting equitable access for cancer patients. Grants funds are applied to the ACS "Access to Care" program here in Arkansas.

             The Our Promise House  –                         Hot Springs, AR                             

Cancer patients receiving treatment in Hot Springs now have a comforting place to stay at no cost. For many, daily treatments make long commutes of 1–2 hours each way nearly impossible, especially when they are not feeling well. While cancer care itself is costly, the added burden of travel and lodging can place treatment out of reach. Grant funds were awarded to cover housing costs for one year, ensuring patients can focus on healing without worrying about where they will stay.

    Goodness Village – Little Rock, AR

Goodness Village offers affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments, with rent adjusted according to income, for patients traveling from around the world to receive cancer treatment at Arkansas hospitals, including Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Dedicated volunteers prepare apartments with everything patients need—complete with a meal waiting upon arrival—so they feel supported from the moment they begin treatment. Grant funds were awarded to help cover housing costs for patients during their stay.

Cancer research is costly, often requiring millions of dollars to move discoveries forward. At UAMS, the Seeds of Science program helps meet this need by providing "seed money" to researchers so they can collect essential data—often the first step toward new treatment strategies.

In 2024, Hope Grant funds were awarded to two outstanding researchers: Yuet-Kin Leung, Ph.D., for his study on neutrophils in the castration-resistant prostate cancer microenvironment, and Sayem Miah, Ph.D., for his work on targeting the BRK-ALK axis to halt breast cancer metastasis. We will hear more about their research at our kick off meeting in 2026. 

The 2023 Seeds of Science grant supported Dr. Abdallah Hayer, whose research focuses on developing new treatments for one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.

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. 

Cancer Color: Purple

Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers. It is

currently the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA after lung and

colon cancers. It is expected to move to #2 by 2030. Current research is focused on

improving treatment options and better (earlier) screening tests.

 5-year survival rate is 13%. While low, it is double what it was 10 years ago

 Average lifetime risk to develop pancreatic cancer is 1 in 56 men and 1 in 60 women

 In 2026, about 67,530 people will be diagnosed and 52,740 will die of this disease

What causes pancreatic cancer? The cause is unknown but there are some key factors which increases the chance of getting pancreatic cancer. These include use of tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, vaping, chewing tobacco), obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, chronic

pancreatitis and potentially certain hereditary markers.

Symptoms: Often early signs are mistaken for other (and more likely) medical conditions.

The best chance of survivability is early detection which is unlikely. Most common

symptoms are back pain (tumor pushing on other organs as it grows), Jaundice (yellowing of skin as bilirubin builds up), nausea and lack of appetite, digestive issues.

Types of Pancreatic Cancers:

 Pancreatic adenocarcinoma: most

common type (92%) develops in the

exocrine tissue that makes digestive

enzymes.

 Neuroendocrine tumors: less

common and often found in

younger people. Tumors develop in

the hormone-producing endocriine

(islet) cells. It has a better

prognosis.