State-of-the-art cancer research is underway right here in South Florida, where the Community Foundation of Broward recently announced a continuation of its effort to “Cancel Cancer” with new grants to local universities, medical centers and non-profit organizations.

Grants totaling $308,325 were awarded for research and patient support.  Four grants were awarded from a total of nine applications.  The successful applicants were:

• Florida International University Foundation, Miami, which received $100,000 for a novel chemotherapy treatment for prostate cancer.  The research project is ready to begin testing using laboratory subjects to confirm the effectiveness of natamycin as a treatment for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.  Clinical trials are expected by 2021.
  

• Memorial Foundation, connected to Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, which also received $100,000 for a program to use liquid biopsies to monitor lung cancer patients, instead of CT scans that expose patients to extra radiation and higher costs.
  

• University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, which also received $100,000 from the Community Foundation for a precision medicine project in Broward.  The grant funds the second year of a two-year project for 212 Broward cancer patients to have the molecular makeup of their tumors analyzed, allowing doctors to identify the strongest therapies for treatment.
  

• Gilda’s Club of South Florida, which received $8,325 to support 150 cancer patients and their families with a Cancer Care Mind Body Connection program.  It will offer a combination of support groups, workshops and healthy lifestyle instructions to teach individuals how to cope with anxiety, stress and depression.

Leaders of the Community Foundation established Cancel Cancer as a meaningful effort to confront the spread of cancer in Broward County, which has the second highest rate of new cancer diagnoses in Florida.
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“One in four Broward residents will be diagnosed with cancer this year,” said Linda Carter, President and CEO of Community Foundation of Broward. “That calls for an aggressive effort to bring cutting-edge cancer research to many of the cancer patients who live among us.  We are committed to making a difference by helping them fight cancer and its impact on their lives.”

To learn how you can support Cancel Cancer projects with a charitable Fund for Broward, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Nancy Thies at nthies@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.