Providing resources to advance RESEARCH for a cure
Researchers worldwide are uncovering better ways to prevent, diagnose, treat and beat cancer. But they are far from finished, and progress requires funding from private sources. Tireless, brilliant scholars are chasing cancer breakthroughs right here in Indiana. With internationally recognized research institutions in our own backyard, the Heroes Foundation focuses its research funding on projects in Indiana.
HARPER CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
Pursuing better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to prevent the spread of cancer
As cancer develops, the pH increases inside affected cells. In her lab, Katharine White, Ph.D., and her team are studying the role of pH as it relates to cancer and whether they can target cancer cells with pH-lowering drugs to treat patients or even prevent cancers from forming. If successful, their work will bring to light better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to address cancer metastasis.
In 2024, the Heroes Foundation announced a $25,000 commitment to White’s research at Notre Dame
Her research around pH at Harper Cancer Research Institute is opening new avenues in the fight against cancer.
HARPER CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
Funding cancer research for underrepresented Native Americans
The Heroes Foundation traditionally funds areas of cancer research that are underfunded, which is one reason we are supporting researchers at the Harper Cancer Research Institute at the University of Notre Dame to launch an ambitious project to study cancer in American Indian and Native Alaskan populations. Lead researcher Sharon Stack, says the opportunity to survive a cancer diagnosis shouldn’t depend on a person’s race, ethnicity or zip code.
Provided $30K to the Native American project to empower the collection and sequencing of tumor samples from across the country
“Funding from the Heroes Foundation is critical to move research forward.”—Sharon Stack, Ann F. Dunne and Elizabeth Riley Director of Harper Cancer Research Institute
HARPER CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
Pursuing better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to prevent the spread of cancer
As cancer develops, the pH increases inside affected cells. In her lab, Katharine White, Ph.D., and her team are studying the role of pH as it relates to cancer and whether they can target cancer cells with pH-lowering drugs to treat patients or even prevent cancers from forming. If successful, their work will bring to light better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to address cancer metastasis.
INDIANA PEDIATRIC SARCOMA RESEARCH & ADVOCACY SUMMIT
Empowering scientific collaboration across Indiana
Pediatric cancer drug development is slow, at best, and shockingly outdated. Founded by Robyn Spoon, who lost her son to cancer, Elevate Childhood Cancer Research and Advocacy is part of the solution to this problem. Its annual summit, supported by the Heroes Foundation, brings together scientists, clinicians and advocates to determine what resources are available in Indiana, what is needed, and how to develop a workflow among participants to expedite therapies.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY SIMON
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
Studying gene mutations to learn more about lung cancer prevention
Ana Sofia Mendes Leal, PharmD, PhD., and her team at the Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center are studying gene mutations that are major drivers of lung cancer, a leading cancer type in Indiana. The Heroes Foundation is supporting her work through the SJP Heroes Cancer Research Fund.
TYLER TRENT PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH CENTER AT THE PURDUE INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH
Providing funds for pediatric cancer research
Of all diseases, cancer is the No. 1 killer of children in Indiana. And yet, childhood cancer research is grossly underfunded by federal and state agencies. The Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center was established at Purdue University in 2023. A recent Heroes Foundation funding award will empower the Center to launch three new research projects aimed at developing new treatments for pediatric cancers.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY SIMON
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
Powering ongoing study of hereditary cancer syndrome
Since 2023, the Heroes Foundation has supported Dr. Nawal Kassem’s research on hereditary cancer syndrome at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (Indiana University Foundation). Kassem is an oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine. Hereditary cancers such as breast, colon and prostate are caused by mutations in the genetic code. Depending on the mutation, an individual can have up to 80 percent increased risk for certain cancers. Since receiving startup funding, Kassem has collected patient data and written a clinical trial protocol centered around Black patients.
100 VOICES OF HOPE AT IU SIMON
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
Providing start-up funding for breast cancer “hunches”
Every research breakthrough begins with an out-of-the-box idea, but major research funding is available for only tried-and-true findings. 100 Voices of Hope provides start-up funding to breast cancer researchers with promising “hunches.” In 2008, breast cancer patient Mary Beth Gadus began asking her friends and family to commit $1,000 each to become a voice for breast cancer research. Today, 100 Voices of Hope has become a source of research funding and inspiration for breast cancer researchers at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY SIMON
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
Uncovering treatments for children with rare brain cancers
Nuri Damayanti, PhD, and Karen Pollok, PhD, at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center are working to uncover drug combinations hiding in plain sight that can be effective for treating children with rare pediatric brain cancers. Repurposing drugs for new indications represents a cheaper, faster alternative to traditional drug development. The Heroes Foundation is supporting this work so that every patient has a fighting chance for a healthier, brighter future.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY SIMON
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
Minimizing adverse side effects of pediatric cancer treatments
Oncologists have become very successful at killing leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells, but months and even years of chemotherapy and radiation take their toll on young patients. The Heroes Foundation continues to bolster Jennifer Belsky, DO, MS, and her research focused on decreasing the detrimental side effects children and teens experience while receiving cancer therapy. Belsky’s team at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is using the research gift to run blood samples and conduct cognitive interviews so they can better understand the impact of a terrible chemotherapy side effect called neuropathy.
COMPLETED! INDIANA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Lung cancer startup funding has led to serving Indiana veterans
The SJP Heroes Cancer Research Fund completed a multiyear $20,000 gift to Shadia Jalal, MD, in 2021 to support her work toward preventing the recurrence of lung cancer. Dr. Jalal works in the Division of Hematology/Oncology within the Department of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Relatively small gifts like this one can lead to much larger research grants. Dr. Jalal and another researcher associated with IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center received a $1M grant in 2023 to expand lung cancer screenings to veterans across Indiana.
NEXTMSP STEPS UP IN HEROIC WAYS
Summit Partners make an impact across many fronts. NEXTmsp staff volunteer at events and provide valuable in-kind services. At Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, they dressed as lovable characters and handed out LEGO sets to patients. CEO Daniel Abdallah is also the incredible co-host of our Summits Podcast.
