V Foundation Match for Cancer 2018

The University of Kansas Cancer Center is excited to announce a collaboration with the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Hunt Family Foundation to support our fight against cancer. The V Foundation, founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano, is partnering with the Chiefs and the Hunt Family Foundation to offer a 3 to 1 matching grant of $150,000. The grant will support a junior researcher who is conducting innovative cancer research at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

To meet this challenge grant, The University of Kansas Cancer Center must raise $50,000 before October 31. ESPN and the V Foundation will support our efforts as part of their Blitz Cancer campaign. This national exposure is priceless! While we are humbled with gratitude, we have work to do.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center is one of 70 cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. KU Cancer Center operates as a matrix organization that includes the following partners: The University of Kansas, the University of Kansas Medical Center, The University of Kansas Health System, Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Children’s Mercy

Research Update from Dr. Markiewicz

Mary Markiewicz, Ph.D., researcher with The University of Kansas Cancer Center and recipient of last year’s grant, has dedicated much of her career to studying a type of immune cell called Natural Killer (NK) cells. The grant supported Dr. Markiewicz and her team’s efforts to test the effects of manipulating NK cells and then observing how the modified NK cells fought off tumor growth.

“Research indicates that NK cell-based immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer holds promise. However, there is a protein believed to hinder the therapy’s success,” Dr. Markiewicz said.

Initial tests have shown promising results, so now Dr. Markiewicz’s team is trying to understand the “why” behind it while continuing to make advances.

The work made possible by this grant spurred an additional, separate project involving T cells (a type of white blood cell).

“Because of the support of the V Foundation, the Kansas City Chiefs and individual donors, we are one step closer to the possibility of a more effective cancer therapy,” Dr. Markiewicz said.

We need your help to take full advantage of this very generous match to continue making strides in the battle against cancer. Please join us to raise $50,000 for The University of Kansas Cancer Center by October 31.

For more information, visit the V Foundation online at https://www.jimmyv.org and The University of Kansas Cancer Center at www.kucancercenter.org.