Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation just contributed its one millionth dollar to pediatric cancer research with a gift to the Child Health Research Institute (CHRI) — an innovative collaboration between UNMC and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center.
About CHRI
The Child Health Research Institute aims to improve the health of children through innovative research, collaborative discovery and community engagement. The key theme in the mission is the collaborative nature between the two entities and community partners who understand the need and strategies to advance pediatric health care.
On Feb. 21, Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation presented a check for $110,000 to CHRI’s Pediatric Cancer Research Group (PCRG), led by Don Coulter, M.D., associate professor of the UNMC Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
Erin Nahorny, president of the foundation board, and Alyssa Hogeland, a member of the board of directors, presented the check to Eleanor Rogan, Ph.D., professor & chair, UNMC Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health. Dr. Rogan will use the funds for continued work on the Nebraska Watershed Project, a research project within the PCRG.
The gift marks a milestone in the foundation’s fundraising for pediatric cancer research — their one millionth dollar raised.
About Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation
A notable CHRI partner, Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation is dedicated to awareness and funding of life-saving research for pediatric cancer, Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation’s success is measured by the number of people they can help through the programs and services they provide.
The current gift will allow Dr. Rogan and her team of researchers to pursue discoveries connecting watersheds with a high incidence of pediatric cancer in Nebraska. From increasing the number of researchers on this project, to implementing computer modeling to fill in the gaps on historical data, the funding from Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation meets the overarching goal of understanding the possible environmental factors that lead to pediatric cancer.
Nahorny explained why the foundation decided to fund the research.
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The check presentation was held on Feb. 21. |
“Nebraska leads the Midwest in the incidence rate of childhood cancer per capita and cancer is the number one cause of death by disease in children,” she said. “This is a major health issue in Nebraska and we are thankful to be able to support the Watershed Project in helping to determine why Nebraska has such an alarming rate of childhood cancer.”
Ann Anderson Berry, M.D., Ph.D., interim executive director, CHRI, said CHRI and PCRG are grateful for the support.
“To be honest, today’s children can’t wait for innovations tomorrow,” Dr. Anderson Berry said.
Congratulations, Dr. Rogan!
Very good