Aiming for a Cure Foundation funds UI pediatric cancer research

Two researchers at University of Iowa Children's Hospital have been awarded a total of $100,000 in 2007 Aiming for a Cure Foundation grants, which were made through the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the UI. The two-year grants were effective Oct. 1.

The Aiming for a Cure Foundation raises funds to benefit pediatric oncology patients and families at UI Children's Hospital at UI Hospitals and Clinics. The goal is to improve the quality of care and life for these children through the funding of research and patient care. The award recipients are both members of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Joel Shilyansky, M.D., UI associate professor and director of pediatric surgery and the Robert and Hélène Soper Chair in Pediatric Surgery, received $50,000 for a study on neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer that forms in nerve tissue and is often incurable. Neuroblastoma is adept at evading the immune system and avoiding immune destruction. By understanding how neuroblastoma evades the immune system researches can learn how to improve cancer treatment. Shilyansky's team will focus on a phospholipid called phosphatidylserine that helps neuroblastoma subvert patients' immune system. The team will investigate whether a certain protein that can block phosphatidylserine would increase immunity against the tumor. This approach could eventually be used clinically to train patients' immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. The approach also could possibly lead to more generally applicable and effective treatment for neuroblastoma and other cancers.

Rajeev Vibhakar, M.D., Ph.D., UI assistant professor of pediatrics, also received $50,000 for basic research related to medulloblastoma, a brain tumor that is the leading cause of cancer death in children under age 15. The team specifically will investigate whether DNA methylation -- the addition of methyl to a piece of DNA -- blocks a gene's ability to function. The researchers hypothesize that DNA methylation blocks expression of tumor suppressor genes in medulloblastoma and that these methylation marks can be used as diagnostic tools. The team hopes to develop and validate a set of biomarkers that can then be tested in a large clinical study, with the goal of tailoring treatment to each individual's disease and developing therapies that have less toxic side effects.

UI Children's Hospital serves children and their families at its main campus in Iowa City and satellite clinics in communities throughout the region. A 180-bed "hospital within a hospital," UI Children's Hospital benefits from the sophisticated services and comprehensive resources of UI Hospitals and Clinics. Child magazine ranks UI Children's Hospital among the top 20 children's hospitals in the nation. Learn more at http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/uichildrenshospital.

The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is Iowa's only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center. NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers are recognized as the leaders in developing new approaches to cancer prevention and cancer care, conducting leading edge research and educating the public about cancer. Visit the center online at http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/cancercenter.

STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa Health Science Relations, 5137 Westlawn, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1178

Coralville shopping spree benefits kids with cancer

By Diane Heldt
Reprinted from The Gazette

November 16, 2007 - If a toy played a song, made a noise or had button to push, Simeon Smith had to test it.

Simeon, 6 of Iowa City was on a mission to spend thousands of dollars on toys, games and stuffed animals at the Coralville Wal-Mart store Thursday, and he wanted to make sure to choose the best stuff.

But the toys weren’t for him. They’re items that will be given away throughout the year to patients at the University of Iowa Children’s hospital in Iowa City.

“I have this one. It gives me good luck” Simeon, son of Kari and Johann Smith, said as he put a toy fire truck in the cart.

Simeon and Sierra Manning, 7 of Cedar Rapids were chosen for their toy-buying expertise by Children’s Hospital staff because both have received gifts during past stays at the hospital for cancer treatment. The $5000.00 spree was made possible by Aiming For A Cure, a group formed by Central City parents, Steve and Jodie Ries in honor of their son, Ben, who died of cancer in June 2005, to support the hospital’s bone marrow transplant program.

Sierra, daughter of Jodee and Lyle Manning, said she was keeping in mind what things she would like in picking out the toys. “they’re gonna be surprised,:” she said of the future recipients. In a flurry of toy-buying sierra and Simeon filled eight shopping carts in less than an hour. There were assisted by Simeon’s younger brother, Ammon and younger sister, Corrine and a few adults, who push carts, reached items on the high shelves and kept track of the running total as toys landed in the carts.

Dora the Explorer, Elmo and Spiderman were popular picks, along with toy cars. Toward the end of the shopping expedition, Simeon checked in with Sierra to make sure they were hitting all the key toy demographics.

“Have you picked out any princess stuff” he asked her. “We picked out a lot,” she replied.

2006 AFAC Raffle Winner Takes Trip

Bruce Freeman was the lucky 2006 AFAC Raffle Winner for an all expense paid guided Elk hunt at Heaven’s Gate in Riggins, Idaho.

Four of his friends paid their own way to enjoy their own hunting experiences. After arriving at their Heaven’s Gate Lodge they got their gear, provisions, guide and the cook to find out they would preceded by horse back to their camp which was a 3 hour trip at an elevation of 5000 feet in the mountains. The first day out Bruce bagged a 3 year old 5 X 5 Bull Elk that weighed in at about 700 lbs. He took this trophy West of Riggins, up from Cooper Creek in the West Fork. It was a fantastic experience and he said the whole deal was “Top Notch”!

Oh yes, as for the friends that accompanied Bruce they got keepers, too. Jerry Halverson shot a beautiful Mule Deer and Dave Foster shot a 6 x 6 Elk and a Mule Deer. Another one for the books!

Bob Dostal Memorial Golf Outing donates $7,700 to Aiming for a Cure

Mary Dostal with Tonya & Dave Kahler

The Dostal Family has raised over $10,000 in the first 3 years including the past event which raised $7700 alone. This family is on fire for raising money for Aiming for a Cure in memory of a father, husband and nephew. This event and this family deserve great recognition for their time and efforts…but most importantly for their hearts being in the right place!

Aiming for a Cure gives the Children's Hospital of Iowa a check for $125,000

Wal-Mart donates $16K to Aiming for a Cure

The Wal-Mart Foundation on Monday gave $16,000 to Aiming for a Cure, an organization that raises money to help pediatric oncology patients at the Children’s Hospital of Iowa.

The check was presented in the hospital’s newly renovated children’s cancer center. Since 1988, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have donated more than $6.5 million to the Children’s Hospital of Iowa. During that time, the company has helped the Children’s Miracle Network raise more than $350 million.

Aiming for a Cure is a non-profit organization that supports children and their families when they seek care at University Hospitals. The group strives to improve the patient’s quality of care and the quality of life through research funding.

Hunter's Specialties' 3rd Annual Aiming for a Cure Proceeds Donated

Members of the Steering Committee of Aiming for a Cure presented a check for $100,000 to Dr. Fred Goldman of Children's Hospital of Iowa.

Front row, Susan Grosclaude, Lisa Baum, Michelle Altmaier, Carla Friis, Shelley Kruse, Ryan Giannini, Back row: Wade Wamre, Randy Fitzgerald, Dave Tatman, Mark Reed, Dr. Goldman, Steve Ries, Founder, Tim Anderson, Curt Friis and Ed Kempf

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