Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

Isabella Santos Foundation Announces Eight Inaugural Recipients of TORCH Initiative Funding


News provided by

Isabella Santos Foundation

Jan 07, 2025, 09:45 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

The Isabella Santos Foundation TORCH Initiative
The Isabella Santos Foundation TORCH Initiative

Leading Pediatric Hospitals Receive Funding to Advance Rare Cancer Research and Treatment

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and critical funds in rare pediatric cancer, proudly announces the first eight recipients of funding from its recently launched TORCH (Transformational Outcomes for Rare Cancer Heroes) Initiative. This groundbreaking program is designed to accelerate the advancement of basic science, clinical trials, and survivorship programs specifically for rare pediatric cancer heroes. After a rigorous review process conducted by a distinguished scientific committee, Novant Health, Duke University School of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Care Center and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Texas Children's Hospital, Mission Hospital, Stanford Medicine Children's Health, and Nationwide Children's Hospital have been selected to receive the inaugural grants.

The TORCH Initiative was introduced by ISF in 2024 with the goal of raising $2 million annually to support pediatric hospitals advancing research and treatments for young patients facing rare cancers. Doctors and researchers from across the nation were invited to submit proposals aimed at advancing projects encompassing clinical trials, basic science, survivorship support, or a home hospital's greatest need to serve rare cancer heroes.

"The selected recipients exemplify excellence in research and clinical care, and we are confident that the TORCH Initiative will drive meaningful advancements in the fight against rare pediatric cancers." Nilay Shah, Chair of the Scientific Committee.

Post this

A highly esteemed scientific committee, composed of leading experts in pediatric oncology, was convened to review over 16 RFPs submitted by the 14 hospitals invited to submit for the TORCH Initiative. The committee meticulously evaluated each proposal based on criteria including innovation, feasibility, and the potential to advance both basic science and clinical practices in pediatric oncology.

"We were overwhelmed by the quality and diversity of the proposals submitted," said Nilay Shah, Chair of the Scientific Committee. "The selected recipients exemplify excellence in research and clinical care, and we are confident that the TORCH Initiative will drive meaningful advancements in the fight against rare pediatric cancers."

Each of the selected hospitals will use the TORCH Initiative funding to further their efforts in critical areas of pediatric cancer research and treatment.

  • Novant Health (Charlotte, NC): Funding will support two initiatives for children with rare pediatric cancers, providing essential mental health services for patients and families and nutrient-rich meals to enhance healing and improve quality of life.
  • Duke University School of Medicine (Durham, NC): In partnership with Atrium Health, funding will be utilized to improve osteosarcoma treatment by evaluating higher methotrexate thresholds for discharge, potentially reducing hospital stays and costs while maintaining safety. Additionally, it explores the use of organoids to study tumor resistance and identify new therapeutic opportunities.
  • UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Care Center and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy (Chapel Hill, NC): Funding will expand research on CAR T-cell therapy for rare brain tumors, testing treatments in the lab to ensure only effective therapies reach patients, potentially revolutionizing treatment and improving survival and quality of life for children.
  • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA): In collaboration with Live Like Madison, funding will support the development of immune-based therapies for osteosarcoma by using advanced genetic techniques in mice to identify cancer cell weaknesses, aiming to create new treatments and potential clinical trials for pediatric bone cancer.
  • Texas Children's Hospital (Houston, TX): Funding will enhance neuroblastoma treatment by improving engineered immune cells called natural killer T cells (NKTs) to create longer-lasting, more effective therapy options for children.
  • Mission Hospital (Asheville, NC): Funding will support two initiatives to improve young patients' quality of life through the Beads of Courage program to build resilience during treatment, and therapeutic sensory equipment to create calming environments that reduce anxiety and stress.
  • Stanford Medicine Children's Health (Palo Alto, CA), Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, Ohio), Texas Children's Hospital (Houston, TX): Funds are allocated to all three institutions represented by the scientific committee, ensuring that critical research and innovative treatment programs receive the support they need to advance the fight against rare pediatric cancers.

"The TORCH Initiative demonstrates ISF's unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children facing the most challenging and rarest forms of cancer," said Erin Santos, Executive Director of ISF. "By partnering with these outstanding institutions, we are igniting change in pediatric cancer research and offering hope to young lives worldwide."

For more information about the TORCH Initiative, to learn how to submit a proposal in 2025 or to donate to the mission, please visit isftorch.org.

About the Isabella Santos Foundation:

Established in 2007, The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is dedicated to eradicating pediatric cancer's devastating impact while honoring the legacy of Isabella Santos, a courageous neuroblastoma fighter. Through the TORCH initiative, ISF provides funding for clinical trials, basic science and translational research, and survivorship support at medical institutions across North and South Carolina, igniting transformational outcomes for rare pediatric cancer heroes.

For nearly two decades, ISF has raised over $14 million to expand research and treatment and support affected families. Partnering with Atrium Health and Levine Children's Hospital, ISF funded clinical trials, developmental therapeutics and a top-tier MIBG therapy suite—one of 20 nationwide. In 2020, the Isabella Santos Rare & Solid Tumor Program launched with Levine Cancer Institute, aspiring to be a global hub for children with solid tumors and rare cancers.

Originating from one girl's mission, and carried forward by her loving mom, her family and the support of the Charlotte community, ISF's impact thrives and its ability to transform lives will endure for generations. Join our commitment to bring hope, healing and progress to young pediatric cancer heroes and their families.

ISF Media Contact:

Anna Stallmann, [email protected]

Media Contact

Anna Stallmann, Isabella Santos Foundation, 1 704-218-9362, [email protected]

SOURCE Isabella Santos Foundation

Modal title

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.