Currently 85% percent of all donations go directly to awarding grants for new discoveries in childhood cancer. Grants are reviewed and approved by our Scientific Advisory Board. As corporate sponsors step forward, the percentage of donations that go directly to science will increase.
Scientific Direction
1. Fund discovery projects at the patient level:
We believe that “helping children live” means that they must be a part of the discovery process. All projects funded by the Layla Grace Foundation will include interactions that tie back to the patient, whether it is through human interaction, tissue samples, clinical trials, or information from previous or current patients.
2. Fund discovery projects that impact the health and well being of children with cancer and their caregivers:
“Helping children live” means more than just killing the cancer cells. We recognize the need to improve their opportunities to live a normal life both while on treatment and after. The Layla Grace Foundation will give higher consideration to projects with potential to make the lives of patients and/or their caregivers better.
Grants
In 2011 our goal is to issue three discovery grants. As we satisfy the fundraising requirements for each grant “requests for proposal” will be issued along with submission guidelines. Each proposal will be evaluated and scored by the Scientific Advisory Board, and recommendations will be given to the Board of Directors for a final funding vote. All voting is governed by the by-laws of the Foundation as well as our conflict of interest policy.
Proper nutrition is fundamental to good health both during treatment and lifelong. A child’s health has a major impact on the likelihood of surviving. By funding discovery of optimal nutrition for children with cancer we hope to empower patients and caregivers with the tools they need to manage their health and give them the edge they need.
Computer technology has the potential to provide new understanding of childhood cancer at all levels from the bench to the bedside. Bringing the technology fully to bear requires funding infrastructure, people, and new ideas.
3. Symptoms Management – $100,000
All children have symptoms from their disease and/or the treatment. Symptoms may limit treatment for their cancer, require other medications, and prevent them from living a full life. By discovering how to better manage their symptoms we hope to give children a better chance to live.