Dr. Annie Huang Awarded the 2023 Inaugural DECRYPT Research Grant for Rare Pediatric Brain Tumours

[Toronto, December 13, 2023] – In 2022, seven Canadian charities partnered to create the Defeating Embryonal Cancer in Young People Together (DECRYPT) Research Grant. This initiative intended to challenge the current childhood embryonal cancer landscape by providing funding for a research project that will address an unmet need for these pediatric brain cancers. 
 
Embryonal brain tumors are the most common malignant brain cancers in young children, with 60% of them being rare and highly aggressive. Unfortunately, most children diagnosed with brain cancer either do not survive the disease or experience permanent impairments, resulting from the combination of aggressive treatments.
 
The DECRYPT grant is designed to fund research that will ideally lead to a significant change in the understanding, diagnosis, and/or treatment of childhood embryonal brain tumours.  This exceptional grant is funded by Kindred Foundation, Cancer Research Society (CRS), Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, The Miracle Marnie Foundation, Childhood Cancer Canada, and Tali’s Fund.

We are pleased to announce the awardee of the inaugural 2023 DECRYPT Research Grant – Dr. Annie Huang and colleagues for the research project titled: “A C17babybrains DECRYPT Feasibility Trial for Children <6 Years Old with High-Risk Embryonal Brain Tumours.”

“This has been our dream to truly leverage the collective strength of world leading Canadian-led innovative science and clinical medicine in pediatric brain tumors, to achieve the same survival and quality of survival for brain tumor patients as has been achieved for children with leukemia.” - Dr. Annie Huang.
 
“Children with rare embryonal brain tumours are in need of better, safer, and more directed therapies.  We are hopeful that the C17babybrains DECRYPT Feasibility Trial will help to better illuminate this path forward,” said Antonia Palmer, Executive Director of Kindred Foundation.
 
All DECRYPT charity partners wish to congratulate Dr. Huang and we look forward to seeing the work unfold.  The DECRYPT Research Grant provides a significant investment of $600,000 CAD for this 4-year research project. 

Kindred Foundation:
Kindred Foundation is dedicated to funding programs, projects, and research in the areas of childhood cancer, youth mental and physical health, and community support.  Their vision is to boldly advance cures, treatments, and supports for children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing health and life challenges in our communities.  To ensure sustainable giving, Kindred Foundation is built on a solid financial endowment model with 100% of receipted donations directed towards the charitable purpose.
www.kindredfoundation.ca
 
Cancer Research Society:
Founded in 1945, the Cancer Research Society (CRS) is one of the only Canadian organizations exclusively dedicated to research into all types of cancer. Since its inception, the CRS has supported thousands of researchers who have made significant advances in cancer prevention, detection and treatment. Thanks to the generosity of partners and donors throughout Canada, the CRS has distributed over $355 million in research grants and scholarships since its creation.
CancerResearchSociety.ca
 
Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation:
Founded in 2016 in memory of Phoebe Rose Doull-Hoffman, the Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation raises awareness and funds for childhood cancer research and in support of families travelling for treatment.  
The Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation aims to foster positive change within the childhood cancer community. Their mission is to “make it okay” for kids with cancer and since 2016, they have directed over $600,000 towards research of hard to treat and cure childhood cancers and sent financial support to kids all across Canada and in the US.
phoeberoserocks.com
 
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada:
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is the only national charity offering information and support to patients affected by any kind of brain tumour – be it cancerous, non-malignant or metastases. The organization funds ground-breaking research across North America and, since 1982, has dedicated nearly $10 million to finding a cure and improving treatment for brain tumour survivors. Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is funded solely through generous contributions from individuals, corporations, organizations, employee groups and special events.
www.braintumour.ca
 
The Miracle Marnie Foundation:
We desire to come alongside families, charities, hospitals/programs, and organizations so that we may enhance
the lives of those children who are currently in treatment, support the families of those who have or continue to
walk in treatment. We wish to accomplish these tangibles by aligning ourselves with many organizations
including local churches in Ottawa, Ontario, and around the world when children are diagnosed and families are
in need. We have a vision to bring awareness to the growing public health crisis of childhood cancer and to
advocate for change by meeting with Health Canada and Governments at all levels.
www.miraclemarniefoundation.com
 
Childhood Cancer Canada:
Since 1987, Childhood Cancer Canada's mission has been to create victories for Canadian children with cancer through investment in national, collaborative, and lifesaving research, as well as empowering education, and community programs. The Foundation has been able to support more than 17,000 families throughout Canada whose children have been diagnosed with cancer with its programs including Empower Packs, Emergency Fund, Survivor Scholarships, and the Benevolent Fund. CCC is also the primary charitable funding partner of clinical trials and childhood cancer research for C17, comprised of leading pediatric oncologists and hematologists in Canada.
www.childhoodcancer.ca
 
Tali’s Fund:
Tali’s Fund was established in 2008, in loving memory of Tal Esther Doron, who died at age 4 after a brave struggle with ATRT, a rare and aggressive embryonal brain tumour.  Tali’s Fund supports research targeting safe, effective treatments for children with rare brain cancers.  They also strive to collaborate globally to help promote awareness of research, resources, and treatments related to childhood brain cancers.  Tali’s Fund’s consistent support of ATRT research at SickKids Hospital over the last 14 years has led to landmark findings, as well as a global collaborative research effort with over 150 participating centres worldwide.  They also help support the Rare Brain Tumour Consortium, an international online registry with a wide network of physicians and scientists dedicated to making rare brain tumours in children a curable disease. The RBTC Registry has already enabled researchers to make ground-breaking advances in their knowledge about several types of rare brain tumours, including ATRT, Pineoblastoma, and ETMR.
www.talisfund.org
 
For more information, please contact:
Angie Ramalho
Interim Executive Director 
[email protected] 
(416) 727-6795