2024 Alison's Allies Project
Tremendous generosity! The 2024 Alison’s Allies fundraising was an immense success! A goal of $15,000 was set. The goal was TRIPLED! $45,000 WAS RAISED! Total raised since 2010 = $280,000+! Lots of people made it happen! T-shirt sponsor Harlan C. Parker and Jason Parker State Farm Agencies, the Jared Coones Pumpkin Run Foundation, team walkers, helpers, incentive contributors (Garmin, KC Current, Shop Beautiful, absorb-lumen), & 200+ donors.
I am humbled by such generosity! Together we are making a difference!
CHECK OUT THE CHECK PRESENTATION PICTURES BELOW!
The 2024 Alison’s Allies project focused on breast cancer research. After visiting with Dr. Roy Jensen [Vice Chancellor & Dir. of the KU Cancer Center], Alison's Allies partnered with the KU Cancer Center and KU Medical Center to support a pilot research project. Pilot research studies, fundamental to the research process, are lack funding sources. Pilot research projects help to define the research question(s) and test the proposed study design and processes allowing researchers to seek additional funding and move to clinical trials. Breast cancer research impacts breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment for tomorrow!
Together, we can make a difference!
2024 PILOT RESEARCH PROJECT:
Through this pilot research project, Dr. Danny Welch and researchers in his lab will further study METASTATIC BREAST CANCER (mBC). The primary cause of breast cancer deaths and loss of quality of life is a process called metastasis. Metastatic breast cancer (mBC), also known as stage IV breast cancer, can be any size and occurs when cancer has spread outside the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, liver, or brain. While some women with mBC have never had breast cancer before, most have had early breast cancer. In fact, roughly 20%-30% of women who’ve had breast cancer will develop metastatic breast cancer. And it can develop regardless of treatment or preventative measures taken.
Dr. Welch’s laboratory is focused on determining the genetic causes of metastatic breast cancer (mBC). The hypothesis of the study is that mitochondrial genetics contribute to the aggressiveness of breast cancer metastasis. To better understand the contributions of mitochondrial genes, Dr. Welch's lab proposes to continue their study into the cause of metastatic cancer disease.
Researchers in Dr. Welch's Lab Studying Metastatic Breast Cancer
HEAR FROM RESEARCHER DR. DANNY WELCH:
Meet Dr. Danny Welch. Long time researcher in metastatic cancer disease, including metastatic breast cancer (BC).Dr. Welch’s Background in Research: youtu.be/cREoqHp29ys
Hear Dr. Danny Welch talk about why he chose to focus on metastatic breast cancer: youtu.be/MVnROBgpMK4
Dr. Welch shares what he and his lab colleagues hope to accomplish with the pilot research project funded by Alison's Allies: youtu.be/6ojm-P13yyc
Two METASTATIC BREAST CANCER THRIVERS &
one individual who lost her life to mBC.
The 2024 Face of Alison's Allies!
Meet CAMY STAMP CRANK: Listen to her stories on YouTube:
Meet Camy and hear her mBC story! https://youtu.be/-DsWdtRuh-0
Camy shares what helps her trough mBC: https://youtu.be/d23Dqri7Ij0
The importance of research is shared by Camy: https://youtu.be/PhFLWZPxy-M
Camy i s the author of “"Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: What I Lost and Gained Through Breast Cancer". https://youtu.be/G5hVfhB_XQk
Camy and her husband will send a FREE copy of the book to any breast cancer survivor! Email her at: camycrank@gmail.com
Meet Cindy Mitchell Martin: Listen to her stories on YouTube
Meet Cindy and hear her mBC story: youtu.be/4hIoY5dF-GA
Cindy shares what has helped her through a diagnosis like mBC: youtu.be/KYtuXUg6rYQ
Cindy talks about why research is so important! youtu.be/Q1K20oKKdlg
Meet Jessica Louise Robinson: Jessica Louise Robinson passed away on April 14th, 2024 at the age of 32. Jessica was surrounded by the support of loved ones. She fought hard against her diagnosis of triple negative metastatic breast cancer. Her story with cancer was too short, but her fight was for the best quality of life and time with those that she loved. Jessica was the niece of Cindy Mitchell Martin who shares Jessica's story. youtu.be/iPxZIelYi58
$15,000 GOAL SURPRASSED!
The 2023 Alison’s Allies fundraising was an immense success! In fact, the amount raised was DOUBLE the original $15,000 goal! Because of the generosity of 200+ donors, we SURPASSED our goal, raising nearly $30,000! Dr. Roy Jensen, Vice-Chancelor Director of the KU Cancer Center, suggested we apply this additional funding in the following way:
Provide an additional $5,000 to the 2023 Sharma/Stecklein project on TNBC. (total $20,000 vs. $15,000)
Provide additional funds to the 2022 Dr. Joan Lewis-Wambi project ($15,000 + an additional $5,000).
Provide additional funds for the 2021 breast cancer screening of African American women project (original $15,000 + additional $5,000=$20,000). These funds are managed by the Masonic Cancer Alliance and the events spearheaded by the KC Breast Cancer Health Equity Task Force which includes Alison).
During the annual KU Cancer Biology Meeting on 11.7.25 held at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus BIG checks were presented to Alison's Allies 2024 recipients.
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