American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) Awards $2.6 Million for Brain Tumor Research
The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) awarded $2.6 million in the 2008-2009 fiscal year - the largest amount ever granted in one year during the organization's 35-year history - to support adult and pediatric tumor research throughout the United States and Canada.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 2, 2008
The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) awarded $2.6 million in the 2008-2009 fiscal year - the largest amount ever granted in one year during the organization's 35-year history - to support adult and pediatric tumor research throughout the United States and Canada.
The funding includes Research Fellowships awarded to young, talented scientists working to further decode the origins of specific brain tumors, and ultimately, to find new and effective treatments. Each Fellow will receive $80,000 over a two-year period. In addition, nine grants ($50,000 each) were awarded to scientists investigating promising laboratory research for potential further study and eventual clinical (patient) use. Another 10 awards were granted to outstanding medical students. They will each receive $2,500 stipends allowing them to work alongside prominent brain tumor researchers.
"Through its research awards, ABTA is encouraging scientists to enter or remain in the field of brain tumor research," said ABTA Executive Director Naomi Berkowitz. "This is critical as brain tumor research is evolving at a rapid pace. Today's scientists are studying the cellular structure of brain tumors toward developing future, successful treatments."
"We are hopeful that the research we fund today will lead to more effective treatments, better delivery methods, and a greater understanding of the causes of brain tumors," said ABTA Board President Michael Sharkey. "We are often asked: 'How is ABTA making a difference?' We simply need to look at the 360,000 people in the United States who are living with a brain tumor. They are proof that progress is being made through research."
Founded in 1973, ABTA seeks to eliminate brain tumors through research while meeting the education and social service needs of brain tumor patients, their families and caregivers.
Each fall, ABTA requests applications for its annual research awards. The applications are then evaluated by the organization's prestigious 21-member Scientific Advisory Council, which includes some of the nation's most prominent neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists and neuroscientists. The council makes funding recommendations to the ABTA Board of Directors based on the quality of the individual applicants, their training programs, and research projects.
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