Community Foundation of Broward Awards $900,000 in Grants for Cancer Research

The Community Foundation of Broward has announced two new grants aimed at advancing cancer research and treatment in Broward County, with a total funding of $900,000. These grants are part of the Foundation's ongoing commitment to making cutting-edge cancer research and therapies more accessible to local patients, particularly those from underserved communities.

One grant, awarded to the Memorial Foundation, focuses on lung cancer biomarkers and precision therapy. This $450,000 project aims to enhance a biobank by collecting and analyzing samples from 150 lung cancer patients, including those from diverse backgrounds and at various stages of the disease. The research, a collaboration between the Memorial Cancer Institute and Florida Atlantic University, seeks to discover predictive and prognostic biomarkers for tailored treatments.

The second grant, also worth $450,000, goes to Nova Southeastern University for research on exosome-based immunotherapies for melanoma. This study will explore how exosomes from melanoma cells treated with H1/H2 inhibitors affect the immune system, potentially leading to more effective treatments. The project is led by Dmitriy Minond, Ph.D., and Vladimir Beljanski, Ph.D., from NSU.

These grants underscore the Community Foundation's dedication to closing health equity gaps and ensuring that all Broward County residents have access to the best possible cancer care. Since 2016, the Foundation and its fundholders have invested over $3 million in local cancer research, significantly impacting the lives of patients and their families.