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

The Community Foundation of Broward has announced two new grants for cancer research, totaling $900,000, aimed at enhancing access to cutting-edge treatments and research for cancer patients in Broward County. The grants, awarded to Memorial Foundation for Lung Cancer Biomarkers & Precision Therapy and Nova Southeastern University for Exosome-Based Immunotherapies for Melanoma, each received $450,000 over three years. These initiatives are part of the Foundation's broader effort to make Broward a hub for innovative cancer research and to ensure equitable access to treatments for all residents, including those from lower-income and minority communities.

The Memorial Foundation's project focuses on expanding a biobank for lung cancer research, collecting and analyzing samples from a diverse patient pool to discover predictive and prognostic biomarkers. This collaboration between Memorial Cancer Institute and Florida Atlantic University aims to tailor treatments based on tumor biology. Meanwhile, Nova Southeastern University's research explores how exosomes from melanoma cells treated with H1/H2 inhibitors can enhance the immune system's ability to fight melanoma, potentially leading to more effective treatments.

These grants, made possible by local philanthropists, underscore the Community Foundation's commitment to advancing cancer research and improving patient care in Broward County. Since 2016, the Foundation and its fundholders have invested over $3 million in cancer research, clinical trials, and support systems, demonstrating a sustained effort to combat cancer and support affected individuals in the community.