The Breast Cancer Coalition recently announced it is awarding $100,000 in seed grant funding to three researchers from the Rochester area.
The Sylvia Cappellino Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant is awarded to Ajay Dhakal, medical oncologist at the Wilmot Cancer Institute in the amount of $50,000; The Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant is awarded to Fatemeh Alimohammadi and Zachary Robert Smith, doctoral candidates at the University of Rochester, in the amount of $25,000 per grant.
A unique feature of the coalition’s research initiative is the essential input and involvement of survivor advocates in the grant proposal review process.
“I’m honored to be part of an organization that places such a high value on survivor advocates having a seat at the table,” said Christina Thompson, executive director of the Breast Cancer Coalition. “Through our research initiative, the Breast Cancer Coalition ensures that the voices of those most impacted by a diagnosis are heard, respected, and meaningfully included in shaping the future of breast and gynecologic cancer research.”
Since 2003, the coalition has annually awarded grants to fund innovative projects with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs in the cause and prevention of breast cancer, prevention of metastasis, and cure. With these latest awards, the coalition has provided $1,226,125 in funding to researchers in New York state. Grant recipients are selected through a competitive application and review process involving regional scientists, clinicians and survivor advocates.