The first research project Megan funded at the Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute was to study the drug Entinostat for use in treating rhabdomyosarcoma. In terms of a drug study, this research has progressed quickly, but it was not quick enough for Megan. She knew that RMS patients such as herself did not have the luxury of time, so she once again reached out to Dr. Charles Keller at cc-TDI and challenged him. Together, they came up with the idea of rapidly testing already FDA approved drugs to determine their efficacy in treating RMS. Any success would allow much quicker access for RMS patients, which was so important to Megan. As she usually did, Megan told Dr. Keller that she would raise the money and make this study happen…not just for her benefit, but for the benefit of so many other RMS patients searching for hope.

Megan aggressively raised $244,687 to fund what became known as the Citizen Scientist Program. The funds she raised paid for cc-TDI to dedicate a talented and innovative full time researcher to this project (Kiyo Nagamori…pictured), and once again, we are starting to see encouraging results. It took the testing of many different drugs, many of which were determined ineffective, to finally find that glimmer of hope. This research has recently discovered drugs with the possibility of inhibiting the Pax3-Fox01 protein, which is the key to more effectively treating rhabdomyosarcoma. cc-TDI has taken their promising preliminary research results to apply for a grant with the National Institute of Health. Just as is the case with Entinostat, success with this study could be groundbreaking in improving the treatment outcomes for kids with RMS.

Thanks to so many generous people and organizations, the Megan’s Mission Foundation continues to financially support the research projects that Megan founded at cc-TDI. Although we are excited with the progress being made, we have so much more work to do if we are to successfully develop more effective and less toxic treatments for RMS. So many kids and their families are counting on our success. Please consider a donation to support our efforts on behalf of all kids fighting this terrible disease that took our Megan from us far too soon.