Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation

V Foundation x Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation

The V Foundation has teamed up with Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation (JGCF), led by vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports and four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, to co-fund three All-Star Grant awards valued at $1 million each and dedicated to pediatric cancer research. The $1.5 million gift, which is matched by the V Foundation to bring the total to $3 million, will spur innovative cancer research to strengthen pediatric cancer treatment and cures in the future.

All Star Grant Award Honoring Shizhen (Jane) Zhu, MD, PhD

Dr. Zhu joined a Zoom call thinking she would be asked about her research proposal. Instead, Dr. Zhu was surprised by members of the V Foundation and Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation as they announced that she was awarded a Pediatric All-Star Grant co-funded by the organizations.

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children, but the good news is research is helping to save lives.

More than 15,000 children ages 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. The need for pediatric cancer research is great as it receives minimal federal funding. Private support through organizations like the V Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation is a critical component of pediatric research support.

84.7%

The 5-year survival rate for children (0-14) has increased from 58% to 84.7% from the mid-1970s to 2017.

85.8%

For adolescents (15-19) it has increased from 68% to 85.8% during that same time period.

“I’ve learned from my years in auto racing that the way you go and attack a problem, and solve that problem, is to do it as a team. We believe our collaboration with the V Foundation has the power to truly catapult discoveries in the treatment of childhood cancer.” – Jeff Gordon

About Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation

Founded in 1999, JGCF is laser-focused on improving outcomes for kids fighting cancer. Ever since Gordon’s rookie season in NASCAR’s Cup Series when his crew chief’s infant son was diagnosed with leukemia, Gordon has pursued pediatric cancer with the same trademark intensity as he pursued opponents on the track. To date, JGCF has funded more than $25 million in research grants to identify less toxic, more effective treatments for childhood cancer.

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Partnership-funded Researchers

The All-Star Grant award is reserved for cancer researchers who were previously funded by the V Foundation and who have continued to make outstanding contributions. The recipients of the three Pediatric All-Star Grants co-funded by Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation are:

Megan McNerney, MD, PhD

University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

Restoring CUX1 levels in myeloid malignancies of childhood, 2023

Christopher R. Vakoc, MD, PhD

Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory

High-resolution functional mapping and in vitro reconstitution of the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion oncoprotein complex, 2023

Shizhen (Jane) Zhu, MD, PhD

Mayo Clinic Children’s Research Center (Minnesota)

Developing innovative anti-GD2 CAR-Macrophages for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma, 2023

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