Special Project Grant Awarded to Cynthia Hawkins

Our foundation proudly provided financial support to Dr. Cynthia Hawkins' lab at SickKids in Toronto—one of the world’s leading pediatric brain tumor research centers. Dr. Hawkins is a globally recognized expert in pediatric brain cancer, with a particular focus on DIPG, one of the most aggressive and challenging childhood cancers.

Our funding helped fuel critical discoveries that advanced the understanding of DIPG, especially its genetic drivers, such as the H3K27M mutation. This mutation is key to DIPG's growth and resistance to traditional treatments, and Dr. Hawkins’ work has been instrumental in identifying new biomarkers and uncovering potential therapeutic targets. These discoveries are vital steps toward developing innovative, more effective treatments for children diagnosed with this devastating disease.

By funding Dr. Hawkins’ research, we were not just supporting lab work—we were contributing to a global effort to find answers and solutions for DIPG. Our donors made it possible for this research team to move science forward in a meaningful way, accelerating the path toward better treatment options and giving hope to families around the world.

The breakthroughs made during the years of our support serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of sustained, focused investment in cutting-edge research. By continuing to support labs like Dr. Hawkins’, we are helping to pave the way for future clinical trials and innovative therapies that could one day change the course of DIPG.