2018 Special Project Grant

Mark Souweidane, Recipient

Weill Cornell Medical College

Supporting Innovative DIPG Research: Dr. Mark Souweidane’s Lab

Abstract:

Our foundation is deeply committed to advancing research that brings new hope to children battling DIPG / DMG. One of the most significant ways we've done this is by supporting the pioneering work of Dr. Mark Souweidane at Weill Cornell Medical College, one of the world’s foremost experts in DIPG research and treatment. Dr. Souweidane’s research focuses on developing innovative, targeted therapies to directly deliver treatment to the brainstem, where DIPG tumors are located.

This partnership holds special significance for our foundation. Chad Carr, from one of our founding families, bravely participated in Dr. Souweidane’s clinical trial during his fight against DIPG. Chad’s participation was part of a larger effort to bring forward new treatment approaches for this devastating disease, including Dr. Souweidane’s groundbreaking work on convection-enhanced delivery (CED), a method that allows drugs to bypass the blood-brain barrier and reach the tumor directly.

The impact of supporting Dr. Souweidane’s research is profound. His innovative techniques have opened new avenues of hope for families facing DIPG, providing more effective, targeted treatment options that are desperately needed. By funding his lab, we are accelerating the development of therapies that could significantly improve outcomes for children with DIPG.