Uncle Kory Foundation
Overview
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Posted Opportunities 0
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Founded Since 1850
Company Description
OUR MISSION IS BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH
Cancer is limited. It cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith. It cannot silence courage.
SELFLESS GIVING
The essence of Kory was selfless giving. He volunteered every chance he could. He felt a strong need to give back to the community and to help others less fortunate. He helped build homes in Mexico, volunteered at his local church in feeding the homeless, and served on the PTA Board at the local elementary school.
In 2013, even during treatment, he served as a representative to the local school foundation, and helped set up a camp and raise funds for children with medical needs. And finally, when his health precluded him from continuing at work, Kory called his church to see what volunteer work he could do from home.
Kory never complained about his illness and continued to keep a selfless attitude, always caring about the well being of others. His largest frustration was losing his independence, and his biggest regret was saying goodbye to his adoring wife and three young children.
Kory is survived by his spouse, Rory, his children, Ethan, Dylan and Kailey, his parents, Jim and Joanne Hunter, his mother and father-in-law, Judy and Mike Morrison, his sister and brother-in-law, Mandy and Heath Gregory, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Riley and Kelli Morrison. The 8 circles in the UKF logo symbolize his children, nephews and niece who consumed such a large part of his heart.
The Uncle Kory Foundation looks forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations to inspire and bring hope to those who are facing such life-altering challenges. GBM accounts for approximately 17 percent of all brain tumors and increases in frequency with age, affecting more men than women. Unfortunately for all of them, the prognosis is grim, as few will live to see 3 years after diagnosis. Most patients will live only 6-18 months. The entire family is affected by the devastating news. The Uncle Kory Foundation’s mission is to advance innovative and collaborative brain cancer research to specifically improve the survival rate and treatment of those diagnosed with Glioblastoma (GBM).
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
Staying in line with our mission, the Uncle Kory Foundation funds innovative research for brain cancer treatments and cures.
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As of January 2023, UKF has awarded $3,181,150 in grants to 55 projects.
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$1,500,000 funded to Research Seed Grants including $300,000 in renewals
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$903,000 in ongoing research at UCLA Neuro-Oncology
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$565,000 funded Pediatric Specific Brain Cancer Research
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$400,000 in research to Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center – Duke University
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$159,000 in Collaborative Research Grants
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$100,000 for the Fight Like the Averys Grant – F.L.A.G Pediatric Grant
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$50,000 to the GBM Agile – Global Coalition for Adaptive Research
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These grants focused on brain cancer in multiple tumor types and neuro-oncology treatments:
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Glioblastoma, Medulloblastoma, Pediatric Medulloblastoma, Pediatric DIPG, treatments for all malignant brain tumors, and neuro-oncology research.
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Research areas of focus have focused on multiple projects including:
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Immunotherapy, “Guided-Missle” approach, Immunotoxin and Chemotherapy Combination therapy, Human Mesenchymal Stem-cell based therapy, Precision Medicine, and Apoptic Blocks in treatment.
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RESEARCH UPDATES
The Uncle Kory Foundation’s mission to fund innovative brain cancer research begins by funding new ideas that can grow into larger studies and grants. Here are a few recent announcements and developments to our previous grants.
“Role of FAP-positive cells in immune response to irradiated glioblastoma,” was awarded a R21 research grant funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for 2 years for a total amount of $375,000. Principal investigator Claire Vanpouille-Box, PHD, Weill Cornell Medicine, 2021 UKF Seed Grant Awardee.
“Extracellular vesicles in the glioblastoma microenvironment: A diagnostic and therapeutic perspective,” published on June 2023. The UKF 2021 and 2022 renewal Seed Grant Award contributed to this research by Hugo Guerrero-Cazares, MD, PHD.
“Epigenetic Regulation in Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas,” was awarded a R01 Grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) for 5 years up to $250,000 per year. Principal investigator Jian Hu PHD, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 UKF Seed Grant Awardee.
“Rapid PTEFb-dependent transcriptional reorganization underpins the glioma adaptive response to radiotherapy,” published on January 2023. The UKF 2021 Seed Grant Award contributed to this research by Nathan Dahl, MD of University of Colorado. More importantly, a first-in-pediatrics clinical trial for zotiraciclib is now being proposed on the basis of this work and is currently in development through the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium.
“Overcoming Resistance to CAR T Immunotherapy with CBP/β-catenin Antagonists ICG-001 in BrainTumors: The Road Ahead Towards Metabolic Enhancement of Cancer Immunotherapy,” a 2020 Seed Grant Award, principal investigator, MARGARITA GUTOVA, MD, City of Hope was awarded two years of additional funding for this project by the B+ Foundation.
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