Thanks to all donors & supporters for the faith they place in the Alison’s Allies mission!
Together "A FORCE for GOOD"!
Check out the Video!
YouTube: 2025 DONORS NAMES
or Instagram: 2025 DONORS [Instagram]
[LOOKS BEST ON A PHONE!]
CHECK OUT THE CHECK PRESENTATION PICTURES BELOW!
The 2025 Alison’s Allies project focused on breast cancer research. After visiting with Dr. Roy Jensen [Vice Chancellor & Dir. of the KU Cancer Center], Alison's Allies partnered with the KU Cancer Center to support a pilot research project. Pilot research studies, fundamental to the research process, are lack funding sources. Pilot research projects help to define the research question(s) and test the proposed study design and processes allowing researchers to seek additional funding and move to clinical trials. Breast cancer research impacts breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment for tomorrow!
2025 project set a goal to raise $15,000+ for This year’s pilot research project spearheaded by Dr. Priyanka Sharma (KU CANCER CENTER). The focus of the research is the highly aggressive TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER (TNBC). DR. SHARMA is a renowned experts in the area of TNBC! The pilot project data will be used to apply for a large-scale grant! Funding for research was critically important in 2025 b/c of the reduction in funds for research.
Together, we can make a difference!
The best word to describe the lab tour some of 𝘼𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣’𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 supporters witnessed! 𝘿𝙧. 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙖 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖, whose research we have funded in the past & are raising funds for again this year, was so gracious to give of her time & expertise! Her lab’s research is on the highly aggressive 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧 (𝙏𝙉𝘽𝘾). So thankful for all of the KU Cancer Center researchers & staff who led the tour!
* Dr. Priyanka Sharma, MD - Practicing Oncologist & Researcher! Asst. Dir. Of Clinical Research, Co-Leader Drug Discovery
*Dr. Harsh Pathak, PhD – Researcher & Associate Professor
*Dr. Amitra Mitra, PhD – Research Associate
*Hope Kreybill, MSW, BSN,RN – Exec. Director Masonic Cancer Alliance (KU Cancer Center)
*Josh Staley, MS, PhD candidate - Senior Research Associate
*India Fernandez, BS - Clinical Research Assistant
*Melissa Scanlon – Development Admin., KU Endowment
INSIGHTS:
-Research requires BRILLIANT individuals!
-Research is complex!
-Research requires lots of technical equipment! This isn’t my high lab with just test tubes & beakers!
-Research is a laborious process of asking questions, seeking answers, and continuing the cycle until there is a breakthrough!
-Basic research à clinical trials à improved cancer screening & treatments
Thankful for devoted researchers!
Research deserves our support! It makes a difference for real people!
A big thanks to all of the 𝘼𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣’𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 supporters who were able to join the tour today! Quote for the day from Molly, a TNBC survivor who participated in one of Dr. Sharma’s clinical trials… “You saved my life!” Help save lives! Donate www.Kuendowment.org/AlisonsAllies
RESEARCH=𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙊𝘿𝘼𝙔 & 𝙏𝙊𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙍𝙊𝙒!
VIDEO WITH VOICE OVER DESCRIPTION:
$15,000 GOAL SURPRASSED!
The 2025 Alison’s Allies fundraising was such an amazing success! The goal was QUADRUPLED! Because of this tremendous success, we were able to fund 3 other projects in addition to the originally identified project. After working with Dr. Roy Jensen, Vice-Chancelor Director of the KU Cancer Center, the funding was provided to the following recipients:
$30,000: 2025 Project. Goal was $15,000. For Dr. Priyanka Sharma’s Lab researching triple negative breast cancer. TOTAL OVER PAST SEVERAL YEARS=$57,500
$10,000 for Dr. Katy Swancutt in Dr. Danny Welch’s Lab – Research on metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Donation in honor of Camy Stamps Crank & Cindy Martin. TOTAL OVER PAST SEVERAL YEARS= $38,000
$10,500 for Dr. Joan Lewis-Wambi’s Lab - Research on Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and Black women - TOTAL OVER PAST SEVERAL YEARS=$33,000
$6,600 for KC Breast Cancer Health Equity Task Force facilitated by the Masonic Cancer Alliance; Funds will support BC screening events, including screening materials, event supplies, & mammograms for underserved KC women. This represents a $5600 grant from 100 Women Who Care Cedar Creek and a $1,000 donation for earning the Gamechanger Award from the KC Current & BlueKC! TOTAL OVER PAST SEVERAL YEARS=$28,600
TOTAL given in 2025=$57,100. Remainder seed $ for next yr. & to support needs that arise!
YouTube: Alison's Allies 2025 Fundraising - Presentation to Recipients
Instagram: Alison's Allies 2025 Fundraising: Presentation to Recipients