The AACR-St. Baldrick's Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pediatric Cancer Research has been established to bring attention to major research discoveries to the pediatric cancer research community and to honor an individual in any sector who has significantly contributed to any area of pediatric cancer research, resulting in the fundamental improvement of the understanding and/or treatment of pediatric cancer. The recipient will nominate an emerging leader conducting research in the academic sector to receive a research grant.

The 2020 SBF-AACR Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pediatric Cancer Research went to Dr. James Downing at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dr. Jarno Drost at Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology received the 2020 research grant. Dr. Drost's research interests are in Kidney and Rhabdoid Tumors.

Imaging presents a powerful tool by visualizing individual cells and cellular processes in great detail. However, it remains very challenging to obtain this detailed cellular information for entire tumors and surrounding tissue, which will be key for improving our understanding of cancer progression. To fulfil this need, Dr. Rios and colleagues have developed unique and innovative imaging strategies that can visualize individual cells and their specific behavior in an entire tissue or tumor specimen. She is applying this advanced three-dimensional (3D) imaging to study the underlying mechanisms of childhood cancer. For instance, they have been able to identify new tumor cell subsets that are now being analyzed for their role in tumor progression. In addition, she is studying the specific behavior and underlying mechanisms that allow tumor cells to invade their surrounding tissue, a key contributing factor to tumor aggressiveness. By applying these imaging technologies to address these and other unanswered questions in pediatric oncology, Dr. Rios hopes to identify novel targets for treating childhood cancer. The St. Baldrick’s Robert J. Arceci Innovation Award is given in honor of the late Dr. Robert Arceci. A pioneer in the field, this award reflects Dr. Arceci’s values including creativity, collaboration, and commitment to early- to mid-career scientists.

Through this partnership with Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, proceeds from St. Baldrick's events in the Netherlands will support a research project initially funded through a partnership with VU Medical Center since 2012. St. Baldrick’s is proud to partner with Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology to continue to fund life-saving childhood cancer research in the Netherlands.

This institution is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).  From the first event in 2000 through 2004, St. Baldrick’s funds benefitted the COG.  Since the St. Baldrick’s Foundation began making grants in 2005, each of the 200 member institutions of the COG has received a portion of a multi-million dollar St. Baldrick’s grant every year.  These funds have been distributed based on the number of patients at each institution who are treated on COG clinical trials, their best hope for a cure.

This institution is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).  From the first event in 2000 through 2004, St. Baldrick’s funds benefitted the COG.  Since the St. Baldrick’s Foundation began making grants in 2005, each of the 200 member institutions of the COG has received a portion of a multi-million dollar St. Baldrick’s grant every year.  These funds have been distributed based on the number of patients at each institution who are treated on COG clinical trials, their best hope for a cure.

This institution is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).  From the first event in 2000 through 2004, St. Baldrick’s funds benefitted the COG.  Since the St. Baldrick’s Foundation began making grants in 2005, each of the 200 member institutions of the COG has received a portion of a multi-million dollar St. Baldrick’s grant every year.  These funds have been distributed based on the number of patients at each institution who are treated on COG clinical trials, their best hope for a cure.