The V Foundation for Cancer Research and StacheStrong Announce $1 Million, Five-Year Grant Award to Advance Glioblastoma Research

This long-term investment represents a significant step forward in advancing progress in glioblastoma treatments, where survival rates have remained largely unchanged for more than two decades. Most patients diagnosed with glioblastoma survive just 12 to 18 months, emphasizing the urgent need for new scientific breakthroughs.

Glioblastoma has proven to be difficult to treat due to its biological complexity. Tumors vary widely between patients – and even within different regions of the same tumor – making it extremely challenging to develop therapies that can effectively and durably target the disease. Despite advances in cancer research broadly, progress in GBM has been incremental, and new approaches are urgently needed.

“Our family saw firsthand how relentless this disease is and how few treatment options exist,” said Colin Gerner, CEO and Co-Founder of StacheStrong. “For too long, patients have faced the same prognosis without meaningful progress. StacheStrong was founded on the belief that they deserve better. This $1 million, five-year commitment is a long-term investment in bold science that challenges the status quo. Through our partnership with the V Foundation and the exceptional team at Massachusetts General, we are accelerating research designed to uncover new vulnerabilities in glioblastoma and move closer to more effective, life-extending treatments.”

The newly funded research will support the laboratories of Mario Suvà, M.D., Ph.D., and Liron Bar-Peled, Ph.D., both at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Suvà’s team has spent the past decade pioneering advanced genetic and molecular approaches to study how glioblastoma evolves at the cellular level. Dr Bar-Peled has developed novel chemical approaches that dramatically expand the druggable space in cells. By tracking how glioblastoma cells shift and adapt and pairing that insight with new tools that expand what researchers can target inside cancer cells, the team hopes to uncover hidden weaknesses that could lead to more precise and lasting treatments.

StacheStrong was founded in 2018 in New York City after GJ Gerner was diagnosed at age 28 with glioblastoma. What began as a personal effort to honor his strength has grown into a national nonprofit dedicated to funding faster, smarter brain cancer research.

StacheStrong has raised millions of dollars to support innovative scientific work aimed at improving outcomes for patients with brain cancer. Through this partnership, StacheStrong’s $1 million pledge will be deployed over five years through the V Foundation’s rigorous, peer-reviewed grant process, ensuring that funds are directed toward research with the highest scientific merit and potential patient impact.

“Progress against glioblastoma will require new ideas and sustained commitment,” said Susanna Greer, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of the V Foundation. “StacheStrong’s investment is powering innovative research that is pushing beyond incremental advances to better understand and target this aggressive disease. Partnerships like this ensure that the most promising science can move forward with urgency for the patients and families who need it most.”

Together, the V Foundation and StacheStrong aim to advance understanding and treatment of glioblastoma, supporting research that delivers measurable impact for patients and their families.

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About the V Foundation for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded over $458 million in game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to funding the best scientists to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives. To learn more, visit v.org.

About StacheStrong

StacheStrong is a 501(c)3 nonprofit devoted to raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research. Defeating brain cancer and improving the quality of patients’ lives is our daily focus. Founded in 2018 following GJ Gerner’s diagnosis at age 28, StacheStrong has grown into a national organization committed to accelerating better outcomes for patients. To date, StacheStrong has funded more than $7 million in research grants supporting over 65 studies at more than 40 leading institutions across the country. Through bold investments in science and a patient-centered mission, StacheStrong is working to drive breakthroughs, improve outcomes, and create better quality of life for those facing brain cancer. To learn more, visit StacheStrong.org.

Media Contact:

Alexandra Paterson
the V Foundation for Cancer Research
[email protected]