Joey's Wings Foundation

Proud moment! Joey's Wings is thrilled to announce Translocation RCC Trailblazer Award – $75,000 in partnership with Kidney Cancer Association was granted to Dr. Kaushal Asrani of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine! This research project: Therapeutic Targeting of EGFR and HER2 in Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma, will examine how effectively cancer-inhibiting therapy can be targeted to tRCC cells using a new mouse model. We feel humbled and honored to work with KCA, which maintains a robust scientific advisory panel and grant review committee.

A very productive meeting today!

The 8th annual Joey’s Wings 5k at Dallas to benefit research on TFE3 translocation RCC. We’re so proud of Plano Pacers Running Club and DASH for another successful run! A big turnout today and we collected tons of running shoes for those in need.

March is kidney cancer awareness month. Last year we provided financial grants for 23 families who has a child with kidney cancer. Among these 23 children, 19 were diagnosed with Wilms tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, the most common form of kidney cancer that affects children. The overall five-year survival rate for children with Wilms tumor is approximately 85% -90%. However, there are 11 types of childhood kidney tumors. Four other children we supported last year were diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma of kidney, renal cell carcinoma and renal sarcoma, respectively. Because these cancers are the rarest of the rare, research and funding is ZERO. Pediatric renal cell carcinomas differ from their adult counterparts not only in histologic subtypes but also in clinical characteristics and outcome. Children and adolescents are more likely to be diagnosed with a large renal cell tumor or cancer that has spread. Renal cell cancers may spread to the lungs, liver, bone, or lymph nodes. Children and adolescents with renal cell carcinoma don’t have the same access to the drugs available for adults RCC patients. March is kidney cancer awareness month. The incidence of renal tumors is increasing among children and adolescents in the US. We, at Joey's Wings Foundation, are striving to improve understanding and treatment of childhood kidney tumors.

Joey's Wings is on the Capitol Hill today meeting with members of Congress to ask for increased funding for #kidneycancer research. Louis Boyang, a Brown University freshman and advocate from Joey’s Wings, shared Joey’s story and the impact of Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP), which is part of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - CDMRP. Louis is a talented artist from Michigan who organized various fundraising events since he was 9 to support children with cancer. Leah, was diagnosed with translocation RCC, the exact same cancer as Joey, shared with the legislators her journey fighting a rare kidney cancer. Thank you, KidneyCAN for putting together the advocacy efforts every year! Thank you to our partner organizations for joining Joey’s Wings in this endeavor! Thank you our advocates!

In February, employees from Ally Financial at the Little Rock, Arkansas site celebrated the Lunar New Year with a special Origami for a Cause event. They raised $975 for Joey’s Wings to benefit children with cancer. What a meaningful way to celebrate the new year, the culture and spread the awareness and love! Thank you, Ally!

We are SO incredibly grateful for all the amazing people who have donated and volunteered to help us fight childhood cancer. YOUR support is making it possible for our researchers to develop less toxic therapies to treat kidney cancer among children and young adults. Here's a recap of what your generous donations are helping us to achieve in 2023: - Donated $50,000 for research on translocation renal cell carcinoma at the UT Southwestern Medical Center Kidney Cancer Program. - $75,000 Translocation RCC Focus Award in partnership with Kidney Cancer Association to fund promising young investigators to foster innovative Translocation RCC research. - Provided financial assistance for 22 families with a child diagnosed with kidney cancers - 21 new pediatric cancer families are getting free zoom tutoring in 2023. Totally 65 families are currently getting the tutoring service. - Co-hosted the inaugural international symposium of translocation renal cell carcinoma with National Cancer Institute and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. - Delivered 100 gift bags to the pediatric oncology at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. There are grocery gift cards, note card, a running medal and origami cranes in each bag. - 400 participants at 2023 Joey's Wings 5k in Gainesville, FL. and 350 runners at 2023 Joey's Run in Dallas, TX. - Hosted origami cranes folding events at Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, William Blair, Charles River Labs and San Diego County Fair, etc. - Camellia fundraisers in Feb. & Nov. THANK YOU all!! ?? Let's make 2024 a better year for children with cancer!