For Researchers:
THE GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD IS CLOSED
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation funds research in the areas of prevention, early detection, screening, and treatment of esophageal cancer.
Grants will only be made to nonprofit organizations in the United States of America with certification as tax exempt under Sections 501(c)(3). Organizations that have completed and filed Form 1023 but not yet received an IRS determination letter are not eligible to apply. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation will not consider any of the following for funding:
- Capital campaigns/ projects;
- Student research projects;
- General/indirect/salary/administrative costs;
- Political lobbying or legislative activities;
- Annual funds, galas or other special-event fundraising activities;
- Institutions that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender or sexual orientation;
- Loans, scholarships, fellowships or grants to individuals.
Esophageal Cancer Research Funding Awarded:
2023:
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation issued funding for esophageal cancer research in June 2023; the third time in less than 11 years since the charity was founded.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation issued not one, not two but THREE grants for esophageal cancer research.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded research funding to Dr. Matthew Stachler and The Regents of the University of California in the amount of $44,742.00 for the project titled: “Determination of inflammatory influences on progression of Barrett’s esophagus and invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma.”
Dr. Stachler’s research seeks to “understand what drives the progression of preneoplastic disease into invasive cancer by applying the many systems developed for studying advanced cancer to premalignant conditions in early evasive disease with Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma being a major focus.”
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation also awarded research funding to Dr. Nathan Parker and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Inc., in the amount of $30,000.00 for the project titled: “Exercise prehabilitation for locoregional esophageal cancer.”
Dr. Parker’s research will “evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of PA and RT exercise prehabilitation components among patients preparing for LEC resection; to examine changes in exploratory outcomes over the course of exercise prehabilitation and recovery following therapy and to compare clinical and treatment outcomes to those of a retrospectively identified comparison group that received no formal exercise prehabilitation programming.”
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation also awarded research funding to Dr. Sazzad Hassan and Indiana University in the amount of $50,000.00 for the project titled: “Overcoming resistance to HER2-targeted therapies in esophageal adenocarcinoma.”
Dr. Hassan’s research will “investigate whether acquired lapatinib resistance in esophageal adenocarcinoma is due to down regulation of heat shock protein 40. These studies might pave the way toward the use of HSP40-glycolytic enzymes interaction targeting as an innovative therapeutic approach to overcome lapatinib resistance.”
2018:
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation funded esophageal cancer research for the second time in less than seven years since inception. In November, 2018, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded principal investigator, Dr. Donald Low and Virginia Mason Medical Center, grant funding. Dr. George Hanna of St Mary’s Hospital (Imperial College London) is co-investigator. As of 2022, this research is currently underway.
The research intends to establish a non-invasive test for the detection of esophageal cancer that is based upon the unique signature of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within exhaled breath and to analyze exhaled VOCs in response to therapeutic intervention in patients.
With over a 733% increase in the past four decades, esophageal cancer is among the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States and the western world. There are no current standard or routine screenings to detect esophageal cancer in its earlier stages. Current guidelines recommend referral for endoscopy “only in the setting of ‘red flag’ symptoms that are frequently associated with inoperable disease,” Dr. Low stated.
These ‘red flag’ symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, chronic cough and GERD, typically appear once the cancer has become advanced. This, in addition with other factors, leads to the current overall five-year survival rate of only 19.2%. Despite its rapid increase and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer receives very little awareness and research funding.
Read more:
2015:
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded its first grant for esophageal cancer research in July 2015. The charity awarded program director, Dr. Carlos Minacapelli and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnston Medical School grant funding.
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute Council accepted Dr. Minacapelli’s abstract to be presented as a poster presentation during Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2017 held in Chicago, IL. The abstract is entitled “Effect of Benzo[a]pyrene along with Acid and Bile is highly carcinogenic as shown in the in-vitro Barrett’s Esophagus Carcinogenesis (BEC) model.”
Esophageal Cancer Research is Critically Underfunded:
Esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma) is considered one of the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. Esophageal cancer (EAC) has increased over 733% in the past four decades.
Despite its rapid increase and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer research receives inadequate private and/or government funding.
The National Cancer Institute spends, on average, only half of one percent for esophageal cancer research from it’s total budget. In 2017, NCI allocated $31,843,910 for esophageal cancer research funding out of it’s total $5,636.4 billion budget. In 2018, the NCI received an increase for their total budget by 5%, or $284 million from the previous fiscal year. However, in 2018, NCI again decreased its investment in research of esophageal cancer to $29,804,836. See below for the most current figures for esophageal cancer research funding from NCI.
Latest Figures From NCI:
-2021 NCI funded Esophageal Cancer Research: $29.7 million
-2021 NCI Total Budget for Cancer Research: $6.4 billion budget.
(Source: National Cancer Institute)
The American Cancer Society also decreased for esophageal cancer research projects.
February 2024: 5 for esophageal cancer research out of their total 725 cancer research grants.
August 2021: 8 for esophageal cancer research out of their total of 739 cancer research grants.
October 2020: 9 for esophageal cancer research out of their total 737 cancer research grants.
While rates have dropped for other cancer types, esophageal cancer rates are skyrocketing!
Donate to Esophageal Cancer Research Today:
There is a dire need for funding for esophageal cancer research. We believe that funding should be provided for innovative research projects which are aimed at improving current and discovering new diagnosis testing and treatment options
Combined with our other efforts in raising awareness and advocating for standard and routine early detection screenings, incidence and mortality rates will decrease.
Support esophageal cancer research by making a one-time or recurring, tax-deductible donation.
Sources:
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation 