How we fund research
The Grim Reality of DIPG
There's currently no cure for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma DIPG, and existing treatments offer minimal effectiveness.
Brain tumours affect over 400 children annually in the UK, with a child dying from brain cancer every three days. DIPG is 100% lethal and the leading cause of brain cancer deaths in children, representing 15% of all diagnoses.
Why Research is Crucial
Targeted research funding allows doctors to understand how Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) develops and progresses. This knowledge is crucial for developing new and effective treatments for all affected children. Since 2011, scientists have made significant strides in understanding the biology of DIPG, informing the design of innovative new clinical trials.
Recent discoveries and cutting-edge technologies open exciting possibilities for tackling DIPG in entirely new ways. The potential for rapid advancements in DIPG research is enormous, but substantial investment is required to sustain these vital efforts. Unfortunately, government and national charity funding for specific DIPG research remains insufficient compared to other cancers.
Medical research is a marathon, not a sprint. Sustainable and continuous support is essential to give researchers the confidence and resources to persist in their vital work for years to come. With your help, we can accelerate the development of life-saving treatments for children battling this devastating disease.
That’s why virtually every penny that Abbie’s Army raises, is invested into medical research.
Our criteria for funding research
Under the guidance of our Scientific Advisory Panel, we strategically invest in high-quality and innovative medical research.
We have established strict criteria for funding research projects. These projects must be:
Targeted:
They should explore promising areas of biological discovery with minimal overlap, maximizing the impact of every penny donated.
Innovative:
They must build upon existing knowledge, address critical research questions, and potentially contribute to combination treatment approaches.
Collaborative:
Research for rare cancers like DIPG requires international cooperation. Principal investigators must demonstrate the ability to forge vital partnerships that prioritise patient needs.
Medically Progressive:
Research should be translational, with a clear path towards informing future treatment options and clinical trials.
Accountable:
Projects must have defined end-date targets and provide interim progress reports, allowing our Trustees to understand the impact of our funding on research progress.
Data Sharing:
Grant recipients should strive to make research data derived from the grant openly accessible, with minimal restrictions, to benefit the entire DIPG research community.
Rigorous Review Process:
All research investment decisions by Abbie’s Army are made in consultation with independent scientific and medical advisory experts. Awarded grants are subject to our terms and conditions, which ensure proper management, evaluation, and adherence to research goals.
We follow strict peer-review principles, guaranteeing complete impartiality from reviewers who are independent of our Trustees. Through this rigorous approach, Abbie's Army maximizes the impact of your donations on groundbreaking DIPG research.
Key research funded by us
