Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and five-time Brickyard 400 winner Jeff Gordon continued his support of Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health by announcing his 24th gift towards pediatric cancer research. Riley Children’s Foundation also paid tribute to Gordon’s 14 years of support with touching tributes involving those who benefit the most from Gordon’s efforts: current and past Riley kids who are cancer survivors.
As founder of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and supporter of Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, Gordon has now contributed $3.8 million to Indiana’s only comprehensive and nationally ranked children’s research hospital. Thursday’s $300,000 gift establishes the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Pediatric Oncology Physician Scientist Training Program. The grant will support training the next generation of oncology-focused pediatric physician scientists.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) workforce report, the number of physician scientists in the United Sates who are under age 50 has decreased by 50 percent from 2006 to 2012. All available evidence indicates this decline in critical workforce is continuing.
Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Pediatric Oncology Physician Scientist Training Program allows the Indiana University Department of Pediatrics and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health to construct a multifaceted program aimed at encouraging and incentivizing fellows to become involved in research, including protecting their time from clinical duties in order to pursue important pediatric research. These advances will bring pediatric translational research to the forefront of pediatric oncology, and ensure children with cancer in Indiana and beyond continue to receive the latest medical treatments.
Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation proceeds have previously established The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health and the Wells Center for Pediatric Cancer Research at Indiana School of Medicine. Funding provides vital resources for researchers seeking to improve treatments and discover cures.
“I am very proud of our long-standing partnership with Riley Hospital for Children,” said Jeff Gordon. “Expanding our support in the field of pediatric cancer research at Riley to encompass training the next generation of pediatric oncology physician scientists is really exciting. We know that in order to cure all pediatric cancers more research is needed, and the support of talented researchers to carry out that research.”
Every year approximately 360 children are diagnosed with cancer in Indiana. As a national leader in providing clinical care and conducting research for children with cancer, Riley Hospital treats 80 percent of those cases. Dozens of research programs are being conducted by Riley experts to help cancer patients. Donors who support the Riley Cancer Center and its research programs are helping doctors saves the lives of children in Indiana and across the globe.
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