What do we fund?
We fund research through The Bardo Foundation to rapidly bring novel and effective therapies from the laboratory to the clinic. Our aim is to help improve the outcomes for those who live with osteosarcoma. We do this by driving research, providing support and improving outcomes for patients and their families affected by rare conditions.
Funded projects
We have funded several osteosarcoma focused research grants in partnership with The Bardo Foundation, who steward Osteosarcoma Now, and the Myrovlytis Trust. This partnership grew from a close friendship and a shared determination to fund a cure for osteosarcoma following the loss of a loved one. More information about the research projects can be found here.
Current Research Projects
Osteosarcoma TeamLab, Collaborative Network, USA
The Osteosarcoma TeamLab unifies clinicians, experimental biologists, data scientists, veterinary researchers, and software engineers behind two integrated research efforts, each implemented and resourced at the right scale and with the right collaborative framework to urgently create foundational solutions for the entire osteosarcoma community.
Project cost: $500,000
Professor Kjetil Boye, Oslo University, Norway
This project introduces novel therapies in the first-line treatment of osteosarcoma. The long-term goal is to identify and validate biomarkers that can help select patients with newly diagnosed osteosarcoma for the most effective, targeted, and personalised treatment strategies.
Project cost: $21,000
Completed Research Projects
Professor Nancy DeMore,
Medical University of South Carolina, USA
This project investigated a new monoclonal antibody that targets a protein called SFRP2, which helps osteosarcoma cells grow and spread. By combining this antibody with other treatments, the study aimed to block tumour growth more effectively and lay the groundwork for future therapies and clinical trials.
Prof. Wolfgang Pastor, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Austria
This project used a powerful technique called mass spectrometry to study tiny changes in proteins when healthy cells turn into cancer. By analysing samples from osteosarcoma patients, the team discovered protein changes that immune cells can recognise, offering hope for new ways to help the immune system fight this cancer.
Why is funding OS research so important?
The average age of diagnosis for OS is 15 years old. No one should have to go through what an osteosarcoma patient goes through. It is equally hard to watch those that support the patients feel helpless and frustrated over the lack of treatment options for osteosarcoma.
There have been no major breakthroughs in osteosarcoma treatment over the past 30 years. We believe that every person with a rare disease deserves to have the same diagnosis and treatment plan as those who live with more ‘common’ diseases. osteosarcoma has an unmet need for research focused on developing treatment options for patients of all ages.
How do we fund these projects?
We rely on the kindness of donations from our individuals, other charities such as the Bardo Foundation, and corporate organisations. As a charity we do not receive any government funding.
We have a fierce passion and a deep determination to find a cure for osteosarcoma to save lives. This is a rare cancer and it is crucial that we work towards a cure. If you share the same passion as us, we urge you to join our journey in helping those with osteosarcoma.
By making a donation of any kind, you will play a meaningful part in our mission. Your donation will be used to fund research. With more research, we move closer to better treatments and potential cures.
Click here to donate.