Warner Robins, Ga. – This year, the Joanna McAfee Childhood Cancer Foundation has once again provided research dollars to help fund their ongoing mission to find a cure for childhood cancer. For 2010, the Foundation will provide $40,000 in research grants to three childhood cancer research institutions.

“Pediatric cancer patients deserve more than treatment options – they deserve a cure and a hope for tomorrow,” said Foundation President Jeff McAfee.

After the loss of his daughter, Joanna McAfee to Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, it was decided the Foundation’s first grants would fund either sarcoma or Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma research. Each year, potential grant recipients are re-evaluated annually.

“One of the reasons we have concentrated in sarcoma research is that the overall survival rate for high-risk metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma has not increased in the past 35 years,” said McAfee.

The following institutions were awarded research grants for 2010: Dr. Fredrick G. Barr of the University of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine, $20,000. Dr. Timothy P. Cripe of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, $5,000; and Dr. Charles Keller of Doernbecher Children’s Hospital on behalf of Oregon Health & Science University, $15,000.

The JMCCF is a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness, provide support, and fund research for childhood cancer. For more information please contact the Foundation at (478) 293-1670 or visit their web site at www.SupportCancerKids.org .