Baptist Clinical Research Institute

The Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research announced this week that it will fund $180,000 in grants in 2022 for research teams focused on studying pancreatic cancer. Locally, the Baptist Clinical Research Institute will be the recipient of funds from the grants, as will two Texas-based institutions.

The Memphis-based pancreatic cancer nonprofit is partnering with Baptist Clinical Research Institute in Memphis, University of Texas Southwestern’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dallas, Texas, and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine in Edinburg, Texas.

“We’re incredibly proud to support these research teams as they break new ground and work towards our goal of curing pancreatic cancer,” said Alan Kosten, chairman of the Kosten Foundation. “The Kosten Foundation is grateful for the continued support of the community and our sponsors, which allows us to continue making a difference in the fight against this deadly disease.”

The Kosten Foundation is a Memphis-based nonprofit dedicated to funding cancer research. It was formed in 2003 by the family of Herb Kosten after his death due to pancreatic cancer. To date, the organization has donated more than $2.5 million for pancreatic cancer research and hosts an active monthly support group meeting for patients, their families, and anyone interested in learning more about pancreatic cancer. The foundation hosts an annual Kick It 5K, which has grown to include more than 2,500 participants. Money raised from the 5K and other Kosten Foundation events helps fund pancreatic cancer research.

Runners and walkers participate in the Kosten Foundation’s 2021 Kick It 5K fundraiser. The event raised more than $147,000 for pancreatic cancer research and support. (Courtesy Kosten Foundation)

Members of the Kosten Foundation donate funds for research to Baptist Clinical Research Institute.

The Memphis-based nonprofit Kosten Foundation announced last week it will provide $175,000 in funding to three pancreatic cancer research programs. The funds will go to Baptist Clinical Research Institute in Memphis; University of Texas Southwestern’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dallas, Texas; and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine in McAllen, Texas.

According to the press release, a portion of the funding for the UT-Southwestern grant will come from the Morris Kriger Memorial Fund, which was established through the Kosten Foundation by the Kriger family after Morris Jacob Kriger lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in February 2020.

“These research teams are attacking pancreatic cancer in unique, cutting-edge ways that are truly making a difference,” said Kosten Foundation chairman Alan Kosten. “This year has been a challenge for everyone, but we are immensely grateful for the support the Kosten Foundation has received, and we are proud to partner with such outstanding organizations.”

Funds will go toward the following programs:

Baptist Clinical Research Institute
• Studying the “whipple” procedure and its removal of lesions in the pancreas.
A whipple procedure removes a portion of the pancreas, the gallbladder, and part of the
lower intestine in order to remove cancerous cells.

UT-Southwestern Medical Center
• Researchers will collect clinical data and tissue samples to study patients with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in order to increase diagnostic success of pancreatic cancer and develop personalized treatment plans for patients.

UT-Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
• Researchers are studying the effectiveness of a gene therapy designed to inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer and make it more vulnerable to chemotherapy.

Since the organization was founded in 2003, the Kosten Foundation has donated more than $2.3 million for pancreatic cancer research, support, and advocacy. Its largest fundraiser, the Kick It 5K, raised more than $115,000 during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November 2020.

In addition to funding research, the foundation hosts a monthly support group for those affected by pancreatic cancer. The group meets virtually via Zoom on the second Saturday of every month and is open to all. To learn more about the Kosten Foundation’s mission, visit kostenfoundation.com.