The McKenna Claire Foundation has donated $25,000 to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) to co-fund research for better cures and treatments for DIPG which currently has a 0% survival rate. The McKenna Claire Foundation is committed to fighting for childhood cancer research and better, less toxic treatments for children with cancer.

The McKenna Claire Foundation was founded by Kristine and Dave Wetzel after their daughter, McKenna Claire Wetzel, passed away from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). After doctors discovered a mass on McKenna’s brainstem and diagnosed her with DIPG, her parents interacted with doctors and researchers who were committed to the fight against pediatric cancer. Kristine and Dave decided to start The McKenna Claire Foundation to cure pediatric brain cancer by raising awareness, increasing community involvement and funding research.

Funding will be designated to the following grant:
2019 Innovation Grant
Therapeutic Targeting of the Disrupted Metabolic State in DIPG
(PI) Costas Lyssiotis, PhD

“At McKenna Claire Foundation, we believe that collaboration is the key to finding effective therapeutic options for deadly pediatric brain cancers like DIPG,” said Kristine Wetzel. “This is why we are honored to join forces with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to fund groundbreaking research in order to give children and families hope for a brighter future.”

Jay Scott, Alex’s dad and co-executive director of ALSF, is thrilled to partner with McKenna Claire Foundation. “The McKenna Claire Foundation is helping fund critical research and ultimately a cure for DIPG. We look forward to working together to spread awareness and continuing to fund crucial research projects.”

To learn more about The McKenna Claire Foundation, visit http://mckennaclairefoundation.org/about/mackys-story/. For more information about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s charity partnerships, visit AlexsLemonade.org/grants/charity-partners.