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Category: Blog

Kosten Foundation Announces $185,000 in Funding for Research Associated with Pancreatic Cancer

Kosten Foundation continued mission of pancreatic cancer support, awareness, and research by funding three research programs at the following institutions for 2020 – Baptist Clinical Research Institute, UT-Southwestern Medical Center and UT-Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

Memphis, Tenn., January 24, 2020 – The Kosten Foundation, a Memphis-based nonprofit created to provide support for pancreatic cancer patients and their families, awareness for pancreatic cancer issues, and to fund research associated with pancreatic cancer announced today they are providing $185,000 to be used for research associated with pancreatic cancer. The Kosten Foundation has donated more than $2,000,000 for pancreatic cancer research since its inception in 2003. 

“We have visited each of these institutions and seen first-hand the incredible work they are doing. We have been so impressed with each of these partners that we are proud and humbled to be able to provide a total amount of funding of $185,000 to help further their research efforts to help increase the survivor rates of this deadly disease,” said Alan Kosten, Chairman of the Herb Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Support.

Summaries of the funded programs are below:

  • 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

In addition to its research efforts, the Kosten Foundation holds support group meetings at the Cordova Public Library the second Saturday of every month for those affected by pancreatic cancer. The pancreatic cancer support group is open to anyone who would like to attend.

The Kosten Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser is the Kick-It 5K slated for Sunday, April 5 2020 at Shelby Farms Park. The all-ages event includes a 5K run, 1-mile fun walk, opportunities for spirit runners, an inspirational survivor ceremony, entertainment, and food vendors.

Kosten Foundation Receives $6,500 From 4th Annual Will James Extravaganza Hosted by All About Bikes

Son’s Fundraiser Pays Tribute to Father Who Died from Pancreatic Cancer

Memphis, Tenn., October 16, 2019 – The Fourth Annual Will James Extravaganza fundraiser, benefiting the Memphis-based Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Support and hosted by All About Bikes, raised more than $6,500 for the fight against pancreatic cancer. Last year’s event raised more than $5,000.

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Kosten Foundation Receives $6,000 From More Than 300 BMW Test Drives Taken in August

Roadshow BMW donates maximum amount to benefit the Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Memphis, Tenn., September 9, 2019 – More than 300 drivers took a test drive at Roadshow BMW between August 1 and 31, 2019, to help raise $6,000 in support of the Memphis-based Kosten Foundation’s fight to end pancreatic cancer. For every test drive taken at Roadshow BMW’s dealership located at 405 N. Germantown Parkway, the dealership donated $25 to the Kosten Foundation as part of its Roadshow Gives Back promotion.  Roadshow BMW doubled the donation up to a maximum of $6,000 if 100 test drives were made.

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4th Annual Will James Extravaganza Hosted by All About Bikes to Benefit Memphis-Based Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Support

Son’s Fundraiser Pays Tribute to Father Who Died from Pancreatic Cancer

Memphis, Tenn., September 4, 2019 – The Fourth Annual Will James Extravaganza fundraiser, benefiting the Memphis-based Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Support, will take place on September 29, 2019, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at All About Bikes on 621 S. Mendenhall Road in Memphis, Tennessee. Last year’s event raised more than $5,000 for the fight against pancreatic cancer.

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Test Drive a BMW in August and Support the Kosten Foundation

Roadshow BMW will donate $25 for every test drive taken between August 1 and 31 to the Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Memphis, Tenn., July 30, 2019 – Drivers who take a test drive at Roadshow BMW between August 1 and 31, 2019, will be helping to support the Memphis-based Kosten Foundation’s fight to end pancreatic cancer. For every test drive taken at Roadshow BMW’s dealership located at 405 N Germantown Parkway, the dealership will donate $25 to the Kosten Foundation as part of its Roadshow Gives Back promotion.  If 100 test drives are made, Roadshow BMW will double the donation up to a maximum of $6,000.

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Kosten Foundation’s Kick It 5k Breaks Records Despite Weather Cancellation

Memphis, Tenn., May 6, 2019 – While severe weather may have forced the cancellation of the Kosten Foundation’s Ninth Annual Kick It 5k on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Shelby Farms Park, the more than 1,300 registered runners, walkers, volunteers, pancreatic cancer survivors, and supporters raised more than $135,000 to support the fight to end pancreatic cancer, the third deadliest cancer. Participants also set new records for individual team fundraising and near-record levels for the number and size of teams. Groups took to social media to share their unique stories and show support for the Kosten Foundation and the fight against pancreatic cancer despite the stormy weather.

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Fight Pancreatic Cancer at the 9th Annual Kick It 5K Benefiting the Kosten Foundation at Shelby Farms Park on April 7, 2019

Memphis, Tenn., March 20, 2019 – The 9th Annual Kick It 5K will take place Sunday, April 7 at Shelby Farms Park at 1 p.m. The all-ages event includes a 5K run, 1-mile fun walk, opportunities for spirit runners, an inspirational survivor ceremony, entertainment, and food vendors. Registration is open at https://kickit5k.racesonline.com/.

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Fight Pancreatic Cancer at the 9th Annual Kick It 5K Benefiting the Kosten Foundation at Shelby Farms Park on April 7, 2019

Register for the Kick It 5K Before March 20 to be Entered into a Drawing to Win a Fitbit

Memphis, Tenn., February 5, 2019 – The 9th Annual Kick It 5K will take place Sunday, April 7 at Shelby Farms Park at 1 p.m. The all-ages event includes a 5K run, 1-mile fun walk, opportunities for spirit runners, an inspirational survivor ceremony, entertainment, and food vendors. Registration is open at https://kickit5k.racesonline.com/. Individuals who register on or before March 20 will be entered into a drawing to win a Fitbit!

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