On December 29, 2023, Carol and Fran Ruchalski, founders of the Mary Ruchalski Foundation met with CSHL Professor Chris Vakoc and presented a check for $150,000 to support the Vakoc lab’s rhabdomyosarcoma research. Sarcomas originate in bone or soft tissues such as muscle, and primarily affect children. Regrettably, majority of the sarcoma tumors do not respond to currently available therapies, emphasizing the pivotal role of philanthropic funding in supporting high-risk, high-reward research projects. The Vakoc laboratory has discovered a strategy to transform RMS cells into muscle cells, effectively halting their unrestrained growth. Importantly, their findings have implications for other soft tissue sarcomas that share certain characteristics with RMS. The Ruchalski’s are tireless crusaders in the fight again pediatric cancers and are dedicated to the Mary Ruchalski Foundation’s mission of raising awareness of pediatric cancer, providing funding for pediatric cancer research and helping patients and their families.
