IFF 2024 Spring Updates

Ian's Friends Foundation (IFF) has had an exciting few months that we are excited to share with you. Please be on the lookout for upcoming events. We continue to be overwhelmed by the incredible support from our community near and far. Thank you for believing in our mission to eradicate pediatric brain tumors and together we will find a cure.

LAB UPDATES

• We are honored to share that IFF funded Dr. Elias Sayour at the University of Florida has successfully developed an mRNA vaccine that produced a strong response to malignant brain tumors. Dr. Sayour’s first-ever clinical trial in four adult patients reprogrammed their immune system to attack glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and lethal brain tumors. This breakthrough will next be tested in a Phase 1 pediatric clinical trial for brain cancer.This discovery represents a new way to have to have the immune system fight treatment resistant cancers using an iteration of mRNA technology and lipid nanoparticles by using the patients own tumor cells to create personalized treatments and a newly engineered delivery mechanism.We are so proud of Dr. Sayour, his colleagues and all of those at the University of Florida who worked tirelessly on this project.

• The Tumor Monorail Project announced at the 2023 Evening of Inspiration by Dr. Nassir Mokarram is progressing in a very positive direction. We have seen exciting advances and we are extremely hopeful by Dr. Mokarram's progress. This "game changing" device will radically change the way brain tumors are treated. We look forward to providing you with more updates in the near future.

2024 EVENINGS OF INSPIRATION

We are once again excited to announce the 17th Annual Evening of Inspiration Galas in Los Angeles and Atlanta. We are nothing without the support of our community so if you would like to sponsor these incredible evenings, please visit LA EOI or ATL EOI before August 8th to be included on the invitation.

LA SAVE THE DATE

November 2, 2024

ATL SAVE THE DATE

November 23, 2024

IFF had an exciting Spring with multiple events across the country including Alice + Olivia Nationwide Shop for a Cause, 3rd Annual IFF Pickleball Tournament, IFF Jr. LA Bake Sale & Blood Drive, Metafest Music Festival and Buckhead Baseball Bake Sale & Homerun Donations, superhero AJ De La Torre Go Gray In May raffle, and Veronica Beard shopping event. Thank you to our community for showing us such love. Together these events raised over $55K... AMAZING!

Until There's A Cure