PENGUINS AGAINST CANCER
THE FERGUS FUND
The 2023 Fergus Scholefield Cancer Research Grant: The Institute of Cancer Research
Latest: Read the June 2023 update from the ICR on Dr Man's research work here.
The £5,000 2023 Fergus Scholefield Cancer Research Grant has been awarded to Dr Joanna Selfe of the Institute of Cancer Research, to help fund her research project into paediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma.
"We were delighted to receive the Fergus Scholefield Cancer Research Grant of £5000 from Penguins Against Cancer in support of Dr Joanna Selfe’s project: Identifying therapeutic strategies to combat the aggressive MYOD1L122R mutation in paediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma. Our sincerest thanks to you and your fellow Trustees for your continued support."
Professor Janet Shipley and Dr Joanna Selfe from The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) are working to build on their understanding of MYOD1 mutations and how they could be targeted in the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS).
Dr Joanna Selfe commented: “I have been working to expand our knowledge of rhabdomyosarcomas and how they can be treated for a number of years. I am dedicated to improving the outlook for young patients and having a molecular marker indicating poor prognosis in fusion negative rhabdomyosarcoma has opened the door to finding novel treatments to make this possible.
We wish Dr Selfe every success with her research and are delighted to be supporting her.
The Fergus Scholefield Cancer Research Fund
In 2016 Penguins Against Cancer was very proud to launch the Fergus Scholefield Cancer Research Fund, in memory of a brave young man who, at the tender age of 2, battled through the treatment of his brain tumour with the support of family and friends. Sadly, it was not possible to cure him of the disease and Fergus died before his third birthday.
We know that Fergus's journey and strength has inspired many more to improve the lives of others and continue the search for better understanding and treatments for cancer.
This Bursary supports researchers in cancer to keep pushing the boundaries so that Fergus’s short life continues to motivate people for many years to come.
The Bursary is awarded annually, through a strict and rigorous vetting process. It has been set by the Penguins Trustees at a maximum amount of £5,000. This amount will be reviewed annually by the Trustees.
If you are interested in applying for our 2024 Bursary award and wish to be considered by us, please click on the buttons below to learn more about the Terms of Reference for the award, and to download an Application Form. Please email completed Application Forms to us at penguinsagainstcancer@outlook.com. Thank you.
Read here about previous
Fergus Fund Research Grants:
2022 Award click here
2021 Award click here
2018 Award click here
2016 Award click here
Fergus with his older brother.
Fergus with his proud Dad, Barney
Message from Barney Scholefield, the father of Fergus, and part of the Penguins family.
We are honoured that our dear Fergus shall bear his name and memory to a bursary in support of cancer research. Fergus loved life and with the guidance of his older brother, Chester, and his dad was learning how brilliant rugby was and the lifelong friendships that can develop through the game.
At the tender age of 2, he battled through the treatment of his brain tumour with the support of his family and friends. We were sadly unable to cure him of the disease and he died before his third birthday. However, we know that his journey and strength has inspired many more to improve the lives of others in the future and continue the search for better understanding and treatments for cancer. We hope that this bursary will support the researchers to keep pushing the boundaries and that Fergus’ short life will continue to inspire people for many years to come.