PENGUINS AGAINST CANCER
Fergus Scholefield Paediatric Cancer Research
The 2024 Fergus Scholefield Cancer Research Grant: The Institute of Cancer Research
The £5,000 2024 Fergus Scholefield Cancer Research Grant has been awarded to Dr Stella Man of the Institute of Cancer Research, Investigation of markers associated with Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) to derive novel therapies for Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumours (DSRCT)
"We were delighted to receive the Fergus Scholefield Cancer Research Award of £5000 from Penguins Against Cancer in support of Dr Stella Man’s project: Investigation of markers associated with Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition to derive novel therapies for Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumours. Our sincerest thanks to you and your fellow Trustees for your continued support.
Purpose of study:
To investigate molecular drivers of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) as potential new therapeutic targets for Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumours (DSRCT).
Hypothesis:
Interactions between tumour cells and Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) promote EMT that contribute to the cellular heterogeneity observed in DSRCT and can define new targeted therapeutic approaches.
Objectives:
- Identify markers that relate to the biological process of EMT from our previously generated spatial transcriptomics data of DSRCT (funded by a previous award from the Fergus Fund).
- Test and validate these markers at the protein level by performing multiplexed analyses of patient tissues and models of DSRCT. Presence of markers are expected to confirm support for EMT and a role of CAFs in DSCRT.
- Identify and test molecular targets or clinically available drugs that can disrupt the EMT process in our in-house DSRCT-CAF co-cultured model.
We wish Dr Stella Man 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 2025 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.
Review previous grants:
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.