Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma (PCS) was founded in 2011 following a joint collaboration by Dr. Kurt Weiss and Dr. Hussein Tawbi and 12 patients & caregivers to create the Pittsburgh chapter of the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA). The mission was simple: enhance awareness and raise research funds for sarcoma.
As the chapter grew, it became apparent that it had developed enough momentum to branch off on its own, and in 2019 filed for an independent 501c3 status with the IRS. Thus, Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma as an independent organization was born. The mission remains the same, but now we have total control over the dispersement of the funds we raise.
PCS is 100% volunteer led. Selfless, giving, and empathetic heroes that are doing their part in the fight against sarcoma.
Through a joint strategy of PCS hosted events, supporter hosted events, and charitable donations, PCS has raised over $2.5 million towards sarcoma research….and we are just getting started!
Did you know?
It's very difficult to find funding for rare cancers like sarcoma that don’t attract as much federal research dollars and private investment. Our efforts ensure novel ideas are funded - those that could lead to the next big breakthrough for sarcoma treatment!
We need your support
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma has proudly granted over $2,000,000 to support sarcoma research since our inception in 2011, and we are the first 100% volunteer-led organization to do so. The funds we grant store precious sarcoma tissue resources and enable researchers to perform life-saving studies.
See below for a list of the projects that are funded due to the dedication and generosity of our supporters:
Your Funds At Work
History of Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Grant Payments
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma obtained an independent 501(c)3 in October 2019. All funds raised prior to October 2019 were distributed through the Sarcoma Foundation of America. Data as of January 2025.
TOTAL PAID OUT TO DATE:
$2,678,758
2024: $460,708
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grants
$50,000 - Dr. Kurt Weiss - Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to support the maintenance of the tumor registry and sarcoma tissue bank. This lab supplies research material to all of the Pittsburgh sarcoma researchers and beyond.
$35,000 - Dr. Benjamin Nacev – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to unravel giant cell tumor heterogeneity: linking epigenetics with stromal-giant cell interactions using special transcriptomics.
$35,000 - Dr. Jessica Daley - Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to elucidate the mechanisms driving decreased metastatic potential of Ewing tumor following TGFB inhibition in humanized mouse model.
$35,000 - Dr Kelly Bailey - Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to study Cytokine response heterogeneity in high-risk Ewing sarcoma.
$35,000 - Dr. Jessie Nedrow – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to study trans arterial radioembolization therapy for bone sarcoma.
$35,000 – Dr. Julia Leix and Dr. Benjamin Nacev - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center for functional characterization of NCOR1 knockdown in osteosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma cell lines.
$30,000 - Dr. Karen Schoedel - UPMC Presbyterian Anatomic Pathology to study generation of chondrosarcoma models to facilitate research.
$30,000 - Ms. Tanya Heim - Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to identify and validate druggable targets in osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma through sequencing analysis and functional assays.
$25,000 - Dr. Ahmad Tafti - University of Pittsburgh to leverage artificial intelligence to formulate evidence-based treatment recommendations for sarcoma patients.
$25,000 - Dr. Lisa Ercolano – Allegheny Health Network for development of a longitudinal precision test to monitor the clinical course of sarcoma patients. (An extension grant for work funded in 2023 by PCS)
$20,000 - Mr. Carter Zivin and Dr. Benjamin Nacev – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to understand chromatin disruption as a non-genotoxic mechanism of doxorubicin derivatives.
$19,900 - Dr. Adam Olson and Dr. Kurt Weiss - UPMC Shadyside Hospital and UPMC Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory to explore novel strategies to reduce surgical wound complications for patients with sarcoma.
$17,700 - Dr. Guiseppi Intini - UPMC School of Dental Medicine for generation and maintenance of a novel transgenic immunocompetent osteosarcoma mouse model.
$9,100 - Dr. Ines Lohse - UPMC Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory to engage high school and undergraduate Hillman Academy students in sarcoma research. (To be identified as: PCS Summer Research Fellowship).
$6,000 - Dr. Guiseppi Intini - UPMC School of Dental Medicine additional support for a 2023 funded grant.
$10,000 – West Virginia University Sarcoma Fund, bringing total PCS support for this fund to $25,000 since 2023.
$10,000 - Allegheny Health Network Sarcoma Fund, bringing total PCS support for this fund to $44,181 since 2021.
$7,433 - Young Adult Survivors United through a fundraising agreement with Road to Rachel to enhance the quality of lives for YA cancer patients and their caregivers.
$5,000 - Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Fund, bringing total PCS support for this fund to $773,134 since 2011.
$5,000 - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to support Rush to Crush Cancer 2025.
$15,575 – For publication fees to ensure results of PCS funded research are disseminated throughout the sarcoma research community.
2023: $300,000
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grants
$50,000 - Dr. Kurt Weiss - Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to support the maintenance of the tumor registry and sarcoma tissue bank. This lab supplies research material to all of the Pittsburgh sarcoma researchers and beyond.
$35,000 - Dr. Kelly Bailey - Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for the evaluation of Ewing’s Sarcoma patients for a germline (genetic) abnormality and the need for genetic counseling.
$35,000 - Dr. Kurt Weiss - UPMC Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory to Investigate Exosomes in Sarcoma Patients Throughout the Cancer Journey
$35,000 - Dr. Ines Lohse - UPMC Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory to evaluate the use of two drugs in combination to reduce the growth of osteosarcoma cells.
$34,992 - Dr. Giuseppe lntini - UPMC School of Dental Medicine for the study of the occurrence of and growth of metastatic sarcoma bone in lung tissue.
$34,200 - Dr. Lisa Ercolano - Allegheny Health Network for DNA analysis of sarcoma cells aimed at selecting the most appropriate cancer treatment.
$24,110 - Dr. Molly Kledzik – West Virginia University to study of systemic inflammation and its effect on immunotherapy effectiveness and tumor relapse.
$15,000 – West Virginia University to support the establishment of a sarcoma research fund.
$13,681 - Allegheny Health Network Sarcoma Fund, bringing total PCS support for this fund to $34,181 since 2021.
$8,681 - Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Fund, bringing total PCS support for this fund to $768,134 since 2011.
$5,000 - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to support Rush to Crush Cancer 2024
$5,000 - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to support Rush to Crush Cancer 2023
$4,330 -UPMC Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory to publish findings on canine osteosarcoma research.
2022: $250,000
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grants
$50,000 - Dr. Kurt Weiss - Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to support the maintenance of the tumor registry and sarcoma tissue bank. This lab supplies research material to all of the Pittsburgh sarcoma researchers and beyond.
$35,000 - Dr. Robert Binder - University of Pittsburgh Medical School for the study of CD91 and how manipulating it may enhance sarcoma therapy.
$35,000 - Dr. Brock Lindsey - West Virginia University School of Medicine for an analysis of biomarkers in Osteosarcoma that may predict or explain tumor metastatic risk.
$35,000 - Dr. Benjamin Nacev - Hillman Cancer Center of the University of Pittsburgh for determining the effect of NCOR1 protein enhancement on Osteosarcoma.
$34,000 - Dr. Jessica Daley - Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for the study of TGF-beta and the enhancement of radiation therapy for Ewing's Sarcoma. This is a continuation of research supported last year.
$25,000 - Dr. Giuseppe Intini - University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine for the development of a "Google Map" of the human Osteosarcoma.
$16,000 - Dr. Kurt Weiss - University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine for the first trial of "Triple Therapy" in humans with advanced sarcoma.
$2,500 - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to support the annual Gala.
$5,000 - Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Fund, bringing total PCS support for this fund to $759,453 since 2011.
$12,500 - Allegheny Health Network Sarcoma Fund, bringing total PCS support for this fund to $20,500 since 2021.
*$90,000 of 2022 grants were funded by generous donations from Team Danielle
2021: $250,000
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grants
$50,000 - Dr. Kurt Weiss - Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to support the ongoing collection and maintenance of the tissue bank enabling research for all Pittsburgh sarcoma scientists.
$35,000 - Dr. Melissa Burgess - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to study the effectiveness of two immunostimulating drugs on selected sarcomas.
$35,000 - Dr. Sarah Taylor - Magee Women's Hospital to look at the immunologic makeup of leiomyosarcoma and how it relates to treatment.
$16,636 - Dr. Intini Giuseppe - University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine to investigate a unique breed of mouse allowing the study of metastatic osteosarcoma.
$35,000 - Dr. Brock Lindsey - West Virginia University Department of Orthopedics to look at nanotechnology for the delivery of therapy that stimulates the immune system.
$19,961 - Dr. Adam Olson - UPMC Shadyside Hospital to look at possible negative effects of radiation therapy.
$35,000 - Dr. Jessica Daley - Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh to study modifying the immune system to improve the outcome of radiation therapy in Ewing's sarcoma.
$8,000 - Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute to support the establishment of a sarcoma research fund.
$5,000 - Dr. Karen Schoedel - UPMC Presbyterian Anatomic Pathology to study the genetic makeup of wild type chondrosarcoma.
$5,000 - Dr. Anette Duensing - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center as emergency funding for a study in jeopardy of not being able to continue.
$5,403 - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center the balance of our grant proceeds to the Sarcoma Research Fund
2020: $230,030
Team Danielle - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$24,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grants
$50,000 - Dr. Kurt Weiss - Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to support the ongoing collection and maintenance of the tissue bank enabling research for all Pittsburgh sarcoma scientists.
$13,476 - Dr. Anette Duensing - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center as emergency funding for attempted repair and purchase of an ultra-low temp freezer.
$2,500 - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to support the annual Gala.
$2,500 - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to support the Sarcoma Research Fund.
Sarcoma Foundation of America Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Award
$87,554 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
$50,000 - Ryan Roberts, MD, PhD - The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, “Identifying mechanisms of osteosarcoma chemoresistance that arise from the lung metastatic niche”
2019: $140,883
Team Danielle - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$30,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
Sarcoma Foundation of America Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Award
$60,883 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
$50,000 – Dr. David Scadden, Massachusetts General Hospital, “Identification of molecular targets promoting differentiation and loss of self-renewal in osteosarcoma”
2018: $146,055
Team Danielle - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$30,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
Sarcoma Foundation of America Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Award
$66,055 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
$50,000 – Dr. Maria Paola Paronetto, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, “Global impact of the DNA/RNA helicase DHX9 on the processing of coding and noncoding transcripts in Ewing sarcoma pathogenesis”
2017: $153,130
Team Danielle - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$30,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
Sarcoma Foundation of America Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Award
$73,130 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
$50,000 – Dr. Cheryl London, Tufts Medical Center, “Interrogating the regulation, function and therapeutic potential of monocarboxylate transporters in osteosarcoma”
2016: $226,191
Team Danielle - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$30,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
Sarcoma Foundation of America Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Co-Founder Carl Firetto Memorial Research Award / Co-Founder Bill Suit Memorial Research Award
$96,191 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
$50,000 – Dr. William Karl Decker, Baylor College of Medicine, “Outbred Canine Model of Adjuvant Immunotherapy for Angiosarcoma”
$50,000 – Dr. Lionel Mu-Lo Chow, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, “A Novel Genetically Engineered Mouse Model for Angiosarcoma: Molecular Characterization and Comparison to Human Angiosarcoma to Develop Targeted Therapy”
2015: $217,993
Team Danielle - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$30,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
Sarcoma Foundation of America Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Co-Founder Carl Firetto Memorial Research Award / Co-Founder Bill Suit Memorial Research Award
$87,993 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
$50,000 – Dr. Meenakshi Hegde, Baylor College of Medicine, “Adoptive cellular therapy for Ewing’s sarcoma”
$50,000 – Dr. Steven Katz, Roger Williams Hospital, “Pre-clinical development of anti-KIT CAR-Ts for metastatic GIST”
2014: $155,371
Team Danielle - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$20,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
Sarcoma Foundation of America Pittsburgh 5K Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$75,371 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
$10,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund (Golf)
$50,000 – Dr. Liang-Chuan Wang, University of Pennsylvania, “CAR T Cell Therapy for Sarcoma”
2013: $120,077
Team Danielle - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$10,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
Sarcoma Foundation of America Pittsburgh 5K Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$52,077 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
$8,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
$50,000 – Dr. Brian Van Tine, Washington University, St. Louis “A metabolomic approach to targeting ASS1 deficient sarcomas”
2012: $28,320
Team Danielle - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$5,000 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund
Sarcoma Foundation of America Pittsburgh 5K Cure Sarcoma Research Grant
$23,320 – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Fund