The Kosten Foundation for pancreatic cancer support today announced a $200,000 grant to establish the Dermon II Family and Herb Kosten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). The fund is to be used exclusively for the research of pancreatic cancer, the disease that claimed the Kosten Foundation’s namesake, Herb Kosten.
“A grant of this magnitude from the Dermon family and the Kosten Foundation represents a selfless display of philanthropy from our Mid-South community,” said Stephen W. Behrman, MD, professor of surgery at UTHSC. “These funds will allow our team at UTHSC to accelerate our translational research in pancreas cancer that we feel confident will lead to advances in the treatment and care of those afflicted with this disease.”
Since the Kosten Foundation was established in 2003, it has provided regular donations to the UTHSC pancreatic cancer research team, while working hand-in-hand with the team to help educate the general public about pancreatic cancer, the medical advances the research team achieves, and support and advocacy opportunities for those affected by pancreatic cancer.
“We are proud to announce this grant for the continued research at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for a cure for pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal forms of cancer,” said Alan Kosten, chairman of the Herb Kosten Pancreatic Cancer Charitable Fund. “We are thankful for the Dermon family’s support of the Kosten Foundation’s mission of research, advocacy, education and hope, as well as the work of our partners, the UTHSC pancreatic cancer research team.”
The Kosten Foundation holds support group meetings at the Cordova Public Library the second Saturday of every month for those affected by pancreatic cancer. The pancreatic cancer support group is open to anyone who would like to attend.
The Kosten Foundation recently published a video about the foundation and the UTHSC Pancreatic Cancer Research Team. The video can be viewed on the Kosten Foundation YouTube page.
About the Kosten Foundation:
Inspired by the death of Herb Kosten due to pancreatic disease and the lack of community support and research progress toward this disease, his family initiated a grassroots fundraising effort in the Memphis community. Yearly tennis tournaments, a favorite sport of Mr. Kosten, have yielded generous funding toward the fight against pancreatic cancer in the Mid-South. Founded in 2003, shortly after his death, the Herb Kosten Pancreatic Cancer Charitable Fund was established by his family in order to pay tribute to a man who battled cancer with dignity and courage. Their programs include an annual symposium headlined by nationally recognized leaders in the field of pancreatic cancer, as well as fellowship training for future pancreatic cancer surgeons. The organization also hosts a monthly support group meeting, providing hope and help for patients and their families. Additionally, it has an annual walk/run called the “Kick It 5k” that raises money, as well as spreading awareness.
In photo: Front row, from left: Sheema Khan, PhD, UTHSC; Subhash Chauhan, PhD, UTHSC; Stephen Behrman, MD, UTHSC; Jeffrey Goldberg, Kosten Foundation; Joan Dermon, PhD, Dermon II Family; Kathryn Gilbert Craig, Kosten Foundation; Julie Kosten, Kosten Foundation; Nadeem Zafar, MD, UTHSC; Alan Kosten, Kosten Foundation; Zach Pretzer, UTHSC; Meena Jaggi, PhD, UTHSC.
Back row, from left: Uzair M. Bilal (middle school student); Mohammad Sikander, PhD; Bilal B. Hafeez, PhD; Vivek K. Kashyap, PhD; Subash K. Gupta, PhD; Murali M. Yallapu, PhD; Saini Setua, MS; Sonam Kumari, MS (all from UTHSC).