McKenna Claire Foundation, a Huntington Beach nonprofit for pediatric brain cancer, was presented with a $292,466 check from the Chevron Corporation in June from Brain Cancer Awareness Month fundraising in gas stations. The funds will go towards its programs in support of research of inoperable and terminal pediatric brain cancer.
The foundation, named after the founders’ daughter McKenna Claire Wetzel, who died of a pediatric tumor called a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), which affects the brain stem, aims to raise research funds for the non-survivable brain cancer. The median survival of children diagnosed with DIPG is approximately nine months because children can’t participate in many existing cancer treatments, as they are created for adults.
“The support from Chevron customers gives hope, where there previously was none,” said Kristine Wetzel, McKenna’s mother and co-founder of the foundation. “Researchers are continuing to distribute cell lines originated from McKenna’s tumor and this donation will allow us to continue supporting their research.”
The funds raised by Chevron came from Southern California Chevron customer donations during Brain Cancer Awareness Month in May.
All donations will go toward funding research and increasing community involvement.
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