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BCAN Expands Research Offerings

New bladder cancer research award and new staff position added

(September 8, 2021 – Bethesda, MD) Today, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, BCAN, announced an expansion of its research program to end bladder cancer, a disease impacting more than 700,000 people in the United States.  

In a quest to fuel today’s research that will promote tomorrow’s cure for bladder cancer, BCAN announced the creation of its first-ever Career Development Award (CDA), a three-year grant totaling $250,000 for junior investigators who have yet to secure their first major research funding in bladder cancer, including upper tract disease.  The grant will support researchers who have received their initial faculty appointment to establish an independent bladder cancer research program and successful career path in this field.  Windows for grant submissions will open in 2022 and more details will be announced at that time.

This new grant will complement BCAN’s research grant portfolio encompassing early-career awards, its Young Investigator Awards, as well as the Research Innovation Award, given to established investigators carrying out groundbreaking or novel approaches to improve outcomes for bladder cancer patients.

Jared Sher, the Chair of the BCAN Board of Directors, said “We are excited to add an additional funding vehicle for researchers to study ways to defeat this terrible disease, and to expand our commitment to sponsoring groundbreaking research that we hope will contribute to improved patient outcomes and, ultimately, lead us to a cure.”

BCAN also announced that Rebecca Barasky, MPH, has joined as BCAN’s Director of Research.  Rebecca is responsible for the day-to-day operational oversight and management of all grant activities including application solicitation, grants management, investigator support, and analysis of program efficiency.  Rebecca also manages BCAN grants from pre-award through award close-out while working closely with BCAN’s senior management team and Board to successfully achieve desired research outcomes.

Prior to joining BCAN, Rebecca was the Associate Director, Science Operations, Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science at the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, (PCORI). 

Andrea Maddox-Smith, CEO of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, said “We are so pleased that Rebecca has joined the BCAN family.  Her new role speaks to the need for expanded research, programs and services for those impacted by bladder cancer.  It is also a testament to the generosity of BCAN donors.”

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The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network’s (BCAN’s) mission is to increase public awareness about bladder cancer, advance bladder cancer research and, provide educational and support services for the bladder cancer community.

Contact:  Mark Story
Director of Communications and Marketing
mstory@bcan.org
202-445-5798

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