What is Kirsten's Legacy
Named in memory of Kirsten Sandstrom, Kirsten's Legacy is TGen's research and clinical program for defeating Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC).
TGen, the Translational Genomics Research Institute, is a non-profit Phoenix, Arizona, based institute that employs a number of todays leading genomic researchers studying many types of cancer, including ACC.
ACC is rare: less than 2 individuals in 1 million are affected. When the numbers are that low, few federal or philanthropic dollars flow toward studying the causes or finding a cure. That means fewer advances in diagnoses or therapeutic treatments.
Kirsten’s Legacy and the ATAC Fund Join Forces
Prior developing Kirsten’s Legacy, TGen’s ACC program was established by funding from ACC survivor Troy Richards. Richards also actively raised dollars for ACC research through his Advancing Treatment for Adrenal Cancer (ATAC) fund.
In late 2010, Gary and Barbara Pasquinelli of Yuma, Arizona, began working with TGen to establish Kirsten’s Legacy in memory of their daughter Kirsten Sandstrom, a young woman who had lost her battle with ACC in March of that year.
Richards and the Pasquinelli family merged efforts and today pursue a cure for ACC through the Kirsten’s Legacy program.
TGen’s ACC Research
Historically, researchers have made little progress toward finding an effective treatment for adrenal cancer. In fact, only one drug, called Mitotane — a derivative of DDT— earned FDA approval in the last 40 years.
TGen hopes to change all that.
TGen is one of only a handful of research institutes pursuing breakthroughs against ACC. Our researchers and clinicians leverage the latest in technologies, many never before used on ACC research and in some cases never used on any other cancer research. TGen has and will continue to discover groundbreaking technologies and new targets, producing more Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC) data than ever before.
Currently, TGen is conducting one of the most comprehensive genomic studies of adrenal cancer undertaken to date. The hope is that the information obtained will enable TGen researchers to pinpoint the abnormalities of ACC tumors, learn about the biology, and in turn, use that information against the disease in a clinical setting.
Support Kirsten’s Legacy
We encourage you to learn more about Kirsten’s Legacy and strongly consider supporting our pledge to defect ACC. All monies raised support advances in ACC research and clinical care.
To speak with a TGen Foundation representative, please phone 602-343-8411.
