Our Mission:
To provide critical funding for research related to the prevention, treatment, and ultimate cure of neuroblastoma and other pediatric cancers. We also provide financial assistance to families with children battling cancer in Southwest Michigan.
The Alex Mandarino Foundation was founded in 2013 by Tony & Katie Mandarino to honor the courage and strength of their son, Alex. It is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity.
Most pediatric cancer treatments have not significantly improved in the past 30 years. Without funding, progress cannot be made to find a cure for childhood cancers or improve the effectiveness of their treatments. For our most vulnerable family members, this is unacceptable. That is why The Alex Mandarino Foundation exists.
Funding the Best Research
The Alex Mandarino Foundation has given over $600,000 to fund promising research for childhood cancer. Dr. Andre Bachmann at Michigan State University has received nearly $200,000 from the foundation. The funds allow for further enhancement of a promising drug that has proven to work in some neuroblastoma patients, DFMO. Specifically, when DFMO is combined with another promising drug, it has shown to stay in the bloodstream longer improving the effectiveness of the treatment. Read more about our gifts to MSU Department of Human Medicine here.
The Alex Mandarino Foundation helps support Dr. Giselle Sholler at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Sholler is conducting a study combining precision medicine with precision immunotherapy. In her trials, a child has a biopsy of their tumor and an individualized treatment plan is created. At the same time, the patient has white blood cells harvested for the creation of personalized vaccines against their tumors.
| Year | Research Hospital Grants from The Alex Mandarino Foundation |
| 2013 | Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium – Dr. Giselle Sholler |
| 2014 | Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center – Dept. of Pediatrics – Antibody Therapy Trials (Hu3F8-BsAB) – Dr. Nai-Kong Cheung |
| 2015 | Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center – Dept. of Pediatrics -Antibody Therapy Trials (Hu3F8-BsAB) – Dr. Nai-Kong Cheung |
| 2016 | Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – Dr. André Bachman – Pediatric Cancer Research (TRI -199) |
| 2017 | Children’s Hospital of Philadeliphia – Dr. Yael P. Mossé – Neuroblastoma Research |
| 2018 | Rush University – Neuroblastoma Research – Dr. Mary Beth Madonna |
| 2019 | Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – Dr. André Bachman – Pediatric Cancer Research |
| Rush University – Neuroblastoma Research – Dr. Mary Beth Madonna | |
| 2020 | Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – Dr. André Bachman – Pediatric Cancer Research |
| 2021 | Atrium Health Foundation – Immunotherapy Research – Dr. Giselle Sholler |
| Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – Dr. André Bachman – Pediatric Cancer Research | |
| 2023 | St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital – Neuroblastoma Research |
| Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – Dr. André Bachman – Pediatric Cancer Research |
