Congressman Cohen Announces $364,860 Grant for St. Jude to Combat “AT”

The grant will allow Dr. Peter J. McKinnon, an Associate Member of the Department of Genetics/Tumor Cell Biology, to continue his study of ataxia telangiectasia (AT), a lethal genetic disease that attacks children. AT causes progressive loss of motor skills and predisposes children to cancer and immune system problems.

“I am very pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services has again recognized the invaluable work being done at St. Jude,” said Congressman Cohen. “Thanks to the hard work and tireless efforts of the dedicated scientists at St. Jude, great strides have been made in combating lethal childhood diseases like AT. This is a tragic disease and this grant will enable Dr. McKinnon to pursue his important research.”

Children with AT are typically in wheelchairs even before they reach adolescence and few survive into their twenties. Currently, there is neither a cure for AT nor any proven life prolonging treatment. The disease is estimated to occur in one out of every 40,000 births in the United States.

For more information on AT, please visit www.stjude.org or the AT Children’s Project at www.communityatcp.org.

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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, (202) 225-3265/ (202) 368-9275 (mobile)
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, (202) 225-3265 / (202) 320-2817 (mobile)