In a poignant remembrance, ten years after the passing of ESPN icon Stuart Scott, his enduring impact on the fight against cancer continues to resonate strongly. The Stuart Memorial Cancer Research Fund, established in his honor, has contributed over $22 million to cancer research, significantly advancing studies that were previously overlooked.
Dr. Victoria Bae-Jump, one of the early beneficiaries of the fund, spoke to ABC11 about the profound influence this financial support has had on her work. She received one of the first grants from the Stuart Scott Research Fund in 2015, focusing on cancer disparities. Initially unfamiliar with Scott’s fame, she was soon educated by her husband, a sports enthusiast, about the legend’s influence.
Bae-Jump’s research primarily delves into endometrial cancer, a disease that has historically been underfunded and understudied, with alarming trends showing worsening outcomes, particularly for Black women, who face a mortality rate twice that of their white counterparts. “We don’t really 100% know why the outcomes are,” she stated, emphasizing the urgent need for dedicated research in this area.
The grant from Scott’s fund was a catalyst for a broader investigation into the disparities surrounding endometrial cancer. This funding enabled Bae-Jump and her team to begin examining genomic differences between tumors in Black and white women and their disparate treatment outcomes. This pioneering approach laid the groundwork for the Carolina Endometrial Cancer Study, which aims to gather comprehensive data from women across all 100 counties in North Carolina.
This extensive study involves interviews, surveys, and medical record analyses to better understand diagnosis and treatment patterns, striving for answers in a field that has long lacked adequate focus. Recently, the team secured an impressive $11.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to further establish a specialized program at the University of North Carolina, specifically targeting cancer disparities.
Since its inception, the Stuart Scott Fund has made remarkable strides: awarding $22.5 million to 64 researchers, contributing to over 10,000 publications and 1,500 patents, and connecting to more than 100 clinical trials, ultimately aiding scientists in garnering over $2.5 billion in additional research funding. Such statistics reflect a concentrated effort to address the inequality prevalent in cancer care and treatment.
Dr. Bae-Jump underscored the importance of inclusivity in research, noting that Black women have been significantly underrepresented in clinical studies. She expressed a commitment to improving cancer outcomes and decreasing the risks associated with the disease. “Everyone is touched by cancer in some way,” she pointed out. It is this mission that carries forth Stuart Scott’s legacy, not only within the sports realm but also in the ongoing battle against cancer, where his memory continues to inspire life-saving research.
In celebration of Scott’s legacy, the annual BOO-Yah gala is scheduled to take place in New York on December 10. For those wishing to contribute to this cause, donations can be made through the V Foundation’s online platform. Furthermore, ESPN is set to premiere a 30 for 30 documentary chronicling Stuart’s life and impact at 9 PM EST on ESPN and the ESPN app.
