MIB Agents' Community of Families Has Awarded $2.5M in Grants to Research Pediatric Bone Cancer

June 16, 2025

MIB Agents' Community of Families Has Awarded $2.5M in Grants to Research Pediatric Bone Cancer

Leading Pediatric Osteosarcoma Nonprofit to Present $700,000 to 10 Scientists During Annual Conference to Find Kinder Treatments for Patients

BARNARD, VT., June 17, 2025 -- MIB Agents, a leading pediatric osteosarcoma nonprofit dedicated to Making It Better for its community of patients, caregivers, doctors, and researchers, announced today that since its inception in 2016, it has awarded $2.5 million to scientists across the country through its OutSmarting Osteosarcoma grant program. The OutSmarting Osteosarcoma grants are supported by MIB Agents Family Funds, osteosarcoma patients and families who raise research dollars in honor of an OsteoWarrior, a patient currently battling osteosarcoma or an OsteoAngel, a loved one who has passed.

As part of MIB Agents' FACTOR Conference taking place June 26-28 in Salt Lake City, Utah, where clinicians, researchers, industry partners, survivors, patients and bereaved families gather to collaborate and discuss progress in osteosarcoma research, the nonprofit will award $700,000 in grants to 10 scientists dedicated to moving osteosarcoma cancer research forward. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive, malignant, primary bone cancer affecting 800-900 people in the U.S. each year and is the most common bone cancer affecting children and young adults. 

"I lost my best friend Martin to osteosarcoma, and I carry his memory into every experiment, every breakthrough,” said David Ulmert, MD, PhD, at UCLA. “This award isn’t just support for our research—it’s a lifeline of hope, a reminder that we are not alone in this fight to spare others from the heartbreak of this disease. It is also a tribute to Sydney, whose strength and spirit continue to shine through the Kaplan family, who have honored her connection to this community by funding the research that brings us closer to a cure."

Dr. Ulmert is one of four scientists selected to receive a $100,000 Hero Grant, the highest funding level awarded through the OutSmarting Osteosarcoma program. These awards recognize bold, innovative research projects poised to make a significant impact in the fight against osteosarcoma.

The OutSmarting Osteosarcoma grant represents a partnership between the scientific and patient community with patients and their families funding much-needed research. Patients and caregivers participate in the MIB Agents robust scientific review process alongside scientists, clinicians and researchers, offering a voice on how research will impact patient outcomes.

The OutSmarting Osteosarcoma 2025 grant recipients receiving $100,000 Hero grants each for research will be awarded to:

  • Alexander Davies, DVM, PhD | Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute | Granted in partnership with Fishin’ for the Cure, Because of Matthew
  • Amy LeBlanc, DVM | National Cancer Institute
  • Corey Weistuch, PhD | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • David Ulmert, MD, PhD | University of California, Los Angeles | Granted Because of Sydney

Recipients receiving a $50,000 Hope Young Investigator grant include:

  • Aafrin M. Pettiwala, PhD | University of California, San Francisco
  • Ali Cihan, PhD | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center  | Granted Because of Isaac
  • Andrew S. Clugston, PhD | University of California, San Francisco | Granted in partnership with the RISE Foundation, Because of Reese
  • Janeala Morsby, PhD | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Granted Because of Buddy
  • Joseph Skeate, PhD | University of Minnesota | Granted Because of Annaleigh
  • Ram Rao, MD, PhD | Seattle Children’s Research Institute

Among the families fueling this year’s grants is Kat and Hossein Golesorkhi, whose son Buddy has bravely battled osteosarcoma for more than half his life. Driven by love, resilience, and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for other families, the Golesorkhi family established a Family Fund to support research through MIB Agents. Kat shared her family's journey and why supporting the OutSmarting Osteosarcoma program is so deeply personal:

“In 2019, when our son Buddy was just five years old, he was diagnosed with metastatic osteosarcoma. To call it a shock doesn’t begin to capture the devastation we felt—we had no idea what lay ahead. Six years later, after countless rounds of chemotherapy, more than a dozen surgeries—including thoracotomies, a leg-salvage procedure, and eventually an amputation—we are still in the fight to save his life. This journey has shown us both the brutality of osteosarcoma and the strength of community. Determined to help other families facing this diagnosis and to support the search for better treatments and a cure, we established a Family Fund with MIB Agents. Through this partnership, we’re proud to support initiatives like the OutSmarting Osteosarcoma grant, which funds innovative research and offers hope where it's most needed. This fund is more than a donation—it's a testament to the power of collective action. Together, we can make it better.”

To learn more about MIB Agents, the OutSmarting Osteosarcoma grant program or to make a donation toward pediatric osteosarcoma research, please click here.

About MIB Agents
Founded in 2012, MIB Agents is a leading pediatric osteosarcoma nonprofit dedicated to making it better for our community of patients, caregivers, doctors, and researchers through programs, education, and research.