Lance Bertrand

Research Grant
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Lance Bertrand

Lance Bertrand lost his battle with lung cancer on December 31, 2018, but he won the hearts of all who knew him with his strength, perseverance, dedication, passion and that amazing smile. Known to friends, family, doctors and staff and MD Anderson as Superman, the Miracle Man, Iron Man, Bionic Man, Legend and the Captain – Lance was treated for 10 years at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center after being diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, just 4 months prior to his wedding day to the love of his life, Therese. Lance was dad to Jude and Jolie Bertrand.

Rexanna’s Foundation is honored to recognize, celebrate, and memorialize the memory of Lance through a grant that will be given annually for research dedicated to extending the lives of lung cancer patients and focused on eradicating it completely.

Lance Bertrant Headshot

Grant Proposals

Grant proposals will be received from researchers beginning November 1st in recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month and accepted through December 31st. Grant selections will be announced by the last Monday in January of each year. Award recognition will take place at the Houston Lone Star Huddle Up in Houston, Texas every February.
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Funded Research

2024

Funded by —
Lance Bertrand Grant

MD Anderson Young-Onset Lung Cancer Center (YOLCC) Initiative

Researchers:
Eric K. Singhi, MD - Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Department of General Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | Mara B. Antonoff, MD - Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

This project will directly benefit young adults with lung cancer by providing specialized care that addresses their unique needs, from diagnosis through survivorship. The holistic support services and expert care provided by the YOLCC are designed to improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and offer a supportive community. The insights and advancements achieved through this initiative could also set a precedent for addressing other cancers affecting younger individuals, potentially transforming care paradigms across different disease spaces.
Headshot of Don L. Gibbons, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Deputy Chair, Thoracic-Head and Neck Medical Oncology <br />Samrat Kundu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Thoracic-Head and Neck Medical Oncology

2023

Funded by —
Lance Bertrand Grant

Understanding direct-KRAS inhibitor resistance pathways for therapeutic targeting in non-small cell lung cancer

Researchers:
Don L. Gibbons, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Deputy Chair, Thoracic-Head and Neck Medical Oncology
Samrat Kundu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Thoracic-Head and Neck Medical Oncology

There is an urgent need to understand why certain patients benefit from KRAS inhibitors and others do not. These preclinical studies will be critical in advancing this exciting class of KRAS inhibitors to combination clinical trials, ultimately leading to potential approval as frontline cancer therapeutics. Family Funding: Lance Bertrand Research Grant
1st Annual

Lance Bertrand Grant

2020 Recipients
Primary Investigator:
Dr. Tina Cascone
Collaborators:
Dr. Reuben
Dr. Kadara
Dr. Wang.

A total grant of $50,000 was given to Dr. Cascone & her team for research that addresses the recurrence of cancer after surgery alone. The benefits to patients of this research is the development of therapeutic strategies that will overcome immune suppression and reverse resistance to treatments.

Pictured from left to right: Lisa Spain (Executive Director of Rexanna's Foundation), Monica Vega (Lance Bertrand's Sister), Brent Bertrand (Lance Bertrand's Brother), Therese Bertrand (Lance Bertrand's spouse), Dr. Tina Cascone, Dr. Alexandre Reuben, & Dr. John Heymach.