Partnerships that Power Progress

In late 2023, we met Katie Bernard and Martin Bell. Their son, Alex, was in treatment for a rare, disseminated low-grade glioma brain tumour called DLGNT.

Katie had created an international network to connect families and patients diagnosed with DLGNT. Martin was training for the Everest in the Alps challenge. Together, they were fundraising with a shared goal: to create a dedicated research grant focused on these rare pediatric and young adult brain tumours.

Some partnerships, collaborations, and friendships are simply meant to be. This was one of them.

In 2024, we entered discussions with Kindred Foundation and moved forward on a partnership to bring this research grant to life.

During this time, Alex’s tumour progressed. After 178 days in the ICU, Alex passed away at the age of 23.

Through deep grief, we kept pushing forward.

In 2025, the Cancer Research Society (CRS) enthusiastically joined Kindred and PBTF as a partner. Together, a $650,000 research grant was created for pediatric and young adult disseminatedlow-grade glioma brain tumours. This was made possible through remarkable support from Parex Resources, Boston Consulting Group, and generous donors from around the world.

In December 2025, Dr. Adrian Levine from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) was awarded the Team Syren Research Grant for his project, “Elucidating the mechanisms of dissemination and therapy resistance in pediatric low-grade glioma.”

We are Team Syren because of Alex. Alex was a talented singer-songwriter known as Syren.

We are deeply hopeful for what will be accomplished over the next three years, and we look forward to sharing updates every step of the way.

If you’d like to support Team Syren as they take on this year’s Everest in the Alps challenge, you can make a donation here.