Purdue announces Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center
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Purdue University is establishing a new pediatric cancer center in the name of one of its biggest fans.
Kelly and Tony Trent, parents of Purdue super fan Tyler Trent, joined university officials between quarters of Purdue’s Hammer Down Cancer football game Saturday against Ohio State University to announce the founding of the Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center.
Tyler Trent died on Jan. 1, 2019, after a five-year fight with osteosarcoma. He became a household name throughout his battle with the rare bone cancer for his love of Purdue athletics, predicting an upset win against Ohio State in 2018. The Boilermakers defeated Ohio State in the highly anticipated match-up, 49-20.
Years later, as the two teams met once again, Trent’s family say words are inadequate to describe their gratitude for the center named for their son.
“As a parent who has lost a child, the best gift you can give me is to remember my child and celebrate him,” Kelly Trent said in a news release. “One of Tyler’s passions, as many know, was pediatric cancer research, and to have his name attached to a center doing that work, in his honor, is absolutely priceless!”
The Trent family was among the first to support the new center financially, donating $100,000 to the project.
Those slated to work in the new center say it will combine Purdue’s existing specialties in engineering, veterinary medicine, nutrition science, chemistry, pharmacy and biological sciences to help develop new pediatric cancer treatments.
“The new Tyler Trent center and the interdisciplinary research that take place here will set us apart from other pediatric cancer research centers,” Purdue Institute for Cancer Research Director Andy Mesecar said. “Our combination of scientific talent is uniquely Purdue. There is really nothing else like this.”
The university is accepting donations to fund the research center. More information is available by clicking here.