HARRISBURG, Pa. — A $100,000 grant has been allotted to UMPC to offer tumor and germline sequencing to patients battling Ewing Sarcoma in Western Pennsylvania. The money was secured by republican representatives Jason Ortitay and Tim O’Neal. The representatives say the grant can potentially answer questions about the uptick of Ewings cases in the region, specifically in Washington County. Representative O’Neal said the meeting on cancer in the area held in Canonsburg left many unanswered questions and both reps hope that the research grant could find those answers or possibly identify the cause of the disease. There are no known environmental factors that cause Ewing sarcoma, but some residents are concerned that could be causing these issues. The Pennsylvania State Department of Health conducted a study earlier this year, and it was determined there was no cancer “cluster” in Washington County. The department is sharing their thoughts and findings on the study at the Canon-McMillan High School on October 7th.