Cell and gene therapies, such as immunotherapy treatments for cancer, attack the cancer, not the patient.
Stamford, CT (PRWEB) December 03, 2014
Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, Inc. (ACGT) – the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated exclusively to cell and gene therapies for cancer – today launched its #NotImmune campaign, which aims to put a spotlight on the need for funding research, so cancer can become a more manageable disease and patients can receive quality treatment with fewer painful side effects.
“Cancer is an aggressive disease for which the treatments often come with devastating side effects,” Margaret Cianci, Executive Director, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), said. “Cell and gene therapies, such as immunotherapy treatments for cancer, attack the cancer, not the patient. It’s a powerful message and a game changer for those undergoing cancer treatments. We want to fund research that will bring these types of treatments to all patients.”
By rallying the community in support of cancer research, ACGT aims to prove that no one is immune to the cause. In support of the campaign, ACGT has launched an online store (http://www.acgtfoundation.com/notimmune) where supporters can purchase t-shirts, wristbands, cinch sacs and key chains or make a tax free donation with 100% of the funds going directly to cancer gene and cell therapy research. Visitors to the site can also view an educational video on the power of immunotherapy, featuring clinical trial success story, Bob Levis, who two years ago received a terminal diagnosis and, after participating in a clinical trial at the University of Pennsylvania led by Dr. Carl June, an ACGT grantee, is today cancer free.
“We’re fortunate to have funded researchers early on, selected by our esteemed Scientific Advisory Council, who are now considered pioneers in the fields of cell and gene therapy, and to have an active and engaged community of supporters,” Barbara Netter, President and Co-Founder ofACGT, said. “Cancer is something that impacts patients, their families and the community and we invite everyone to join us in showing they’re not immune to the cause just as we were when we lost our young daughter-in-law to breast cancer.”
ACGT is based in Stamford, CT and funds top physicians and researchers at medical institutions in the US and Canada. The foundation supports a number of gene therapy treatments including immunotherapy, which activates patients’ own immune systems to battle cancerous cells. Recently, the FDA granted “fast-track status” to an immunotherapy treatment for leukemia for which ACGT provided early funding. ACGT has granted nearly $25 million to researchers since its founding in 2001 by Barbara Netter and her late husband, Edward.
Show you are not “immune to the cause”!
Help fund the next cancer research breakthrough: http://www.acgtfoundation.org/give-to-acgt/donate
Purchase great items: http://www.acgtfoundation.com/notimmune
Promote on Twitter and Facebook: #notimmune
About Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT)
Established in 2001, ACGT (http://www.acgtfoundation.org) is the nation’s only not-for-profit exclusively dedicated to cell and gene therapy treatments for all types of cancer. One-hundred percent of contributions go directly to research. ACGT has funded 44 grants in the U.S. and Canada since its founding in 2001 by Barbara Netter and her late husband, Edward, to conduct and accelerate critically needed innovative research. ACGT’s Scientific Advisory Council, comprised of 16 of the nation’s most distinguished physicians and researchers in cell and gene therapy, thoroughly review all grants. Since its inception, ACGT has awarded 29 grants to Young Investigators and 15 grants to Clinical Investigators, totaling $24.7 million in funding. Barbara Netter, as President, together with other members of the Board of Directors, are fully committed to ACGT’s continued support of this research. ACGT is located at 96 Cummings Point Road, Stamford, CT 06902.
ACGT on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ACGTfoundation
ACGT on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ACGTfoundation
ACGT on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ACGTfoundation