NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) - the nation's largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to funding innovative lymphoma research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives, and patient services – honors 25 years of innovation and progress, including the establishment of its elite Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and legacy of best-in-class educational programs and resources for the lymphoma community.
In 1995, the LRF mission was realized: to eradicate lymphoma – by funding innovative research guided by its elite SAB – and to serve those touched by this disease – by sharing research and treatment insights with members of the lymphoma community through national education programs. Under the leadership of its Founding Chair, Joseph R. Bertino, MD, the SAB began its work with ten members and a commitment to excellence and visionary thinking.
Today, the SAB is world-renowned and comprised of 45 expert lymphoma clinicians and researchers who guide LRF's research portfolio and offer their expertise to inform LRF's programming and patient resources. As a result of its elite SAB, LRF has awarded more than $63 million in lymphoma-specific research, to date; and serves more than 1.5 million people in all 50 states and 40 countries through education programs, support services, and digital resources, each year.
"LRF, through its grantees, scientific experts and research program, has influenced every significant breakthrough in the field for the past 25 years," said Andrew D. Zelenetz, Chair of the LRF Scientific Advisory Board. "The SAB has been instrumental in helping LRF ensure a brighter future for all those touched by lymphoma, and it is my honor to serve as Chair and celebrate this incredible milestone with LRF."
In the past 25 years:
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) mortality rates have decreased by 55 percent , 50 percent and 39 percent, respectively
- CLL, HL and NHL five-year survival rates have increased by 17 percent, 10 percent and 44 percent, respectively
- More than 30 drugs to treat lymphoma have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
"Supporting life-saving research, driving awareness, empowering patients and caregivers, and helping to identify and address gaps in care for the lymphoma community has all been at the Foundation's core for the past 25 years," said Steven Eichberg, Chair of the LRF Board of Directors. "I am continuously hopeful and energized by the passion and care exhibited by our researchers, our scientific leadership, our employees, and the lymphoma community—whose work and dedication to LRF mission's makes an impact each and every day."
To celebrate its 25-year milestone, LRF reveals its new tagline "Finding Cures Starts Here" and is launching global efforts to support an additional 25 years of innovation and progress:
- A multi-million commitment and establishment of a new disease-specific initiative (to be revealed in September 2020)
- A commemorative microsite dedicated to the Foundation's 25th Anniversary
- Virtual 25th Anniversary LRF Gala on Sept. 30, which will debut a video series honoring LRF co-founders Barbara and Jerry Freundlich and past SAB Chairs, and highlighting scientific progress made since the Foundation's inception
- 25th Annual North American Educational Forum on Lymphoma virtual conference from Oct. 23-25, the largest lymphoma-specific patient conference in the world
- 10th Anniversary of Blood Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) and its BCAM initiative Light it Red for Lymphoma by illuminating buildings, monuments and landmarks worldwide in glowing red lights
- Virtual 14th Annual Lymphoma Research Ride on Oct. 4, an outdoor cycling fundraising event for children and adults of all experience levels
"The Lymphoma Research Foundation has always been committed to making an impact on the lymphoma community," said Meghan Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer at LRF. "The awareness we have brought to the needs of people with lymphoma, the innovative lymphoma research and scientific thought leadership we have supported, and the patients and caregivers we have empowered brings us great hope, and fuels the Foundation's path ahead to a world without lymphoma."
Support of the Lymphoma Research Foundation 25th Anniversary and efforts include AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Inc., and Karyopharm Therapeutics.
To support the 25th Anniversary of the Lymphoma Research Foundation, visit lymphoma.org/25, follow LRF on social media and use #LRFCures25.
About the Lymphoma Research Foundation
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation's largest non-profit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services. To date, LRF has awarded more than $63 million in lymphoma-specific research. For additional information on LRF's research, education and services, visit lymphoma.org.
SOURCE Lymphoma Research Foundation
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