After forty years of research to counter or cure acute myeloid leukemia and other blood cancers, a few years ago the medical community exploded with eight new cancer drugs.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in collaboration with The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group and the Mark Foundation recently announced that $6.75 million has been awarded to nine exceptional scientists working on therapies for blood cancers. It is the hope of LLS and its partners that this new award will promote the development of drugs for blood cancers to the next level.
The innovative Grant Program for Blood Cancer Discoveries seeks to give encouragement to highly experienced researchers in the field of blood cancers. The group is looking for novel approaches in the treatment of lymphoma, leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloma.
The cancers in this group represent the second leading cause of deaths from cancer in the United States.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Lee Greenberger, the chief scientific officer at LLS, describes how over the last seventy years LLS has taken the lead in supporting revolutionary treatments for cancer.
Its investment in research amounts to almost $1.3 billion during that period. LLS was involved in the first wave of chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. LLS was at the forefront of discoveries in precision medicine and immunotherapy.
He expressed gratitude to the Mark Foundation and the Frontiers Group for teaming up with LLS to fund the work of these exceptionally dedicated scientists.
Greenberger said the new initiative establishes LLS as supporting research that will foster new ideas. The hope is that these innovations will become the next level of treatments and cures. Every effort will be made to expedite the new treatments to cancer patients.
About the Grants
The projects will award $750,000 to each researcher over a period of three years. The participants receive the award based on their intent to delve into the cause of these blood cancers, reason for their growth, and cancer’s resistance to treatments.
Dr. Michele Cleary, the Mark Foundation’s CEO, notes that the “pace of achievement” can be accelerated through collaboration. She points to the three foundations that are encouraging the nine scientists in their quest to meet the challenges connected with these blood cancers.
Dr. Kathryn Richmond of the Frontiers Group, Allen Institute, added that her organization is committed to extending the reach of bioscience while accelerating discoveries. She said that the grants offer the opportunity for new directions for research in blood cancers.
About LLS
LLS, based in New York with chapters nationwide and in Canada, began operations in 1949. The agency funds research on blood cancers worldwide. LLS provides support services, free information, and represents patients needing coordinated care. LLS invites you to visit its website www.LLS.org.
The Mark Foundation
The Mark Foundation was launched in 2017. Since then, the Foundation has granted over $90 million to fifty institutions in Europe, the U.K., and the United States. The Foundation invites you to visit its website www.themarkfoundation.org.
The Frontiers Group, Allen Institute
The Frontiers Group was founded by philanthropist Paul G. Allen in 2016. The Group offers funding in recognition of outstanding leadership and exceptional creativity. The Group invites you to visit its website allenfrontiersgroup.org.
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