The LLS Blog

MLB All-Star Player Designs Caps to Benefit LLS

By LLS Staffer | August, 2016

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) hit a homerun when the Washington Nationals outfielder, Bryce Harper announced LLS will be a beneficiary of his limited edition, custom-designed baseball caps.
 
Known for extraordinary talents in the outfield, Bryce’s talent as a hat designer is now getting recognition: He helped design the New Era caps which went on sale Wednesday, August 24.

Since 2013, Harper has supported LLS through Harper’s Heroes, a program for kids battling blood cancers. Harper hosts patients and survivors at Nationals Park for a fun-filled day.  As guests of the 2015 National League MVP, families have the opportunity to watch the Nationals take batting practice and ask questions during a private meet and greet with Bryce.  Afterward families enjoy watching the Washington Nationals from the outfield, right behind the All-Star.

“I’m really hoping these hats sell and shed some light on a good cause,” Harper said in a USA Today article, National of Harper Designs Cap to Raise Money for Charity, 8.23. “I wanted it to be an old-style cap, kind of like the old L.A. Dodgers hat and the old New York Yankees hat that celebrities wear. I wanted it to be super simple with the Harper’s Heroes logo on it.”

The Harper’s Heroes cap was unveiled at a news conference at Nationals Park. Harper encouraged fans to support the cause. “It’s something I hope everybody goes out and buys – not just to support Harper’s Heroes but for cancer research,” he said. “That’s something very big to me.”

Fans can purchase the New Era MLB Harper’s Heroes 9TWENTY Cap and accompanying beanie knit exclusively at the New Era Store, Main Team Store and 5th & Ocean by New Era Boutique at Nationals Park, as well as on NewEraCap.com and MLBShop.com. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!

Researcher Q&A: Christopher Cogle, M.D., University of Florida

By Andrea Greif | August, 2016

Christopher Cogle, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of Florida, Pierre Chagnon Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Bone Marrow Transplant, is the recipient of an LLS Scholar in Clinical Research grant through our Career Development Program. He also has a project supported through LLS’s Therapy Acceleration Program. Dr. Cogle explains his work advancing an investigational approach to treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. 

Advancing a Treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By Andrea Greif | August, 2016

In April we featured a Q&A in this blog with LLS-funded researcher Anthony Letai, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who discussed in his work leading to clinical trials of a drug called venetoclax (Venclexta ®) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The drug was FDA approved in April for a high-risk form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). AML is a deadly blood cancer that has seen no change in the standard of care in 40 years. More than 20,000 people a year are diagnosed with AML, and 10,000 will die. 

Venetoclax is now one of many investigational drugs in the pipeline being tested to target one multiple genetic mutations that drive AML. Letai, an associate professor in medicine, has been the recipient of several LLS grants in recent years.

This week, results from a Phase II study led by Letai investigating venetoclax as a single agent in AML patients, appeared in Cancer Discovery, a prestigious peer-reviewed journal put out by American Association of Clinical Research (AACR). The study demonstrated an overall response rate of 19% with a tolerable safety profile for patients with relapsed/refractory (AML) or those with AML who were unfit for intensive chemotherapy.

LLS is credited as a supporter of the work in the journal.