(Rye Brook, NY, October 10, 2018) –The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) continues to lead cutting-edge research to advance treatments for myeloma and lymphoma. Adding to the momentum, the organization today announced a $1,175,000 commitment by the Schwartz Ward Family Foundation (SWFF) of Chicago to support two unique research initiatives including a novel therapy for a rare form of lymphoma and an innovative immunotherapy approach for multiple myeloma.
These funds will support two grants in LLS’s prestigious Career Development Program (CDP) – offered to researchers early in their careers as incentive to encourage promising investigators to embark on scientific careers in the blood cancers. The two CDP grant recipients, both at City of Hope in Duarte, California, are:
Christiane Querfeld, M.D., Ph.D, who is investigating a novel therapy targeting the tumor microenvironment in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the skin. Approximately 40-60,000 Americans are living with this disease.
Jianhua Yu, M.D., who will investigate the use of CAR T-cell immunotherapy in myeloma, a blood cancer with more than 30,000 new cases each year.
Drs. Querfeld and Yu will be named “Schwartz Ward Family Foundation LLS Scholars.”
The Schwartz Ward Family Foundation is led by Ted Schwartz, founding principal of Schwartz Capital Group in Chicago, and his children, Tracy Ward and Todd Schwartz. Ted Schwartz became aware of LLS’s impact in blood cancer research through his friend, oncologist Steven Rosen, M.D., provost, chief scientific officer and director of the Irell & Manella Cancer Center at City of Hope National Medical Center. Dr. Rosen sits on the LLS Board of Directors.
“It is our hope that through our support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Career Development Program, this important research to be conducted by Drs. Querfeld and Yu will help lead to cures for these blood cancers and innovations in the blood cancer field that can inform cancer research across all forms,” said Schwartz.
“LLS’s research grants program is focused on identifying areas of critical unmet need and advancing the most cutting-edge research with the greatest promise of improving the lives of blood cancer patients,” said Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D., LLS president and chief executive officer. “We are grateful to the Schwartz Ward Family Foundation for its generous commitment to supporting this important research and helping us advance the work of today’s most talented young scientists.”
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to fighting blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. For additional information visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Contact:
Linda Heaney
914-821-8208