New York, NY ... The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is pleased to announce that Leo I. Gordon, MD of Northwestern University and Thomas E. Witzig, MD of the Mayo Clinic have joined the Executive Commitee of LRF’s Mantle Cell Lymphoma Consortium (MCLC).
A member of LRF’s Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Gordon is the Abby and John Friend Professor of Cancer Research, a Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Lymphoma Program within the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Northwestern University School of Medicine. Additionally, he is co-chair of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Lymphoma Committee and is the former chair of the Oncological Sciences Study Section at the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Witzig is a Professor of Medicine, co-leader of the Hematologic Malignancies Program and chair of the Division of Hematology Research at the Mayo Clinic. He was also recently elected to LRF’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
At the annual Mantle Cell Lymphoma Scientific Workshop held in Atlanta, GA in March, MCLC Chair, Michael E. Williams, MD, Director of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, warmly and enthusiastically welcomed Drs. Gordon and Witzig. “With their extensive breadth of knowledge and expertise, Drs. Gordon and Witzig are invaluable additions to the Executive Committee. We are fortunate to have such outstanding leaders at the helm of our Consortium.”
On behalf of the Executive Committee and the entire Consortium, Dr. Williams also thanked the two Executive Committee members who were stepping down -- Joseph M. Connors, MD, FRCPC, of the British Columbia Cancer Agency, and Owen A. O’Connor, MD, PhD, of Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center. “The work of this Consortium has been enriched by the involvment, counsel, experience and devotion of Drs. Connors and O’Connor. Although they are completing their terms on the Executive Committee, they will remain active and highly valued members of the Consortium.”
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare but agressive form of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Recognizing that MCL patients and their families had not received as much research attention as other areas of lymhoma, LRF instituted the MCL Initiative in 2003. To date, over $20 million dollars has been awarded to support over 35 research grants in the United States, Canada and Europe.
About the Mantle Cell Lymphoma Consortium (MCLC)
Established by LRF in January 2005, the MCLC is comprised of more than 100 laboratory and clinical scientists from North America and Europe who focus their research on mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The Consortium is designed to accelerate the understanding and treatment of MCL by bringing together these lead investigators, funding innovative studies and creating important resources such as the MCL website and cell bank.
About the Lymphoma Research Foundation
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation's largest voluntary health organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and healthcare professionals with critical information on the disease. LRF's mission is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease.
More than 85 cents of every dollar spent goes to research and programming. As of the close of FY 2007, LRF has funded over $35 million in lymphoma-specific research. LRF also provides a comprehensive series of programs and services for patients, survivors and loved ones affected by lymphoma, including our toll-free Lymphoma Helpline and Clinical Trials Information Service, in-person patient education programs, web casts/teleconferences and support services.
For more information, visit www.lymphoma.org
