Cancer and Groundbreaking Research

The mission of the AACR is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration. Through its programs and services, the AACR fosters research in cancer and related biomedical science; accelerates the dissemination of new research findings among scientists and others dedicated to the conquest of cancer; promotes science education and training; and advances the understanding of cancer etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the world. Watch a video about the importance of basic science in cancer research: http://www.youtube.com/user/AACRNews#p/a/u/2/fPB0NrxJ1eo

The AACR is the authoritative source of information about advances in the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer, and publishes six peer-reviewed scientific journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research, as well as CR, a magazine for cancer survivors, patient advocates, their families, physicians and scientists.

Dynamic interactions and exciting science characterize all of the AACR’s meetings, conferences and educational workshops. The Annual Meeting, the largest of its kind in the world for cancer researchers, attracts more than 17,000 researchers from over 60 countries. In addition to the Annual Meeting, the AACR holds several large conferences that focus on the latest developments and advances in Molecular Diagnostics, Frontiers in Cancer Prevention, Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (joint meeting with EORTC and the NCI), Cancer Health Disparities, and Translational Cancer Medicine. Eight to 12 Special Conferences focus on emerging areas of cancer research each year. Similar conferences are held overseas in conjunction with international cancer research organizations. The AACR also conducts a unique series of educational workshops that offers young scientists the latest scientific information along with critical skills that include mentoring, networking and career development opportunities.

Watch a video about AACR meetings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxNa3_DEC5o&feature=player_embedded

Building upon the AACR’s longstanding commitment to fostering partnerships with survivor advocates—and to fulfill its goal of significantly expanding these relationships—the association’s Survivor and Patient Advocacy Program is dedicated to fostering mutually beneficial and enduring partnerships among leaders of the cancer survivor, patient advocacy and scientific communities. Additionally, the AACR’s office of Science Policy and Government Affairs advocates for strong federal research funding.

Cancer Research

In 1974, Nobel Laureate and MIT Professor, Salvador Luria, established the Center for Cancer Research, in order to properly study the genetic and molecular basis of cancer, the immune system’s ability to recognize antigens, and the cellular behavior during growth. In December 2010, Luria’s dream will reach heights, he could have never imagined, when the doors open to the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. An institute, which will stand as one of the SEVEN National Cancer Institute-designated basic research centers in the United States.

The Institute will house 11 core facilities in what is called the Swanson Biotechnology Center (or SBC), which will interact with a network of 90 biotechnology and bio pharmaceutical companies; along with Boston’s world class institutions, such as, Children’s Hospital Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Massachusetts General Hospital. Within the walls of the Institute, two dozen biologist and engineers, will be working together to advance the cause of cancer research. In conjunction with the faculty, the Institute will have 120 postdoctoral associates, 50 research scientists, 70 technical assistants, and over 200 graduates and undergraduates striving for the same goal.

The Institute will focus on five target areas, which are necessary for the rapid progress in cancer research; developing nanotechnolgy based theraputics, creating novel devices for cancer detection and monitoring, exploring the molecular and cellular basis of metastasis, establishing the relationship between cancer pathways and drug resistance, and engineering the immune system to properly fight cancer.

Through these forms of research, the Koch Institute, has contributed to incredible discoveries within the field of cancer research. Discoveries, such as, isolating the first human cancer genes, identifying the molecules that led to two of the first FDA-approved molecularly targeted anti cancer drugs, and developed novel materials for sustained delivery of anti-cancer drugs.

Since the early 70’s MIT, has contributed enormous discoveries to the cancer research field, their faculty has earned the most prestigious accolades in the national and international science fields. Currently, five members of faculty were awarded the Nobel Prize, 15 faculty are members of the National Academy of Sciences, two faculty are memebers of the National Academy of Engineering, six members of faculty have been awarded the National Medal of Science, and nine faculty members are Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators.

Along with being the epicenter of cancer research, The Institute, also holds the annual Summer Symposium. Next year, the Summer Symposium, will take place on June 10th and 11th; featuring four separate sessions. Each session will allow the public to converse and engage in a Q&A (question and answer) on four different topics (i.e. Cancer Immunology and Translation, Cellular Mechanisms of Tumorigensis, Detecting and Modeling Cancer, From Systems to Targets). If you are interested in information surrounding the Summer Symposium, or general information on The Institute; go to, http://web.mit.edu/ki/

Cancer Research

cancerresearch.org

The immune system is a unique biological system, which is designed to protect and prevent diseases, flues, and other infections. When an individual becomes afflicted with cancer, it is because the immune system has failed to identify and eliminate tumors. Unfortunately, 7 million people will lose this biological battle each year. But, what if we could build a stronger immune system?

The Cancer Research Institute is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the innovative scientific research of cancer immunology (the study of the immune system and its relationship to cancer). They fund and support scientists, internationally, who conduct discovery-driven laboratory and clinical research, in order to harness and establish a stronger immune system. Through CRI’s funding and support, scientists have been able to determine that the immune system can successfully destroy tumors. This discovery has enabled scientists to begin research on the next breakthrough: therapeutic immune-based cancer medicine. CRI not only funds and supports research, but they also hold annual events to spread the awareness and knowledge of cancer immunology as well as enlist the aid of supporters to help propel its unique research programs.

Every August, CRI holds the Young Philanthropists Midsummer Social in a premiere nightclub in Manhatten, NY. This event is directed towards young, charitable adults who are interested in getting involved in supporting the Institute’s work in immunology and cancer research. Last year, 320 young adults came out to support the cause, raising upwards of $25,000. In addition to the Midsummer Social the Institute also holds an annual fall golf outing.

The CRI also conducts a black tie Annual Awards Dinner in New York City.  Over 200 guests attend, to honor outstanding scientific acheivements and service within cancer research. This event alone raises between $750,000 and $1,250,000 dollars.

Along with all of these events, CRI announced the first year of Conquer the Canyon, an event in which individuals raise money to participate in a three-day excursion through the Grand Canyon. If you are interested in getting involved in next year‘s journey, or any of the other events, or would like to learn more about immunology, go to http://www.cancerresearch.org/ or email events@cancerresearch.org.

Blood Cancer

www.marrow.org

Every year, more than 10,000 Americans are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia or lymphoma, and their best or only hope of a cure is a transplant from an unrelated donor or cord blood unit. Most patients, about 70 percent, in need of a transplant do not have a matching donor in their family. Where can they turn? Be The Match.

Be The Match, a part of the non-profit the National Marrow Donor Program, raises awareness and establishes a network of donors through the Be The Match Registry. The registry is a system which matches patients to their prospective donors through Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing. This typing corresponds a series of data to determine a blood marrow and/or a cord blood match. Be The Match Registry currently has more than 7 million potential volunteer donors. This extensive network gives patients a 60 to 88 percent chance of finding a match. If you are interested in becoming a donor, and potentially saving a life, visit http://www.bethematch.org/join and sign up now.

Be The Match not only aids blood cancer patients with finding a donor, but events are also held nationally – ranging from auctions to walks – to raise awareness and money for blood cancer research, patient assistance funds and adding more people to the Be The Match Registry. If you are interested in getting involved with a local a event, visit http://www.bethematch.org/help.

Elizabeth Hurley

Breast Cancer Foundation

Each year The Breast Cancer Foundation hosts the “Hot Pink Party” in New York, New York and Boston, Massachusetts. This year, the festivities will be held on April 27, 2010 (New York, NY at The Waldorf=Astoria) and May 13, 2010 (Boston, MA at The Four Seasons Hotel). A cornerstone of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s fundraising is a result of the supporting stemming these spring benefits.

Each year, Elizabeth Hurley graciously hosts the New York benefit. Alongside a star studded crowd (previous attendees included makeup artist Bobbi Brown and actor Alan Cumming), the audience will be treated to a dazzling live performance by Elton John and/or a surprise musical guest. Last year’s New York event raised an astonishing $4 million dollars and the Foundation hopes to sustain that fundraising goal in 2010.

The Boston event is preceded by a symposium with a panel comprised of several BCRF-funded New England researchers. Attendees have an opportunity to learn the latest on breast cancer research. Last year, survivor and television journalist, Kelly Tuthill, hosted the Boston benefit, helping raise $490,000. The “Boston Humanitarian Award” is also presented to an individual for their outstanding philanthropic work. Last year’s recipient was Larry Lucchino, CEO of the Boston Red Sox.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research. To date, $255 million dollars has been raised. A minimum of 85 cents of each dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. The Foundation has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator, four stars, for eight consecutive years, which means BCRF has outperformed over 99% of more than 5,400 evaluated charities in efficiently managing its finances. Additionally, the Foundation received an “A+” rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy. These accolades makes them an incredible organization.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has recently gone public with his rare form of leukemia, a blood cancer known as chronic myelogenous leukemia.

For those who knew Abdul-Jabbar, it is not a surprise that the legend has already began to administer words of inspiration and advice.

“I’m doing very well,” he said. “But you have to find a specialist that understands your condition. You have to get your blood checked regularly. And you have to take your medication.  If you do that, you can manage this particular form of leukemia and live a very productive life with minimal intrusion into the things that you love to do,” he said.

He has become the spokesperson for the drug company that is treating his disease, urging people to go in for regular checkups and blood-work.

The cancer is indeed rare, with approximately 4,800 people diagnosed per year.  The survival rate for the first 5 years after diagnosis with a drug called imatinib sits at 89 percent.  Abdul-Jabbar is the spokesperson for Novartis, a pharmaceutical company that makes a proprietary form of imatib.

Abdul-Jabbar is 62-years-old, and has received news from his doctor that he will likely have the chance to live a full life.  He took inspiration from his ex-teammate Magic Johnson, who fought for HIV awareness after being diagnosed in 1991.

He also implored the U.S. government to take care of its less fortunate, who often cannot afford treatment.  With the new health bill in the works, Barack Obama’s reform just might take care of the demand.