8th Annual Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Chicago Awards Dinner Raises $900,000 For Next-Generation Cancer Treatments

Main Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma
Article Date: 24 May 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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In celebration of scientific and business partnerships that have extended the lives of thousands of myeloma patients, the Eighth Annual Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) held its Chicago Awards Dinner on May 19th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Legendary football coach and ESPN analyst, Lou Holtz, was joined by Mistress of Ceremonies Bonnie Hunt and keynote speaker Dr. Mark Chelsky to celebrate with over 500 Chicago corporate business leaders in the quest for a cure for the deadly blood cancer.

"The MMRF has made great strides through many successful partnerships, but until there is a cure for myeloma, there is a critical need for new treatment options. This annual dinner is a way for the Chicago business community to celebrate the tremendous progress while also preparing for the next breakthrough treatment by raising significant funds," said actor, writer, producer and talk show host Bonnie Hunt, who formerly worked as an oncology nurse at Northwestern University.

According to Kathy Giusti, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the MMRF, and a 13-year multiple myeloma patient, "The Chicago Dinner helps us build on the momentum we've created alongside our partners to bring to market the current drug options which are now being explored in the treatment of 25 other cancers. Our focused collaborations are increasing the life expectancy for patients and reshaping the model for drug development in this country." While survival has doubled in recent years and there are new effective therapies available, multiple myeloma has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers.

Chicago land Vice Chairs for the gala awards dinner include AON; Katie and Mark Chelsky; The Damico Family Foundation; Jane and Bob DeBaun; Allison and Brian Feltzin; Becky and Lester Knight; Connie L. Lindsey and John M. Blackburn; McNamara Purcell Foundation; Sandy and Tom Mihelcic; James Moriarity - Morgan Stanley; Ronny Mosston - Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company; Barb and Dennis Quinn; J. Christopher Reyes - Reyes Holdings, LLC; Michael J. Sacks; Grosvenor Capital Management, L.P.; and Andrew Sawyer - Celgene Corporation.



Source
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation