McCarty Cancer Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant for Myeloma Research Program at Karmanos Cancer Institute

DETROIT, April 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The McCarty Cancer Foundation has awarded Jeffrey Zonder, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine and Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine, a $50,000 grant for the multi-center Multiple Myeloma Clinical Research Initiative coordinated by Karmanos. This first-of-its-kind program, initiated by Dr. Zonder, is a collaboration with other cancer centers, locally and nationally, to increase the accessibility of new and novel therapies for patients with multiple myeloma and related conditions.

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Roberta McCarty, president of the McCarty Cancer Foundation awarded Dr. Zonder the $50,000 grant in support of the Myeloma Research Program.

McCarty stated, "We are grateful to Dr. Zonder and his team for their commitment and dedication to multiple myeloma research, and to the Karmanos Cancer Institute for its commitment to a future free of cancer."

Michigan health centers participating in this research in addition to the Karmanos Cancer Institute include: Henry Ford Hospital, Sparrow Hospital, Providence Hospital and the Van Andel Research Institute. Nationally, Duke University, Ohio State University, Emory Winship Cancer Institute, the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Pittsburgh have also joined the project to date.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow involving malignant plasma cells. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be approximately 19,920 new cases of multiple myeloma in the United States in 2008. Of these, about 11,190 will be in men and about 8,730 in women. About 10,690 Americans are expected to die of multiple myeloma in 2008. Additionally, a smaller number of people are affected by related diseases, such as amyloidosis.

"The generous grant from the McCarty Cancer Foundation not only provided a jump-start to this exciting initiative, but it will undoubtedly lead to future multi-center trials, capitalizing on the infrastructure and inter-institutional relationships we are building in order to enhance research for this disease," said Dr. Zonder.

The Karmanos Myeloma Program has received a total of $175,000 in support from the McCarty Cancer Foundation since 2005. These funds also helped support the First Great Lakes Myeloma Symposium hosted by Karmanos in 2006. The symposium brought together renowned experts from across the country to present the latest information on myeloma treatment and research to clinicians in Michigan.

The McCarty Cancer Foundation was established in 1997 by NHL star Darren McCarty as a Father's Day gift to his dad Craig who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Although Craig McCarty lost his battle in 1999, the McCarty Cancer Foundation continues in his memory, dedicated to raising awareness of multiple myeloma and improving the quality of life for those afflicted with this disease by funding myeloma research.

For more information on myeloma or other cancers, call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to www.karmanos.org.

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of 39 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for more than 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $216 million, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, the Karmanos Cancer Institute is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 faculty members, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, the Institute strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer.

SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute