The McCarty Cancer Foundation has presented a $25,000 grant to Jeffrey Zonder, M.D., of the Wayne State University Physician Group.
The award supports Dr. Zonder's multi-center clinical research projects, coordinated by the Multiple Myeloma Research Program at Karmanos Cancer Center. Since 2005, the program has received approximately $232,000 from the McCarty Cancer Foundation. McCarty Cancer Foundation funds were instrumental in providing seed money for the program, which has become one of the most active clinical programs of its kind in the Midwest. That funding also has allowed the program to secure federal grant monies and pharmaceutical contracts.
"We appreciate the McCarty Foundation's continued support of this research initiative," said Dr. Zonder, an associate professor of Medicine and Oncolgy for the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Karmanos Cancer Center. "Foundation funds have allowed us to not only establish the infrastructure necessary to coordinate complex, multi-center research in myeloma and related conditions, but to expand our work with research partners around the country."
Collaborators include regional and national research leaders such Henry Ford Hospital, Providence Hospital, the Van Andel Research Institute, the University of Pittsburgh, Duke University, Boston University and the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Denver.
"Together, we are making great strides in the treatment and understanding of myeloma and the rarer related condition, amyloidosis," Dr. Zonder said.
An initial national study exploring a new therapy for amyloidosis has led to exciting projects, said Silva Lalo Pregja, program coordinator for Karmanos' Myeloma Research Program. Karmanos is taking part in a myeloma research project coordinated by the University of Pittsburgh and Duke University, two of the sites Karmanos recruited to work with on the project. Karmanos also is in the planning stages of a second, larger multi-center amyloidosis study involving the current centers and other organizations.
"We formed this network of collaborating institutions with one goal, and that's to conduct meaningful scientific trials no single center could carry out alone," Pregja said.
The McCarty Cancer Foundation was established in 1997 by National Hockey League star Darren McCarty and was created as a Father's Day gift to his father, Craig, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. It is headed by Craig's wife, Roberta McCarty, who serves as president. Although Craig McCarty lost his battle in 1999, the foundation continues in his memory and is dedicated to raising awareness of multiple myeloma and improving the quality of life for those afflicted with the disease by funding myeloma research.