Brooks Awarded $100,000 from Concern Foundation
Concern Foundation, a 30-year-old independent organization funding cancer research worldwide, awarded $100,000 to Peter Brooks, Ph.D., to help further his research in angiogenesis. Brooks was one of 24 grant recipients selected from a field of hundreds of applicants.
Brooks' research was analyzed by Concern Foundation's Scientific Review Committee, which consists of well-known physicians and scientists from across the globe, including Amy Lee, Ph.D., director of basic research at the USC/Norris. Brooks' two-year funded grant will focus on developing novel therapies to block the growth of blood vessels in malignant tumors.
ARCS Funds Two Scholars
USC/Norris' Robert B. Tracy, Ph.D., recipient of the John H. Richardson/Margaret Kersten Ponty Endowed Fellowship award of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation (ARCS), was among honorees at a luncheon hosted by the foundation's Los Angeles Chapter. The foundation provides scholarship funds to outstanding academic achievers in the fields of medicine, engineering and the natural sciences.
ARCS member Barbara Knight created the fellowship in memory of her husband and her best friend. Tracy is a pathologist working at understanding chromosomal translocations and how they give rise to lymphomas and other types of cancer.
In addition, ARCS will continue to fund last year's recipient, Stephen L. Rawlings, M.D., who is in the division of bone marrow transplant and research immunology at USC/Norris and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Rawlings' research focuses on development of genetically engineered T-cells to combat cancer.
Making A Healthy Difference
Jim Ellison, owner and CEO of Sierra Concepts Corporation, believes all people have the power to make a healthy difference in their lives. With this philosophy in mind, his corporation began a relationship with the USC/Norris, providing more than $43,000 in support while informing the company's employees about the latest cancer research programs.
In a continuation of the commitment to USC/Norris, Sierra Concepts hosted a lunch and a "Family to Family" health education event for its employees. The program featured two USC/Norris speakers:
Christy Russell, M.D., associate professor and co-director of the Harold E. and Henrietta C. Lee Breast Center, who described treatment options for early and advanced stages of breast cancer;
Ite Laird, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry and microbiology, spoke about her research in lung cancer.
San Pedro Guild Event
The San Pedro Peninsula Cancer Guild hosted its annual event, "An Affaire to Remember," on Nov. 8 at the Long Beach Hilton hotel. Guests were able to purchase a wide variety of handmade gifts and holiday items. The Citrus Singers presented a medley of holiday songs. Janet Fogel, Guild president, also introduced Tawny Little, UPN News Channel 13 anchor and former Miss America. The event, co-chaired by Kathy DiBernardo and Phyllis Trujillo, is the Guild's major fundraising project. Proceeds support gastrointestinal cancer research at USC/Norris.
The USC/Norris Commprehensive Cancer Center welcomes your support. For more information call (323) 865-0700.