March 6, 2007
Reaching for a Cure
Supporting Multiple Myeloma Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Support multiple myeloma research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with a night of dinner and dancing at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel on Friday, April 27.
The 'Reaching for a Cure' gala includes an auction and inspirational talk by cancer survivor and former U.S. vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro.
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer. About 50,000 people in the United States are living with the disease, including Paul Stepanian, 36, a financial planner, husband and father of two young children from Needham, Mass. He was diagnosed in January 2006 and is undergoing treatment at Dana-Farber. His family and friends created 'Reaching for a Cure' to help support multiple myeloma research and care.
"I don't mind going to Dana-Farber. Everyone from the office staff to my doctor and nurses have been terrific," says Stepanian. "Dana-Farber has proven to me that it's working with the most brilliant people to find cures for multiple myeloma, so I feel confident encouraging others to give funds right back to my team at the multiple myeloma center."
Dana-Farber multiple myeloma experts Ken Anderson, MD, director of the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, and Paul Richardson, MD, clinical director of the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, both treat Stepanian. At the 'Reaching for a Cure' gala they will speak about multiple myeloma treatment and research advances.
"Multiple myeloma patients show great courage in face of their disease, and the money raised at events like Reaching for a Cure helps fund research for new treatments, giving hope to patients," says Anderson. "Events like these also provide an important moment to acknowledge our patients, their families and the whole team of caregivers and researchers dedicated to their cause," adds Richardson.
Richardson and Anderson have been conducting many clinical trials and recently have found that a combination of the two new drugs bortezomib (Velcade®) and lenalidomide (Revlimid®) work better together than individually.
In addition, their dedicated team is studying a whole range of exciting new agents and combinations. The impact of these new therapies is dramatically improving the outlook for patients with this otherwise incurable disease. The benefits are being felt worldwide. Velcade by Millenium pharmaceuticals, which is a highly potent anti-myeloma drug, for example, was developed collaboratively with key leadership from Dana-Farber and is now approved for treatment in more than 80 countries.
The auction at the gala will help raise money critical for vital research. Some of the hot items include a week in Aruba at the Marriott, fine jewelry, sports packages and memorabilia, dinner for six prepared in your home by Chef Peter McCarthy of EVOO restaurant, and many other notable items.
Tickets cost $150. There is an open bar and silent auction from 7-8 p.m. Dinner, dancing and a live auction start at 8 p.m. and runs until midnight. For more information and to buy tickets go to www.reachingforacure.org or call Stephanie at 781-910-1213.
Contact
Elizabeth Chernack
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
(617) 632-4687
elizabeth_chernack@dfci.harvard.edu
Julie Stepanian event organizer 617-901-5586
