Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization led exclusively by volunteers impacted by blood cancer. The Foundation is committed to curing lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma and to ensuring that Chicago area patients battling blood cancer have world-class physicians providing the best available treatments and have leading researchers developing more efficacious, less toxic treatments as they work to cure these diseases.
Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation is unique because of its commitment to the Chicagoland area and because of its partnership with the leading area medical research institutions. “We are fortunate to have some of the leading clinicians, researchers, and research institutions right here in the greater Chicagoland area such as Rush University Medical Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, and University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center," according to Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation co-founder Charlene McMann. Ms. McMann has been a leader on the front lines in the war against Cancer for years and received a Jefferson Award (the noble prize for public service) for her work in cancer fundraising, leadership, organizing, and promoting cancer awareness and education. She spearheaded a fundraising walk in Chicago that is now in more than 16 cities across the country.
Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation is organized so that donations have the maximum impact on curing blood cancer. “Chicagoeans are very generous and it is important for people to know that the money they donate goes toward curing cancer through cogent, cutting edge research, that it goes to these world-class Chicago area institutions where patients can turn for treatment, and that it does not get eaten up in administrative costs.” We will participate in a bike ride, fundraisers, and other activities to benefit blood cancer research. We will work collaboratively with other organizations as our mission is to cure blood cancer in all of its horrible manifestations and to help those impacted by the disease.
“Curing blood cancer requires the efforts of patients as well as clinicians and researchers,” says Dr. Stephanie A. Gregory, Director of the Sections of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation at Rush University Medical Center. “Having major research institutions working together and sharing information accelerates the pace of vital research and better treatment options. The Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation and the partnership among the area’s medical institutions are both unique and important,” she added.
Dr. Koen Van Besien, who heads the lymphoma program at the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, notes “this is an exciting time for blood cancer research. There have been so many important developments in the past five years and many promising projects that need to be funded. We are proud to be a part of this unique partnership with leading cancer advocates and researchers.”
Scott and Charlene "have demonstrated tremendous leadership, vision, and commitment to curing blood cancer. We are pleased to partner with the Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation and our colleagues at other major research institutions. Private sector funding is critical,” stated Dr. Leo Gordon, Director of the Lymphoma Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
