Annals of Lymphoma forms partnership with lymphoma research foundation

In 2011, the U.S. Congress declared the month of September to be Blood Cancer Awareness Month. The designation was intended to bring much-deserved attention to the needs of patients and for increased investment in biomedical research. Since that time, more than a half million Americans have received a lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) diagnosis. And despite numerous programs intended to accelerate the pace of cancer research, the need for new resources to support blood cancer research has never been greater.

For those who have dedicated their lives to the study of lymphoma or to advocating on behalf of patients, we understand that we must continually innovate to develop new therapies and treat patients—not just their disease. This commitment demands a collaborative approach to address the evolving needs of the lymphoma community, inspiring new partnerships throughout our field.

In this spirit, we are pleased to announce a new partnership between Annals of Lymphoma and the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF), the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services. This unique affiliation between a premier lymphoma journal and leading patient advocacy and research foundation underscores the importance of pursuing a patient-centered approach to research, whilst disseminating information on important advances to the scientific community.

This patient-first focus is central to the foundation’s mission to eradicate lymphoma and serve all those impacted by a lymphoma diagnosis. To date, LRF has awarded nearly $60 million in lymphoma-specific research and our unique focus on young investigators has enabled countless early-career scientists to maintain their interest in the study of hematological malignancies, many of whom will most certainly secure headlines in the Annals of Lymphoma in the years to come.

As it is now Blood Cancer Awareness Month, we could not think of better timing to announce our collaboration. Throughout the month of September, a variety of programs across the nation and the globe will raise awareness of the disease and the progress being made by lymphoma investigators. The Foundation’s efforts will culminate in LRF’s signature Light it Red for Lymphoma event on September 15, World Lymphoma Awareness Day, during which more than 100 buildings and landmarks across the world will light red in a global show of support for the lymphoma community. To learn how you or your institution can raise awareness by lighting red, visit www.lymphoma.org/LightItRed.

As the premier source of information surrounding the latest developments in the field of blood cancer research, we are honored to partner with Annals of Lymphoma not only during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, but throughout the year. Through this partnership, we aim to establish more direct lines of communication between the patient and research communities, a connection which will serve to strengthen the entire lymphoma community for the benefit of all.

Acknowledgments

Funding: None.

Footnote

Provenance and Peer Review: This article was commissioned by the editorial office, Annals of Lymphoma. The article did not undergo external peer review.

Conflicts of Interest: Both authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/aol.2017.08.02). BDC serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Lymphoma. MG has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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