News Release

Arizona Myeloma Network presents 'Special Award' to TGen president

AzMN recognizes TGen's help in 'All Cancers' run and Navajo conference

Grant and Award Announcement

The Translational Genomics Research Institute

PHOENIX, Ariz. — July 1, 2010 — The Arizona Myeloma Network (AzMN) has presented a "Special Award" to Dr. Jeffrey Trent, President and Research Director of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

The award recognizes TGen's help in the 2nd annual Arizona Myeloma Network Race for Hope for All Cancers, a 5K run-walk fundraising event, held April 18 at Westgate City Center in Glendale.

In presenting the award, AzMN President and Founder Barbara Kavanagh also thanked Dr. Trent for TGen's involvement in the 3rd annual Fort Defiance Cancer Awareness and Advocacy Conference, held June 5 at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Ariz.

The plaque given to Dr. Trent reads: "We thank you and your researchers for your dedication to cancer patients and families in Arizona. Thank you also for your support of the Arizona Myeloma Network over the past five years."

Dr. Trent and Kavanagh praised the involvement in AzMN events by Dr. Bodour Salhia, a TGen breast cancer researcher who participated in the April 18 run and was one of the original organizers of the first Fort Defiance conference in 2008.

"It's great to have someone like Dr. Bodour Salhia to be able to interact on the patient-advocate side of our work with the Arizona Myeloma Network," said Dr. Trent. "I am very thankful and proud to receive this award from AzMN on behalf of TGen and especially on behalf of our community-involved researchers, like Dr. Salhia."

Kavanagh said Dr. Salhia was especially helpful in participating in the first blood cancer therapies seminar held during the Fort Defiance conference, co-sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Mayo Clinic, and the Arizona Cancer Coalition. "We were able to talk for the first time about clinical trials, and that is so important. There is a trust factor now, and the Navajo people themselves are saying they want help and want more information about cancer."

The "All Cancers" race event, Kavanagh added, has been beneficial to the many families who have been hit by multiple types of cancer, "and this event allows Arizonans to raise funds for all of them."

Dr. Salhia said it is extremely important for scientists to get involved with patient-advocacy organizations like AzMN. "For me personally, it makes the science that I do behind the bench very real and human. It is not only a constant reminder of the importance of our research, but for patient advocacy, it is a clear message of hope that can be provided from the scientist to the patient. People are always appreciative of that, and it is extremely fulfilling to be able to touch peoples' lives in that way."

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About the Arizona Myeloma Network

AzMN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides outreach and free education for myeloma cancer patients, their families and caregivers, with special consideration to underserved African Americans, Asian-Pacific, Hispanic and Native American communities. For more information, please visit the AzMN website: www.azmyelomanetwork.org.

About TGen

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.

Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
syozwiak@tgen.org


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