AzMN recognizes TGen's help in 'All Cancers' run and Navajo
conference
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.
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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
[email protected]
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