Inspirations Volume 22 - Gabrielle`s Angel Foundation

inspirations 2013
SUMMER
volume 22
a n e w s l e t t e r f r o m g a b r i e l l e ’ s a n g e l f o u n d at i o n f o r c a n c e r r e s e a r c h
HELP US
ON OUR QUEST.
HELP US
FUND A CURE.
in this issue:
Save the Date for Angel Ball, October 29 page 3
Gabrielle’s Gala Raises Nearly £600,000 pages 4-6
DC Art Initiative a Hit on the Red Carpet page 2
Foundation
Funds Over
$2.3 Million
in Grants
Thanks to the success of last year’s
Angel Ball gala, Gabrielle’s Angel
Foundation announced an impressive
new round of grants totaling over $2.3
million. Of the 52 hopeful applicants
who applied for the Foundation’s
three-year Medical Research Awards,
7 were selected for their innovative
scientific proposals (see above).
These grants represent a commitment
of $75,000 per year for three years
totaling $225,000 each. Several of
these grants were made possible
through generous gifts from The
Levin Family Foundation, Johnny Lin
& Filmula, and The Mark Paul Terk
Charitable Trust.
An additional 9 awards in the amount
of $25,000 each were disbursed to
junior investigators hand-picked
by our top-notch Medical Advisory
Board for research projects to be
conducted within one year. The
Foundation also expanded its support
of music therapy to include funding
for programs at Children’s Hospital
Boston, Cleveland’s Seidman Cancer
Center, and the University of Maryland
School of Medicine’s Greenebaum
Cancer Center. The Foundation
also pledged its ongoing support
of the music therapy programs at
Children’s National Medical Center
Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation
14 Penn Plaza
Suite 1704
New York, NY 10122-1790
t. 646.861.2033
f. 646.781.9355
gabriellesangels.org
gabriellesangels.co.uk
in Washington, D.C. and New York’s
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center. Additional funding for
select other grants was awarded
to the Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Foundation, the Federation of
American Societies for Experimental
Biology’s (FASEB) Myeloid Conference,
and Columbia University’s Bone
Marrow Transplant program.
Recipients of the three-year Medical Research
Awards, left to right: Boyi Gan, Ph.D., M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center; Evripidis Gavathiotis,
Ph.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine;
Alejandro Gutierrez, M.D., Children’s Hospital
Boston; Qing Li, M.D., Ph.D., Regents of the
University of Michigan; Daniel Starczynowski,
Ph.D., Cincinnati Children’s Hospital;
Jeffrey W. Tyner, Ph.D., Oregon Health &
Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute;
Matthew J. Walter, M.D., Washington
University, St. Louis.
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who we are
Board of Directors
Loreen Arbus
Loreen Arbus Productions, Inc.
Deborah Dunsire, M.D.
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Star Jones
Television Personality, Author & Attorney
Eric S. Lerner
Attorney
Brooke Milstein
Lawyer & Vice Chairman, Northfield Park Race Track
Patricia Quick
Philanthropist
Thomas C. Quick
First Palm Beach Properties, Inc.
Frank Rella
Trine Corporation
Michèle Rella
Director
Daniella Rich Kilstock
Director
Denise Rich
President & Co-Founder
Ilona Rich Schachter
Director
Paul Schindler, Esq.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Art Initiative Hits Red Carpet
Denise Rich Daniella Rich Kilstock Ilona Rich Schachter
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Request that you
In January, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation visited Children’s National Medical
Center in Washington D.C. to help their littlest angels discover their creative
side. Foundation Board Member and celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz
brought members of her team for an inspirational day of jewelry making with
five very special children. The participants, patients and their siblings
ranging in age from 6 to 15, created one-of-a-kind pieces with gems donated
by Lorraine. These unique designs were then manufactured by Lorraine’s
team of professionals and worn at the February 10th GRAMMY® Awards!
The night’s biggest stars donned the children’s designs: Miley Cyrus wore
Sammie’s bracelet to the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy party, Pharrell sported
Serena’s design and mentioned her on the E! Red Carpet, Taylor Swift wore
Jaimin’s design, Beyoncé sported Jozlyn’s jewels, and Katy Perry wore
Arabelle’s ring to the GRAMMY® after-party! These one-of-a-kind pieces will
be auctioned off and 100% of the proceeds will fund a grant to provide similar
art therapy programs at Children’s National through a partnership with the
Foundation. Lorraine, along with her siblings Ilan and Ofira Sandberg (also a
jeweler) felt a special connection to this project as they had created designs
with their mother, Shulamit, when she was in treatment for lung cancer.
Their charity, the Shulamit’s Hope Foundation, was created in her memory.
Special thanks to Lorraine, Ilan, Ofira, Justin, Mario and the entire Children’s
National team for bringing such joy to these deserving young angels.
Save the Date October 29, 2013
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The Angel Ball
In Memory of Gabrielle Rich Aouad
Lorraine E. Schwartz
Lorraine E. Schwartz, Inc.
A Gala to Benefit Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research
Erin Zammett Ruddy
Author & Columnist
Honoring
Stephen D. Nimer, M.D.—Chairman
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Barrie R. Cassileth, Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
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Curt I. Civin, M.D.
University of Maryland School of Medicine
James R. Downing, M.D.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Carl H. June, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Jerome E. Groopman, M.D.
Harvard Institute of Medicine
Janet D. Rowley, M.D., D.Sc.
The University of Chicago
Rainer Storb, M.D.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Jeffrey D. White, M.D.
Bethesda, Maryland
Cheryl L. Willman, M.D.
University of New Mexico Cancer Research &
Treatment Center
Angel Ambassadors
Alan Cumming
Estelle
Suleika Jaouad
Ethan Zohn
Foundation
Jennifer Ranieri
Christa Justus
Inspirations is written and
edited by Christa Justus
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Photos: Courtesy Children’s National Medical Center
Medical Advisory Board
1) Lorraine explains the various gems 2) Proud designer, Jaimin K. 3) 12 y.o. Jozlyn had a ball
4) Sammi’s beautiful earrings 5) Katy Perry wears Arabelle’s ring 6) The whole team!
SHAPE’s April
cover story
featured reigning
pop diva, Beyoncé
and included
a feature for
Gabrielle’s Angel
Foundation
and the DC
Children’s Art
Initiative too!
Here, the
inset as seen in
SHAPE—April
2013, Volume 32,
Number 27.
Simon de Pury Chairman, de Pury de Pury
Fay Duncan President, Fight Cancer Foundation, Australia
Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D. Co-Founder, President & CEO, Seattle Genetics
Dinner Chairs
Hugh Jackman & Deborra-lee Furness
Gala Chair
Michèle Rella
Co-Chairs
Loreen Arbus Hélène Benhamou Caroline Berthet Missy Bridgers Dori Cooperman Bonnie Pfeifer Evans
Maria Theresa Fauci Fran Glasenberg Michele Herbert Victoria Hunter Pamela Johananoff Candy Kern
Emel Kiral Louise Kornfeld Heather McDowell Levin Allison Lutnick Danielle Merollo
Brooke Milstein Annabella Murphy Laura Nicklas Camilla Olsson Cynthia Ott Donna Poyiadjis
Alisa Roever Nancy Rogers Beth Rosenthal Inga Rubenstein Charlene Sacks Catherine Saxton
Lesley Schulhof Felicia Taylor Marcy Warren Lara Stolman Watzky Adriana Weiss
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Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Cipriani Wall Street, New York City
Tables are available at $100,000, $50,000, $25,000 and $15,000. Tickets start at $1,500. Our last gala was sold-out. For more information or to
place your reservations in advance, contact Inez Weinstein Special Events, Inc. at 212 254 6677 or [email protected].
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gabriellesangels.org
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Gabrielle’s Gala UK 2013
Second Annual Gabrielle’s Gala
Hits London, Raises Nearly £600,000
On Thursday, May 2nd all of London turned out to
help our sister chapter raise nearly £600,000 for
cancer research. On a perfect spring day, Gabrielle’s
Gala returned once more to the iconic Battersea
Power Station and transformed the landmark building
into an enchanted secret garden. The second annual
event was generously sponsored by celebrity jeweler
Lorraine Schwartz who also donated a stunning piece
to the evening’s Live Auction.
Co-Founder Denise Rich welcomed the 400-plus
crowd which included some of London’s starriest
A-listers including: Bill Nighy, tennis legend
Boris Becker, Camilla Rutherford, Dionne Bromfield,
Jamelia, “Mr. Selfridge” Jeremy Piven, Jessica Lowndes, Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” star Noomi
Rapace, Patsy Kensit, Rhys Ifans, and “The Dark Knight Rises” star Tom Hardy. Scottish teen sensation Tallia Storm kicked off the
night’s performances with her soulful sound and Miel de Botton (above right), a dear friend of Gabrielle’s, sang two of her own
compositions, one especially for Gabrielle. Guests were moved by the personal stories of survival by Angel Ambassadors Suleika
Jaouad and Ethan Zohn. After dinner and a rousing auction conducted by the inimitable Simon de Pury, guests were up on their feet
for the main event, a headline performance by Brit pop powerhouse, Jessie J (above left).
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The décor brought a verdant garden indoors complete with trees, benches, grass and flowers while the outside deck featured
fun pop-up additions for guests such as Wahaca Mexican Market, a Pimm’s drink cart, and a Megabooth taxi-turned-photo-booth.
Guests sipped specialty cocktails by U’Luvka Vodka and DJ Sam Young kept them out on the white starlit dance floor till night’s end.
Gabrielle’s Gala could not have happened without the hard work and commitment of our band of behind-the-scene ‘angels.’ The
Foundation extends special thanks to our UK committee members, the entire team at Total Management and Halpern PR for all
they did to make this night such a wonderful success. To date, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation UK has funded blood cancer research
initiatives through Cancer Research UK and provided support for additional programs at the Great Ormond Street Hospital and
UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre. Proceeds from this year’s event will provide additional funding for leukemia and lymphoma research
in the United Kingdom.
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In Grateful Appreciation...
Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation UK extends its deep appreciation to the following for their generous support of Gabrielle’s Gala!
:
GIF TB AG S 59 Strings • B London Boutique Ltd. • Byron Bay Cookies • Compeed • DERMATOLOGICA (UK) LTD. • Elemis •
HB Interior, Hélène Benhamou • Hotel Chocolat • Jimmie Martin Ltd. • Interior Studios London Ltd. • Lena White ltd., exclusive
distributor of OPI • Lucy Doughty, Lipsmart • Morton’s Club • onefinestay • The Pure Package, the experts in healthy food delivery
• Violent Lips, LLC • Voss Water • L I V E AUC TIO N Simon & Michaela de Pury • Dame Zaha Hadid, Zaha Hadid Architects •
Kenny Schachter • Lorraine E. Schwartz, Inc. • Lucy Doughty • Natasha Thomas and Total Management • Nathalie Dauriac-Stoebe,
Signia Wealth • SILENT/O NL INE AUC TIO N 59 Strings • Agnès Wyler, Visual Artist, Zurich Switzerland • Aston Martin •
Barnes • Beena & Pradeep Menon • Benedict & Company • Boden • Bottletop at 59 Strings • British Film Institute, Joyce Rueben •
Christopher Hodsoll Ltd • Di Modolo • Domingo Zapata • Elite Island Resorts • Fish Market • Brad Fisher • George Michael and
Caroline True • Hallie Hart • Hawksmoor Gift Certificate • HB Interior, Hélène Benhamou • Katherine Hooker London • Hotel Verta •
Hugo Dalton • IG Wines • Jimmie Martin Ltd • Julien Macdonald • Körner Skincare • Ling Jian/Fabin Fryns Fine Art • Locanda
Locatelli Restaurant • Lucy Doughty • Luna Sky at 59 Strings • Marbella Club Hotel • Melissa Odabash • Morgan Bay Beach Resort
• Morton’s Club • Gregor Muir • MYLA • Neville’s • onefinestay • Pamela Johananoff • Paul Carrack • Rachel Whittingham • Ronit
Capital L.L.P. • Romero Britto • Salsali Private Museum • Ramin Salsali • Stoke Park • Stuart Semple • Susan White & Robert Clift
• Swarovski • Tessa Hartman • The Arts Club • The Blavatnik Family Foundation and the Grand-Hotel Du Cap-Ferrat • The Langham
Hotel • The St. Regis New York • The Vineyard • Total Management • Victoria’s Secret • THE TERR AC E & D RINK SP O NS O R S
Heineken • Lauren Perrier • Kopparberg • Megabooth Ltd. • Scrumptious Events • Sweet Arrangements • U’Luvka Vodka • Voss
Water • Wahaca—Mexican Market Eating • Ideas Box • C EL EB RIT Y TR A NSP OR TATIO N Audi
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Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation UK is a Registered Charity No. 1144860. For more information, visit gabriellesangels.co.uk
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Photos: Dave M. Benett
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1) Philip Aouad, Denise Rich, Peter Cervinka
2) Bill Nighy on the red carpet
3) Angel Ambassadors Suleika Jaouad & Ethan Zohn
4) Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes & guest
5) Denise Rich with Gala Sponsor Lorraine Schwartz
6) Kenny Schachter & rock legend Bill Wyman
7) Tina Hobley & PR guru Jenny Halpern
8) Bip Ling works the red carpet
9) Nathalie Dauriac Stoebe with Claire & John Caudwell
10) Denise Rich with teen singer Tallia Storm
11) Canadian actress Jessica Lowndes
12) Drink cart serves British favorite, Pimm’s
13) Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York & her daughter, Princess Beatrice
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NY1 Features Foundation in Memorial Day Airing
Gabrielle’s Gala UK 2013
On Memorial Day 2013, New York City cable channel NY1 featured a piece on Angel Ambassador Suleika Jaouad and former
Foundation grantee Dr. Shari Goldfarb of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Health Reporter Erin Billups’ piece centered
on the sexual health and reproductive issues that many cancer patients face. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia just out
of college, Suleika shared her personal experience with these issues. “With losing my hair and dealing with infertility and early
menopause, I somehow started to feel less womanly, less attractive, less like myself,” Jaouad admitted. Dr. Goldfarb’s research
documents the impact of cancer treatment on reproductive and sexual health in young women treated for lymphoma, leukemia
and breast cancers. “There is a big taboo and I think that it’s very difficult for many clinicians to bring up sexual function,” says
Goldfarb. This fall, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation will host a special panel discussion on these topics to inform patients and their
health care providers, and to encourage that these discussions become standard procedure. Suleika chronicles her experience
as a cancer survivor in her New York Times Well blog and video series, “Life, Interrupted.”
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Angel Ambassador
Suleika Jaouad
Nominated for 2013
Webby Award
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Photo: Dave M. Benett
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Angel Ambassador Suleika Jaouad was nominated for a 2013
Webby Award in the Online Film & Video’s Reality category.
The video series offers an intimate portrait of Suleika’s life
as a young adult with cancer, part of her acclaimed New York
Times Well blog, “Life, Interrupted.” The Webby Awards,
established in 1996, honor excellence on the internet, “the
best of the web.” Other Webby Award categories include
Websites, Interactive Advertising & Media, Mobile & Apps
and Social. Congratulations, Suleika!
Suleika Jaouad at Gabrielle’s Gala 2013
Young Adults With Cancer
Discover Their True North
True North Treks believes that communing with nature is good medicine.
This 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded in 2009 by David Victorson, Ph.D.
of Northwestern University’s Department of Medical Social Sciences,
supports young adult cancer survivors by taking them on free short term
nature treks that focus on learning mindful awareness practices and
connecting with other young adult survivors.
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14) Auctioneer Simon de Pury & his wife, Michaela
15) “Mr. Selfridge” himself, Jeremy Piven
16) Denise Rich & her daughter, Ilona Rich Schachter
17) Heather Kerzner & friend
18) Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece & Princess Marie-Chantal Miller
19) Margo Stilley & friend with members of Blake
20) Silver screen stars Noomi Rapace & Tom Hardy
21) Jamelia, Alexandra Burke & Dionne Bromfield
22) Committee Member Lucy Daughty & friend
23) Pia Getty enjoys the festivities
24) Lisa Tchenguiz & Steve Varsano pose for the paparazzi
25) Boris Becker & his wife, Sharlely Kerssenberg
26) The ever-lovely Caroline Stanbury
Photos: Dave M. Benett, Dominic O’Neil
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A member of the Critical Mass Young Adult Alliance, True North Treks focuses on the important journey and transition from
patient to survivor. Many important aspects of their lives such as relationships, educational plans, and career goals have
been upended by their cancer diagnosis. Young adults just finishing treatments must not only deal with these life changes,
but also with treatment-related side effects that can last for years. Since their inaugural trek in 2010, Dr. Victorson and
his team continue to grow their mission by showing young adult cancer survivors that deep connections to nature, other
survivors, and themselves can provide a powerful compass and help forge a new pathway beyond their disease.
Upcoming treks in 2013 still accepting applications include a Northwest Montana Hiking Trek in August, an Upper Missouri
River Montana Canoeing Trek in September, and a Green River Utah Canoeing Trek in October. For more information, please
visit truenorthtreks.org or email: [email protected]
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Foundation Rings Opening Bell
MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD NEWS
• On May 17th, Janet Davison Rowley, M.D., D.Sc., the Blum Riese Distinguished Service
Professor of Medicine, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology and Human Genetics at
The University of Chicago, was awarded the prestigious Albany Medical Center Prize in
Medicine and Biomedical Research. One of the largest prizes in medicine and science in
the United States, Dr. Rowley was recognized for her pioneering research in chromosomal
translocations in blood cancers. As stated on the Albany Medical College website,
Dr. Rowley is “internationally renowned for her studies of chromosome abnormalities in
human leukemia and lymphoma, which have led to cures for previously untreatable
cancers and the development of targeted therapies such as Imatinib (Gleevec) for CML.”
Hailed by the New York Times as the “Matriarch of Modern Cancer Genetics,” Dr. Rowley
was also inducted as a member of the first class of American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR) Academy Fellows in April. According to the AACR website, the Academy
was “created to recognize and honor distinguished scientists whose major scientific
contributions have propelled significant innovation and progress against cancer.”
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On Monday, February 25, 2013, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research
started the week off right by ringing the opening bell at NASDAQ. David Wicks,
Vice President of the NASDAQ OMX Group, welcomed the crowd and spoke briefly
about the important research being funded by Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation. Angel
Ambassadors Ethan Zohn and Suleika Jaouad were on hand to do the honors.
Broadcast live on national outlets, they were joined by Medical Advisory Board
member Barrie R. Cassileth, Ph.D. of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and
grantees Karen Popkin and Dr. Andrea Ventura. The Foundation’s young professional
supporters also attended to promote their Millennial Ball 2.0 slated for June 18th.
Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation and Co-Founder Denise Rich previously rang the
NASDAQ closing bell in September 2006 in honor of Leukemia & Lymphoma
Awareness Month. Special thanks to Louie Torrellas of Ambitious Media and Michelle
Diaz of The Mad Media Group for their help in making this unique event happen!
1) Michelle Diaz, Ethan Zohn, Suleika Jaouad, & Louie Torrellas 2) Ringing the opening bell
• On June 12th, the Baltimore Jewish Community Center inducted Curt I. Civin, M.D. of the
University of Maryland School of Medicine, into the 2013 Class of the Maryland Jewish
Hall of Fame. Dr. Civin, the Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Center for Stem
Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, was honored for his pioneering work in cancer
research. His 1984 groundbreaking scientific discovery of the CD34 lympho-hematopoetic
stem cell antigen and monoclonal antibody has facilitated basic research in stem cell
biology and leukemia and has led to improved stem cell transplantation for thousands of
patients. Dr. Civin built a leading Pediatric Oncology division during his years at Johns
Hopkins and is now expanding his impact on the next generation of physician-scientists
at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Of the many honors bestowed upon
him, Dr. Civin earned the 1999 National Inventor of the Year Award and the 2009 Karl
Landsteiner Award.
• James R, Downing, M.D. of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was nominated for
Time Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. As the Scientific
Director and Executive Vice President for St. Jude, Dr. Downing heads the Pediatric Cancer
Genome Project which, according to their website, has “led to groundbreaking discoveries
in some of the most aggressive childhood cancers.” A world leader in pediatric cancer
research, Dr. Downing sat down for an on-air interview with Memphis’ News Channel 3
and explained, “It’s a project where we started in 2010. We said [we’re going to spend]
$65 million; we’re going to sequence 600 tumors. At that time only one human cancer
had been sequenced, so [it was] a major challenge. We completed in February of this
year. We sequenced 700 tumors and we were under budget.” He continued, “It really is
a foundational effort. I serve as the front man for an incredible organization [that] is the
global leader of research in pediatric cancer.” For more on Dr. Downing’s Pediatric Cancer
Genome Project, visit: pediatriccancergenomeproject.org/site/
GRANTEE NEWS
• Iannis Aifantis, Ph.D. of New York University Medical Center and his lab have recently focused on the role of a
well-known developmental regulator, the Notch signaling pathway in acute myeloid leukemia. In a recent paper
published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, the team of researchers, which also includes Gabrielle’s Angel
Foundation grantees Scott Armstrong and Ross Levine, demonstrated that: a) The Notch pathway is “switched-off”
in AML, b) Suppression of the pathway is achieved diverse modes of regulation, including epigenetic regulation and,
c) Re-activation of the pathway can inhibit the growth animal and human AML. Interestingly, Notch activation appears
to target AML at its source as it leads to the differentiation and death of AML “stem cells”, the cells that can propagate
the disease. These studies clearly prove that Notch is a novel tumor suppressor in AML and reversible Notch pathway
activation represents a novel, potentially powerful therapeutic tool for patients with acute myeloid leukemia. This
work follows another publication from the Aifantis lab, published in the journal Nature, which suggested that Notch
re-activation could also target CMML, another type of myeloid leukemia that frequently afflicts the elderly. After
devastation sustained in Hurricane Sandy, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation awarded Dr. Aifantis a gift in the amount of
$50,000 to help with the rebuilding of his lab.
• Patricia Ernst, Ph.D. of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center and co-director of Cancer Mechanisms
at The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, published her findings in the early online June 3rd issue of the journal
PNAS. Her team “uncovered a vulnerability in the way cancer cells diverge from normal regenerating cells that may help
treat children with leukemia,” according to the cancer center’s press release. They used genetic engineering to generate
“a mouse model to discover genes that are regulated by MLL1 in hematopoietic stem cells, the cells that give rise to all
white and red blood cell types.” Dr. Ernst explained, “We discovered that many genes that depend upon the normal MLL1
gene are involved in maintaining hematopoietic stem cells, thus manipulating this pathway could be a way to expand
cells from normal bone marrow or umbilical cord blood donors to improve transplantation of these cell types, which is a
procedure used to treat certain chemotherapy-resistant cancers.” Principal investigator Ernst and her team are currently
at work on follow up studies to these findings. The PNAS paper was edited by research pioneer and Foundation Medical
Advisory Board member, Dr. Janet D. Rowley of The University of Chicago.
• Steven D. Mittelman, M.D., Ph.D. of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles recently made national news for his findings on
“Every great advancement in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.”
• John Dewey
For all the latest, follow us online!
Twitter @CureCancerNow & @CureCancerNowUK
Facebook.com/gabriellesangels
Vimeo.com/gabriellesangels
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obesity and pediatric cancer. As reported in the Wall Street Journal on April 15th, Dr. Mittelman’s team discovered that
“obesity substantially impairs the ability of first-line chemotherapy to kill leukemia cells.” The study, first published in
Cancer Research, also revealed that not only can obesity cause cancer, but that it also “significantly decreases a child’s
odds of battling the disease.” Results of Dr. Mittelman’s research show that “obese children diagnosed with high-risk
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a 50% greater risk of their disease recurring compared with children who are
not obese.” Featured April 30th on local affiliate NBC 4 Southern California, Dr. Mittelman told reporter Dr. Bruce Hensel,
“Most people are aware that obesity increases your risk for diabetes and heart disease, but what most people don’t
realize is that it also increases your risk of cancer. Obesity has a lot of effects and many of them are due to the fat tissue
which is inflamed and resistant to the hormone insulin. Leukemia cells actually migrate into fat tissue and once they’re
in the fat tissue it’s harder for the cancer-killing drugs to work against them.” Dr. Mittelman’s team continues to explore
various ideas such as whether a weight loss program of diet and exercise might help children once they’ve been
diagnosed with leukemia.
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President and Co-Founder Denise Rich with Ethan Zohn
Praise for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation...
“The research that is leading to these pioneering breakthroughs would not have been possible without the support of
donors like you.... I want to personally thank you for helping us usher in this new era in cancer medicine.”
• William G. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., Marion I. Knott Director and Professor of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive
Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
“Your philanthropy...has a profound impact in the lives of many.”
• Stuart P. Sullivan, EVP and Chief Development Officer, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation
OTHER NEWS
“Philanthropic support from friends like you enables us to provide better treatments, services and hope to the children and
families entrusted to our care.” • James A. Saporito, SVP of Development, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
• Last December, smart shoppers bought their holiday gifts at Long Island’s premiere luxury shopping destination,
Americana Manhasset. Thanks to our friends who signed up for their yearly CHAMPIONS FOR CHARITY®
Holiday Shopping Benefit, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation received a portion of the proceeds totaling $18,906.
This annual initiative resulted in a total donation in 2012 of $672,043 to participating non-profit organizations.
Since its inception 17 years ago, CHAMPIONS FOR CHARITY® has raised nearly $7 million. Thank you to our friends
at Americana Manhasset for your continued show of support and to all of our ‘angels’ who registered to shop!
• On June 18th, young professionals held their second Millennial Ball at New York’s MARQUEE nightclub.
Special thanks to hosts Louie Torrellas, Andrew Warren, and the entire Millennial event committee for their
hard work & dedication!
• Thanks to our friends at e-dropoff, for one week in June online shoppers had the chance to bid
on gently used designer pieces worn by such celebs as Angel Ambassador Alan Cumming
and Christian Siriano. Proceeds from the sale of these haute items from such designers as
Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Tracey Reese benefited our research initiatives!
gabriellesangels.org
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Photo: Sylvain Gabourey
“For anyone out there who is involved with
[Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation], or is thinking about
getting involved: If you wonder where your money’s
going, it’s inside me. I am living proof that the work
that these doctors do on a daily basis is saving lives
of real people like me. And the work that these
scientists are doing is making a real difference in
the cancer community.” • Ethan Zohn, Angel Ambassador