Newswise — New Haven, Conn. — Yale Cancer Center (YCC) and Smilow Cancer Hospital (SCH) are proud to announce a five-year grant awarded by The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation to establish The DeLuca Center for Innovation in Hematology Research. The gift will help translate groundbreaking research discoveries into practice-changing improvements in clinical care for blood cancer patients at YCC and SCH. It will also ensure detailed genetic characterization of each patient’s cancer and advance the next generation of treatments for hematologic malignancies.

“We are so appreciative of this extremely generous and transformative gift from the DeLuca Foundation to help our team drive innovative research in blood cancers,” said Charles S. Fuchs, M.D., M.P.H., director of YCC and Physician-in-Chief of SCH. “The DeLuca Center marks a bold, new initiative at YCC and SCH that will accelerate cancer research and strengthen our battle against hematologic malignancies.”

Hematologic malignancies (leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and related cancers) represent a major contributor to the burden of cancer in the U.S. and across the world.

“My husband Fred battled Leukemia, so I experienced first-hand the devastating impact blood cancers can have on individuals and families,” said Elisabeth DeLuca, president of The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation. “While there has been progress in the development of new treatments for these cancers, there remains a critical need for new, more effective therapies that can meaningfully improve the outcome for patients. It is my wish that The DeLuca Center for Innovation in Hematology Research will develop cutting-edge therapies to enhance the lives of blood cancer patients.”

The funding for the new center will also help establish a biobank and foster the development of young investigators who will advance the next generation of treatments for leukemia and other hematologic malignancies.

About Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale Cancer Center (YCC) is one of only 49 National Cancer Institute (NCI-designated comprehensive cancer) centers in the nation and the only such center in Connecticut. Cancer treatment for patients is available at Smilow Cancer Hospital through 13 multidisciplinary teams and at 14 Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Centers in Connecticut. Smilow Cancer Hospital is accredited by the Commission on Cancer, a Quality program of the American College of Surgeons. Comprehensive cancer centers play a vital role in the advancement of the NCI’s goal of reducing morbidity and mortality from cancer through scientific research, cancer prevention, and innovative cancer treatment.

About The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation was created in 1998 by the late Fred DeLuca, cofounder of the global SUBWAY® restaurant chain, to provide youth and adults the tools to achieve self-sufficiency through high-quality educational opportunities and scholarships. Today, under the broad umbrella of education, the Foundation’s impact has broadened to support artistic experiences, health awareness, and workforce development programs. The Foundation also funds cutting-edge cancer research and professional development opportunities for nurses to provide the best standard of care for their patients.

 

                                                                                                  #   #  #