Smilow Cancer Hospital Receives CT Lions Eye Research Foundation Grant to Study Eye Cancer

Newswise — The Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation (CLERF) has awarded a grant to Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven and Yale Cancer Center. The 1-year, $135,000 award will fund uveal melanoma research by Renelle Lim, MD, Director of the Ocular Oncology Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital.

“Uveal melanoma is the most common primary cancer of the eye, potentially causing damage to the eye, complete loss of sight, or removal of the eye,” said Lim. “I’m so appreciative of the Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation for investing in my work to help improve earlier detection and treatment options for our patients.”

The grant will fund research to identify uveal melanoma when it affects the rest of the body and appears outside of the eye. Researchers will study the tumor mutations, looking for common components and discovering genetic makeup of the evolving melanoma. In addition to guiding and improving therapeutics, researchers hope that these advancements will lead to eye preservation and improvement in overall survival.

“The Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation and all Connecticut Lions are happy once again to support eye research at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center,” said Tom Sullivan, President of CLERF. “Our long history goes back to 1957 when our first grant went to Yale. We are excited Dr. Lim’s work may help identify new therapies for patients.”

“This partnership with the Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation is a powerful step forward in battling uveal melanoma,” said Charles Fuchs, MD, MPH, Director of Yale Cancer Center and Physician-in-Chief at Smilow Cancer Hospital. “We are very grateful for their generous support to fight this potentially devastating disease.”

About Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital
Yale Cancer Center (YCC) is one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-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 15 Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island. 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.

Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation
Since Founded in 1956, the Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation has supported eye research in Connecticut and the conservation of eyesight with more than $10 million in grants. All Connecticut Lions are members of the Foundation. The Lions of Connecticut and Lions Clubs International have been dedicated to improving the lives of the visually impaired since Helen Keller charged Lions to be “Knights of Blind” at the 1925 Lions International Convention. The Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation has supported countless projects over the past 60 plus years including screening hundreds of thousands of children in Connecticut with the Lions Kidsight Eye Screening program. The Lions motto, “We Serve”, is a true representation of the tireless efforts of all the Lions of Connecticut, serving to better the lives of mankind, making a difference both locally and globally.

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