American Association for Cancer Research and Debbie's Dream Foundation Partner to Offer Gastric Cancer Research Fellowship

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) are pleased to announce a new fellowship opportunity in gastric cancer research.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140113/PH44438 )

The Debbie's Dream Foundation-AACR Gastric Cancer Fellowship represents a joint effort to encourage and support a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow to conduct gastric cancer research and to establish a successful career path in this field. The proposed research may be basic, translational, clinical, or epidemiological in nature and must have direct applicability and relevance to gastric cancer.

Headquartered in Davie, Fla. and helping patients, families, and caregivers internationally, DDF is the international leader in raising awareness, advancing funding for stomach cancer research, and supporting those affected by all forms of stomach cancer through its many free programs.

"The overall five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with stomach cancer in the United States is less than 30 percent, so the AACR is pleased to be partnering with Debbie's Dream Foundation to offer a fellowship in gastric cancer research," said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), chief executive officer of the AACR. "We know that one reason the overall survival rate is so low is that gastric cancer is predominantly diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it extremely hard to treat. This new funding opportunity will help to foster new research and accelerate progress against this disease, which is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide."

"We are delighted to be collaborating with the AACR on this grant opportunity. This partnership will allow the grant to be publicized to a larger audience, thus bringing the best and brightest minds into the stomach cancer research field. Collaboration is one of the keys to advancing gastric cancer treatment options," said Madelyn Herzfeld, DDF board member and DDF grant committee chair.

"We have been working tirelessly to fund research indirectly through advocacy and we are thrilled to now fund gastric cancer research directly," said Debbie Zelman, president and founder of DDF. "With this grant, we are achieving our mission and we are one step closer to our ultimate goal of making the cure for stomach cancer a reality."

The fellowship will provide $50,000 over a one-year term, which will begin July 1, 2014. The recipient will formally accept the grant at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, held April 5-9, in San Diego, Calif. and attend the Debbie's Dream Foundation Dream Makers Gala, April 26, 2014, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Interested investigators can click here for further details. Applications must be submitted by noon ET, Jan. 15, using the proposalCENTRAL website. A hard copy with original signatures must be mailed to the AACR at 615 Chestnut Street, 17th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Attn: Hanna Hopfinger. Additional inquiries may be directed to [email protected].

About the American Association for Cancer Research
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 34,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and cancer advocates residing in more than 90 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 20 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with more than 18,000 attendees. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org.

About Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer
Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support internationally to patients, families, and caregivers. DDF seeks as its ultimate goal to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality. DDF was the first stomach cancer organization and now has 18 Chapters in the US and Canada, helps patients worldwide through a free Patient Resource Education Program (PREP) and Mentor Program; hosts free education events internationally; has a world renowned Medical Advisory Board; thousands of supporters and volunteers; advocates for increased federal funding for stomach cancer research; and directly funds research. For more information about DDF, visit www.DebbiesDream.org.

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