Created as part of the newly reimagined Breakthroughs Summit, the inaugural Night of Champions celebrates the patients, supporters, researchers, volunteers, donors and partners advancing Blood Cancer United's Bold Goal of adding one million years of life for blood cancer patients by 2040. The introduction of the Breakthrough Voice Award and Breakthrough Rising Leader Award reflects the organization's commitment to recognizing individuals whose leadership and actions are advancing awareness, advocacy and progress across the blood cancer community.
"As we continue pursuing our Bold Goal of adding one million years of life for blood cancer patients by 2040, it is important to recognize those whose voices, leadership and determination are moving us forward," said E. Anders Kolb M.D., CEO of Blood Cancer United. "The inaugural Night of Champions celebrates the people behind progress. We could not imagine two more fitting recipients for our first-ever Breakthrough Voice and Breakthrough Rising Leader Award than Dr. Mukherjee and Charlotte."
Honoring a Leading Voice in Cancer Research
The inaugural Breakthrough Voice Award recognizes individuals using their platform and influence to expand public understanding of blood cancer, scientific discovery and the importance of continued investment in research. Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee was selected for his extraordinary contributions as a physician-scientist, entrepreneur, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and communicator whose work has helped millions better understand cancer, shaped modern cancer biology and advanced the promise of medical innovation.
"It is an immense honor to receive this award," said Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee. "Blood cancers are among the most lethal malignancies, and yet we have made radical advances in treating and even curing some of them. My own work has brought treatments and cures to thousands of patients, including some of the most indigent patients in India and South Asia. I am honored to work in this field which has had a deep impact on not just hematological cancers, such as leukemias and lymphomas, but has altered our way of thinking about all cancers in general. The lessons learned from blood cancers, such as targeted therapy, metabolic therapy and immunological therapies, have extended to dozens of other cancers. Once again, my own work on myeloma and lymphoma has shed light on breast and endometrial cancer, and I have been fortunate to develop novel medicines for these malignancies as well. I am honored to be a recipient of this award."
Recognizing a New Generation of Leadership
The inaugural Breakthrough Rising Leader Award recognizes an emerging leader whose personal experience, advocacy and service are moving the blood cancer community forward. At just 15 years old, Charlotte Nathanson, a two-time survivor of acute myeloid leukemia, embodies that spirit through her advocacy, public speaking, legislative engagement and fundraising efforts. She has also set her sights on becoming a pediatric oncologist, combining her lived experience with a desire to care for future generations of patients.
"I am incredibly honored to be the first recipient of the Breakthrough Rising Leader Award," said Charlotte Nathanson. "Surviving leukemia twice helped me understand what I want to do with my life which is to use my experience and my voice to help other children with cancer. While I hope to one day be a pediatric oncologist, the work of fighting blood cancer has already started through volunteering, advocacy, and fundraising. Everything I do is driven by the hope that the next child and the next family facing blood cancer will have an easier journey and a brighter future."
A Reimagined Gathering Focused on Progress
Following the inaugural Night of Champions, the 2026 Breakthroughs Summit continues in New York City, bringing together leading researchers, philanthropic supporters, corporate partners, volunteers and advocates to spotlight scientific progress and explore the breakthroughs still to come. The reimagined event celebrates achievements in blood cancer research while fostering conversations that help accelerate future discoveries.
During the Summit's October 9 research programming, Blood Cancer United presented its inaugural Breakthroughs Summit Mission Impact Award to Sarah K. Tasian, M.D. Ph.D., a pediatric oncologist, leukemia researcher, and director of the Hematologic Malignancies Program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The award recognizes a researcher whose scientific contributions and commitment to Blood Cancer United's mission have helped advance progress for patients and families. A Blood Cancer United-funded researcher, grant reviewer, volunteer, fundraiser and member of the leadership team for Blood Cancer United's PedAL Master Clinical Trial, Dr. Tasian exemplifies the partnership between scientific innovation and mission engagement.
"Receipt of this Blood Cancer United Breakthroughs Summit Mission Impact Award in recognition of our scientific accomplishments is a wonderful and deeply appreciated surprise," noted Dr. Tasian. "My Scholar career development award funded from 2021 to 2026 was instrumental in strengthening and accelerating our laboratory and clinical trials research programs focused upon precision medicine therapies for children with high-risk leukemias, including ALL, AML, and JMML. We have made highly impactful bench-to-bedside and bedside-back-to-bench biologic and therapeutic discoveries during the past five years and advanced existing or established new research collaborations. I am delighted to continue our translational childhood leukemia studies via other current Blood Cancer United laboratory research funding and our international Pediatric Acute Leukemia (PedAL) Initiative/Dare to Dream clinical trials efforts, as well as to serve more locally as a volunteer with our Eastern Pennsylvania-Delaware Region."
The inaugural Night of Champions was hosted by Savannah Sellers, co-anchor of Morning News NOW and correspondent for NBC News, and featured patient stories, award presentations and reflections on decades of progress in blood cancer research.
Support for the 2026 Breakthroughs Summit was provided by Royalty Pharma and Lilly.
Reporters who would like more information or an interview can email [email protected].
About Blood Cancer United®
Blood Cancer United® (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) is the largest global nonprofit focused on blood cancer patient support, research, and advocacy. Since their founding in 1949, the organization has consistently evolved to better serve people affected by all 100-plus types of blood cancer. Blood Cancer United funds innovative research, offers free resources and personalized support, and advocates at state and national levels for more accessible and affordable healthcare for all patients. To learn more, visit BloodCancerUnited.org.
SOURCE BLOOD CANCER UNITED, INC.
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