Bristol-Myers Squibb receives the "Simply the Best" award at the ALCF Gala on November 14 for revolutionary immuno-oncology research
SAN CARLOS, Calif., Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF) awarded Bristol-Myers Squibb the "Simply the Best" award at the ALCF's Tenth Annual "Simply the Best" Gala for demonstrating commitment to reducing lung cancer morbidity by advancing personalized, targeted treatments and investing in breakthrough research.
The "Simply the Best" award is the highest honor the ALCF distributes, recognizing researchers, dedicated physicians and clinicians for their ongoing work fighting lung cancer. Teresa Bitetti, Senior Vice President of Oncology for Bristol-Myers Squibb accepted the award in San Francisco on November 14, 2015.
"In 1971, President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer, but we are just getting started on the war on lung cancer," said Bonnie J. Addario, 11-year lung cancer survivor and founder of the ALCF. "With its immuno-oncology research, Bristol-Myers Squibb revolutionized the approach to lung cancer treatment, ushering in a new and hopeful era. Lung cancer patients can now count on having a plan B in their back pocket when plan A stops working."
Immuno-oncology is a new approach that uses a patient's immune system to help fight cancer. Bristol-Myers Squibb received FDA approval for the first immuno-oncology medication for patients previously treated for a type of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), representing an exciting development for lung cancer patients. NSCLC is one of the most common types of lung cancer and accounts for more than 85 percent of all diagnoses.
"We have a long standing commitment to supporting the lung cancer community, collaborating to improve survival and maximizing research to advance breakthrough lung cancer therapies," said Bitetti. "We are honored to continue to work with the ALCF to provide improved care for lung cancer patients."
While the research into new treatment for lung cancer has improved, lung cancer still accounts for more cancer deaths than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined. Over the past year, approximately 221,200 new lung cancer diagnoses in the U.S. will lead to nearly 158,040 Americans to die of the disease.1
"There is significant need for treatment options that benefit patients and Bristol-Myers Squibb is leading the way into a new and hopeful era for lung cancer patients," said Addario. "Today we can truly say we are on a strong path towards making lung cancer a manageable chronic disease by 2023."
For more information about the ALCF please visit www.lungcancerfoundation.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
About the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF) is one of the largest philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused, and patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating Lung Cancer through research, early detection, education, and treatment. The Foundation's goal is to work with a diverse group of physicians, organizations, industry partners, individuals, patients, survivors, and their families to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change and turn lung cancer into a chronically managed disease by 2023. The ALCF was established on March 1, 2006 as a 501c(3) non-profit organization and has raised nearly $25 million for lung cancer research and related programs.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit www.bms.com, or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.
1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2015. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2015.
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SOURCE Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
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