Roger Worthington Donates $100,000 to The Pacific Meso Center

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pacific Meso Center (PMC) gratefully acknowledges the generous donation of $100,000 from long time supporter Roger Worthington for its ongoing research for treating patients suffering with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related disease.  $10,000 of this donation will be used to support PMC's Inaugural 5K Walk & BBQ at the Paramount ranch in Agoura Hills on Sunday, October 14^th, 2012.

"Roger Worthington's continued exceptional generosity will help sustain our scientists' ongoing investigations into several promising therapeutic approaches," Dr. Robert B. Cameron, PMC scientific advisor, said. One area of investigation focuses on cryotherapy. Recent PMC studies discussed at the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) have shown that freezing mesothelioma cells is more effective than many currently available therapies, including heated chemotherapy given during mesothelioma surgery, and with this funding likely will expand to become an essential component of any mesothelioma treatment program.

"We're very excited about the new lab at the Pacific Meso Center," said Mr. Worthington. "PMC has recruited a remarkable team of scientists and has outlined an ambitious research agenda. We're happy to have contributed to PMC's ability to assemble the outstanding facility, physical tools, and exceptional brain power necessary to begin chipping away at this 'to do' list."

Roger Worthington is a long time advocate for mesothelioma research. In 2005, he helped establish the David "Punch" Worthington Laboratory at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles in honor of his father, Punch Worthington, Ph.D., who died from asbestosis and lung cancer a year later. Scientists in the "Punch" Worthington Research Lab, led by Dr. Cameron, are collaborating with PMC's scientists on novel strategies for the treatment of mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.

About The Pacific Meso Center:

The Pacific Meso Center (PMC) is a division of the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit medical research institute established in 2002 which is focused on the treatment and prevention of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).  The exploration of innovative ideas forms the foundation of PMC's unique research program and provides the promise of future treatment breakthroughs.  PMC is dedicated to educating the public on asbestos-related diseases and informing them of their best treatment options.  PMC also connects newly diagnosed patients with patients that have been through treatment and provides assistance and emotional support.

For further information please contact:
Clare Cameron
310-478-4678 
[email protected] 
www.pacificmesocenter.org 

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SOURCE The Pacific Meso Center