2020 Special Pledge

Lymphoma Cancer Research Project at Fox Chase Cancer Center

What is lymphoma?

In the United States in 2020 the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be over 1.8 million new cancer cases and over 600,000 total cancer deaths. Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for over 4% of all cancers. 

Lymphoma is a cancer that affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays an important role in the body’s germ fighting network. This network is housed in lymphoid organs, including lymph nodes (lymph glands), spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow. Lymphoma can arise in any of these sites, as well as other organs throughout the body. Many types of lymphoma exist, and they are divided into two types: Hodgkin's lymphoma (formerly called Hodgkin's disease) and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The primary difference between these two types of lymphoma is the particular type of lymphocyte affected; however, there are other differences as well:

  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more common and more lethal, with approximately 77,000 new cases per year with a mortality rate of approximately 25%. Hodgkin’s disease afflicts about 8,500 patients per year and has a mortality rate of about 11%.

  • Lymphomas tend to arise in patients of different ages, with the risk for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma steadily increasing throughout life and occurring primarily in patients 65 or older. The aging of the American population will likely lead to an increase in Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases during the coming years. Conversely, Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a bimodal distribution, being most common in early adulthood (early 20's) but then again increasing in prevalence in late adulthood, after age 55.

  • Non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphomas also predominate in different sites in the body, with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurring in lymph nodes anywhere in the body, while Hodgkin’s lymphoma tends to begin in the upper body, such as the neck, chest or armpits. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is often diagnosed at an early stage and is therefore considered one of the most treatable cancers. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is typically not diagnosed until it has reached a more advanced stage.

 

The Lymphoma Research Project at Fox Chase Cancer Center

The effectiveness of treatments for lymphoma has been markedly improved over the years, increasing five-year survival from approximately 40% to nearly 80%. However, for those patients that fail first line treatment, few options exist.  Dr. Yibin Yang’s lab at Fox Chase seeks to provide hope for those patients who are not cured by existing treatments.  In determining why those patients fail to benefit from existing treatments, Dr. Yang employs a state-of-the art method to destroy the genes that are activated in these patients in order to determine which genes are required to keep the lymphoma cells alive.  Those genes found to be required for lymphoma cell survival serve as important targets against which new therapies can be developed. Yang’s lab has identified one such target termed the “linear ubiquitin chain activation complex” or “LUBAC”.  He has found that LUBAC supports the survival of lymphomas and may play a role in drug resistance. The lab has also developed an inhibitor of LUBAC that is now ready to be tested in mouse models, with the ultimate aim of generating inhibitors that can be used in patients.  Importantly, these inhibitors may also help immunotherapy work more effectively.  Accordingly, support for Dr. Yang’s work may lead to hope for thousands of lymphoma patients for whom current therapies are not effective. 

Thank you to our Special Pledge Donors

Diamond Level
Debbie and Leo Sniger made a pledge In Memory of George Bramhall and In Honor of Sandy Marshall

Ruby Level

Mr. and Mrs. James J. Anderson
Anonymous
S & D Marshall
Lauren & Don Morel
Lisa & Jon Otto


Sapphire Level
Penn Color
Lou and Carol Della Penna
Michael and Jean Fowler
Millham Insurance
Lillian O'Connor
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Emerald Level
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Rick & Flo Celender
Jim Flynn & Sue Johnson
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Addie Riggione
Winnie & Norm Troxel

Opal Level
Anonymous
Betty Ann & Reginald Bishop
Kathleen Borthwick made a pledge In Honor of Lillian O'Connor
Sharon Gery made a pledge In Memory of Theresa Louise Martin
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Linda Sterthous + Anna Kruschwitz made a pledge In Honor of Barbara O'Donnell
Addison Wolfe


Amethyst Level
John Delp
Barbara and Bruce Franzel made a pledge In Memory of John O'Donnell
Kim Gronendahl made a pledge In Honor of Dutch Gronendahl
Janice Kimenhour
Denise Milde
C & N
RE/MAX Newtown
Megan Officer made a pledge In Memory of Uncle John O'Donnell
GrahamPeterson.com
Wendy and David Rees
Heller's Seafood
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Schindler
Cathryn and Richard Zega
Alison Zimmerman

Garnet Level
Anonymous (3)
Timothy and Mary Alley made a pledge In Honor of Ann Smith
Lynn Betz
Allen & Mary Bittinger made a pledge In Honor of Donna Shuman
Jim & Mary Borthwick
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Campbell Family
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Lynn Haskin
Thomas Hebel, Bucks Country Gardens
Kermit Kemp
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Daniel  J. McCloskey
Gregory Nieto
Barbara O'Donnell made a pledge In Memory of Florence Cymbor Sterthous

Joe O'Donnell
Ryan O'Donnell made a pledge In Memory of John V. O'Donnell
Roy Reinard III made a pledge In Memory of Ray Reinard Sr.
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In Memory of John O'Donnell
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Carol Resch
Charles Sines
Diane Sterthous
Julie Sukanick made a pledge In Memory of Ray Reinard Sr.
Walter J. Young

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