Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation Inc

The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation Inc is a United States-based nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, myeloma, and allied cancers. The foundation supports innovative developmental research by awarding Discovery Grants to promising projects and investigators in the field of hematology and oncology. It is also actively involved in conducting marrow donor drives and promoting cord blood donations as a way to facilitate bone marrow transplantation for patients in need.

History and Purpose

Established as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, the Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation supports medical research and patient care related to blood cancers and diseases. It aims to seed new lines of investigation through funding early-stage research projects that may lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating these diseases. The Foundation also supports pain and palliative care initiatives to improve the quality of life for affected patients.

Activities and Impact

• Discovery Grants: To date, the Foundation has awarded 146 Discovery Grants to researchers associated with respected medical institutions. These grants serve as seed money enabling innovative research directions in leukemia and allied cancers, many of which have attracted subsequent funding exceeding $470 million from other sources.

• Endowed Research Fellowships: The Foundation has established 17 endowed research fellowships, including a fully funded fellowship endowment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, facilitating ongoing high-level research.

• Grand Round Lectures: The Foundation organizes and underwrites grand round lectures featuring physicians notable in hematology and oncology, with 24 lectures delivered at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

• Marrow Donor Drives: The Foundation has sponsored 90 marrow donor drives, collaborating with organizations such as The New York Blood Center. These drives aid in matching donors to patients, with success stories including a donor-patient match achieved in 1999.

• Support for Palliative Care: It has awarded 16 grants supporting pain and palliative care services at institutions including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Calvary Hospital.

Funding and Governance

The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation raises funds through donations and provides tax-deductible grants to researchers and clinicians. Its EIN is 11-2729057, and it is headquartered in Port Washington, New York. Since its IRS ruling year in 1989, it has maintained a focus on funding research and marrow donor activities aimed at combating blood cancers.

Recognition

The Foundation’s commitment to innovative research and patient support has made it a valued partner within the hematology and oncology communities, contributing significantly to the advancement of scientific knowledge and patient care in its mission areas.

This summary reflects data current as of December 2024 and highlights the Foundation’s ongoing contributions to blood cancer research and patient support.