Corey Ribotsky (NIR Group)

Ironman Aims to Help LLS

The inaugural Ironman US Championship in New York and New Jersey is about to get its kickoff, as six-time Ironman world champ Dave Scott gets ready to inspire the athletes. The Ironman will take place on August 11, 2012, and the athletes are training as members of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program.  LLS, with sponsors like Corey Ribotsky and so many others, works to fight blood cancers around the world.

The 12 member team that is part of the LLS's New Jersey Chapter will be training for the next eight months to get ready for the Ironman. The group, also including about 50 participants from the New York City Chapter, will raise funds for LLS along the way as they prepare for the race.

As Guy Adami, the New Jersey team organizer and a panelist on CNBC's Fast Money said, "My teammates and I are hoping to build on the impact that Team In Training has had over its 23-year history, with more than $1.2 billion raised to help beat cancer. Taking on the Ironman is a daunting goal, but it pales in comparison to the challenges cancer patients face every day."

LLS and Lotsa Helping Hands

Certainly, when someone is dealing with cancer, there are many things that they need help to accomplish. Their family made need assistance; they may need financial help; they may need help navigating the health care system, and beyond.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where Corey Ribotsky is a donor, helps in innumerable ways.

One way that they help is with a brilliant online program they’ve created called Lotsa Helping Hands. This is a private, web-based caregiving coordination service that allows friends and family members to collaborate on their helping efforts.

As the LLS website explains, “With an LLS Lotsa Helping Hands community web site in place, when someone asks “What can I do to help?” the answer is “You can join our community!" Then ask them for their name and email address – the system takes over and allows people to sign up and start helping.”

New Clinical Trials with the LLS & KU

Researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center have started a clinical trial. The trial is targeting the most common type of adult leukemia and looking at a drug, auranofin, that was first approved 25 years ago for the treatment of arthritis.

This trial is one piece of the collaboration that is taking place between KU, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where Corey Ribotsky is a supporter, and the National Institute of Health. Together, they are working to accelerate the discovery and development of more effective cancer treatments.

As Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D., the executive vice president and chief mission officer at LLS said, "The collaboration between KU, LLS and NIH is committed to giving new hope to patients by reducing sharply the time and costs associated with developing new therapies. Auranofin is a great example of what is possible through an effective public-private partnership."

Corey Ribotsky and Hockey Fights CancerTM/LLS campaign

Corey Ribotsky could take a lot of pride in the recent work of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), given his involvement in the organization.  The LLS has joined up with Hockey Fights Cancer^TM – a joint venture between the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association.  Earlier this month, together – these hard-working organizations – attempted to join the battle against pediatric cancer.

There was more help and support for these organizations for this venture.  Five NHL players (Michael Grabner, Henrik Lundqvist, Zach Parise, Brad Richards and John Tavares) teamed up with Columbia University researcher Adolfo Ferrando, MD, PhD (who is working on T-Cell leukemia), presenting a plaque to Hockey Fights Cancer for its work in the battle against pediatric cancer.

Public announcements from NHL players and an SMS program was also undertaken as part of the Hockey Fights Cancer/LLS campaign throughout America and Canada too.  This enabled LLS chapters throughout North America to “leverage and strengthen relationships with their local NHL teams.”  Special events were hosted at NHL arenas to “help raise awareness and funds to support the initiative” as well.

As LLS President and CEO John Walter commented, “LLS  is extremely grateful to the NHL, the Players and the entire hockey community and its fans for coming together to support this effort.  These funds will be a tremendous help to researchers such as Dr. Ferrando who are working hard to beat childhood cancer.”

 

New Look for LLS

In its 62nd year, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), will be getting a makeover.  Corey Ribotsky is one of the volunteers of this organization, which is actually the world’s largest voluntary health agency.  It now has a new corporate as well as campaign logo.  According to Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer Nancy L. Klein, “our new logo is the first step to increasing overall public awareness of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society brand and to better align our campaigns with the master brand.”  Further, the organization’s campaigns will now be getting a more unified look and make it more recognizable.  It will take around a year to fully integrate the new logos.

Give & Get Supports Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

 
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), which is supported by companies like the NIR Group with Corey Ribotsky, participated once again in Gap Inc.’s Give & Get program. In previous campaigns, this program has provided LLS with nearly $2.8 million in support of their cancer research, patient education and support services. 

The holiday project ran from Thursday, November 11^th until the following Sunday. Over that weekend, customers were able to use and reuse downloadable coupons which granted a 30% discount in Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy, in both the U.S. and Canada. LLS and several other organizations benefitted from the purchases- the shoppers each selected the charity of their choice, and 5% of their net purchases were donated.

New Drug for ADHD Helps Kids Suffering from CNS Cancers

Children who have been treated for cancers of the central nervous system frequently exhibit  difficulties with attention, memory and behavior. Now, an article published in a recent issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology has demonstrated that the stimulant methylphenidate, currently used to treat children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may help young cancer patients too.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Aided by donors like Corey Ribotsky, the Society is constantly on the lookout for new developments to help patients with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and melanoma. This discovery may open a new window into ways to help the youngest of those patients – children who, having survived cancer, continue to have difficulty in school because of problems with their behavior and ability to socialize and pay attention in age- and grade-appropriate ways.

While methylphenidate will not necessarily help all children in this situation, the clinical trial of 122 children indicates that the drug may improve behavioral, attention, and social skills in about half of the youthful cancer survivors who receive the treatment.

Supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) awarded two new grants through its prestigious Marshall A. Lichtman Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) research initiative, bringing the program's total funding to $210.5 million since its inception over a decade ago.  Like Corey Ribotsky, both of those who received the award have been connected to this important organization for many years.  They are researchers though engaging in important work.  But supporting financially and raising money is the other – equally important – side of this organization.  Without adequate funding, an organization like LLS would not be able to survive.  All monies help tremendously.

Corey Ribotsky and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

 For anyone with an ounce of compassion, an organization like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is one that needs all the support it can get, from individuals giving their time, to groups working hard to raise much needed funds.  Businessman Corey Ribotsky gives of his time by volunteering at the LLS. Whoever has “just been diagnosed with a type of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or myelodysplastic syndrome,” is welcome to call this organization for help. 

But if you want to learn more about what it means to volunteer to help people with cancer, it might be a good idea to first read in general, what kind of activities these people engage in, through the American Cancer Society, at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/emp/emp_2_volunteers.asp  It’s always worth being fully-informed before taking on a heavy – albeit incredibly giving and compassionate – task such as this.

LLS Congratulates Doctor Named as Part of the “2010 Time 100”

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is proud to congratulate Dr. Larry Kwak, a professor and chair of the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.  He was named to the “2010 Time 100” for the role that he has had in advancing custom-made vaccines for patients with lymphoma.

The vaccines that he has developed are currently in late stage clinical trials.  As President and CEO of LLS, John Walter said, "LLS is proud of Dr. Kwak's well-deserved recognition, and honored to have played a role in helping to advance his and his team's critical work."

This is one example of the amazing work coming from LLS doctors and others, all made possible with grants and contributions from individuals like Corey Ribotsky and groups like the NIR Group.

Go Totally Baldacious

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is always thinking of new and creative ways to raise money for their important causes.  This worthy cause, supported by Corey Ribotsky and many others, works to fund blood cancer research, education and patient services.  They want to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. 

Their latest venture can’t help but put a smile on your face.  They are advocating going Totally Baldacious by shaving your head or coloring your hair to raise funds for life-saving cancer research.  After shaving or coloring your hair, you can start fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and learn more at www.totallybaldacious.org.

Nothing like a little creativity to help to advance cancer research!

The Many Services from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps patients who are dealing with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and melanoma to improve their quality of life and to find the information they seek about their diagnoses and conditions.  Founded in 1949, they have invested more than $360 million for blood cancer research with the aim of finding a cure for these deadly diseases.

They offer a wide range of services.  Their Information Resource Center (IRC) provides treatment information and has information specialists on staff who can speak with callers five days a week.  They offer free materials about disease, treatments and support and can help patients to find their local LLS chapter.  They have medical interpretation services in more than 20 languages, ensuring that people from all backgrounds receive the cancer support and information they need.

These are a few of the many services offered by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  With donations from individuals and groups, such as the NIR Group and managing partner Corey Ribotsky, they can reach out to cancer patients and offer outstanding education and resources to those in need.

The NIR Group & Corey Ribotsky Support Cancer Research

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a voluntary health organization that funds blood cancer research, education and patient services.  As the world’s largest voluntary organization of this sort, they work tirelessly to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and melanoma.  Furthermore, they work to improve patient quality of life both for the patient and for his or her family.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has information specialists who can help cancer sufferers with the challenges and questions of their diagnosis.  In addition, they offer healthcare professionals who are involved in patient care and can provide cancer patients with information and support.

The NIR Group, with managing partner and head portfolio manager Corey Ribotsky, is committed to lending its financial support to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.