Press Releases

For more information, contact:

D. Shenell Reed
Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation
(813) 745-1413
DShenell.Reed@Moffitt.org

Tampa, FL (June 2, 2010) - Moffitt Cancer Center has named Dr. Eduardo Sotomayor  to lead the Susan and John Sykes Endowed Chair in Hematologic Malignancies. The chair is made possible by a gift from Susan W. and John H. Sykes, and will enhance specific hematological research and clinical programs at Moffitt.

"It is a great honor for me to receive an Endowed Chair from John and Susan Sykes," Sotomayor said. "They are compassionate human beings, and their generous support for ongoing hematological research will allow us to speed up our efforts to find a cure for malignant lymphomas."

"Dr. Sotomayor is very deserving of this special recognition," said William S. Dalton, Ph.D., M.D., center director and CEO of Moffitt.  "This is more than just an honor for him - it's a real step forward in giving hope to patients suffering from blood cancers.  This gift will accelerate his contribution to groundbreaking research and clinical efforts that will tailor treatment to the individual and improve the lives of so many."

The gift will offer several opportunities for the Malignant Hematology Program  at Moffitt to:

• Develop a state-of-the-art database that will allow clinical and basic scientists to identify markers of tumor aggressiveness and develop risk-stratified personalized therapies
• Develop state-of-the-art cancer tissue collection, storage and distribution systems that will allow the identification of genetic/epigenetic alterations in the patient's own tumor and guide the development of personalized therapies for hematologic malignancies
• Speed efforts to develop effective cancer vaccines for patients with malignant lymphomas

"We want Moffitt to be able to continue the important and critical work that happens every day in the laboratories and clinical areas," said John Sykes. "We understand that research is the key to ending cancer, so we want to do whatever it takes to help cancer patients today and for years to come."

About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center - a designation that recognizes Moffitt's excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 14 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country's leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report  as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer. Moffitt's sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.
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