VANCOUVER - The Lymphoma Foundation of Canada has awarded BC Cancer Agency researcher Steven Ralph, the Patricia Manson Memorial Fellowship Award.

The 28-year old Ralph will receive a $40,000 fellowship to pursue research that focuses on using genomic approaches to better understand genetic alterations underlying lymphoma development and progression. He will work closely with the Lymphoma Research Group at the BC Cancer Agency, as well as with scientists at the Agency's Genome Sequence Centre, to develop new research technologies.

Lymphoma is the fifth most common cancer diagnosed in men or women and is divided into two large groups: Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Last year, 6,000 new cases of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 840 cases of Hodgkin's disease were diagnosed in Canada.

"I am honoured to be the recipient of the Patricia Manson Fellowship Award," said Ralph. "It demonstrates the high-level of confidence the Lymphoma Foundation of Canada has in the BC Cancer Agency and is another example of the Foundation's commitment to supporting lymphoma research. This commitment is essential to advancing our work," he added.

Vancouver resident Patricia Manson began the Lymphoma Foundation in February 1998. Manson struggled with a particularly aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and eventually succumbed to the disease in May 1998. The Foundation's goals are to promote awareness of lymphoma, provide information to people with lymphoma and their supporters, and to raise funds to support lymphoma research in Canada."

"Steven's work into the genetic basis of lymphoma is extremely important research," said Tom Manson, Patricia's husband. "We hope that significant advances will be made to assist with development of improved treatments and cures for this deadly cancer."

"This is exactly the type of thing Pat was hoping for in terms of lymphoma research," Manson added.

Steven Ralph was nominated for the fellowship by BC Cancer Agency senior scientist Dr. Wan Lam. Ralph's nomination was confirmed by the Lymphoma Foundation's scientific advisory board which is comprised of noted researchers and clinicians from across the country.

Ralph, a native of Windsor, Ontario, came to British Columbia in 1996 to pursue his doctorate at the University of British Columbia under the mentorship of Dr. Victor Ling, vice-president, Research, BC Cancer Agency.

Upon completion of his graduate training, Mr. Ralph will join Dr. Wan Lam's laboratory and his fellowship will be guided by members of the Lymphoma Research Group, which consists of Dr. Joe Connors (Head of the Lymphoma Tumour Group), Dr. Richard Klasa (Medical Oncology), Dr. Randy Gascoyne (Pathology), Dr. Doug Horsman (Director of the Hereditary Cancer Program) and Dr. Wan Lam (Cancer Genetics & Developmental Biology).

The Lymphoma Foundation of Canada is a non-profit organization that relies on the support of individuals, businesses, and other professional organizations.

For more information contact Tom Manson, Lymphoma Foundation of Canada (604) 631-4725
or
www.lymphoma.ca
www.bccancer.bc.ca