Andrew Evens, DO,
MBA, MSc:
Transforming Lymphoma Research and Care
Andrew Evens, DO, MBA, MSc, a distinguished lymphoma clinician and researcher, has dedicated his career to advancing lymphoma research and care.
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Pulse
A Publication for Friends of the Lymphoma Research Foundation
Pulse is a publication of the Lymphoma Research Foundation, providing the latest updates on the Foundation and its focus on lymphoma research, awareness, and education.
The Lymphoma Research Foundation is devoted to funding innovative lymphoma research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives, and patient services.
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Pulse © 2025 Lymphoma Research Foundation
Table of Contents
Features
Andrew Evens, DO, MBA, MSc: Transforming Lymphoma
Research and Care
Andrew Evens, DO, MBA, MSc, a distinguished lymphoma clinician and researcher, has dedicated his career to advancing lymphoma research and care. As the incoming Chair of the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Evens continues to shape the future of lymphoma treatment, ensuring accessible, cutting-edge care for patients across all demographics.
Meet the 2025 Career Development Award and Postdoctoral Fellowship Research Grantees
The 13 Career Development Award and Postdoctoral Fellowship research grants include projects exploring numerous disease subtypes, including rare disease states like T-cell lymphomas, as well as novel therapeutics.
Powered by Purpose: The Hendriks’ Mission To Close Out Cancer
When Major League Baseball pitcher Liam Hendriks was diagnosed with lymphoma, he and his wife, Kristi, were thrust into a reality far more daunting than any playoff game. As Liam battled physically, Kristi navigated the heavy emotional toll of caring for someone with cancer. The couple shares what happens when life throws its hardest pitch – and you swing anyway.
From the CEO
At the Lymphoma Research Foundation, we know that the next big breakthrough, the next lifesaving treatment, the next groundbreaking cure are within our grasp – and with investment, commitment, and innovation, we can reach them together. Our belief in the future is why we’re focused on supporting the the most innovative research in our field and the next generation of experts. It’s why we’ve funded over $82.7 million in lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia research to date – it’s because we know that a world without lymphoma is possible.
You will learn more about these up-and-coming blood cancer researchers in this issue of Pulse as we introduce you to our 2025 Career Development Award (CDA) and Postdoctoral Fellowship Research Grantees. This year’s class of promising scientific minds will work to discover new treatments, blaze new trails in lymphoma research, and make real-world impacts in patient care and outcomes. We could not be more excited to see how this year’s talented grantees will break through barriers and reshape our understanding and treatment of this disease.
This issue also profiles Dr. Andrew Evens as he assumes the role of chair of the Foundation’s esteemed Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). As deputy director for Clinical Services at the Rutgers Cancer Institute and chief physician officer at the newly opened Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, Dr. Evens is committed to accessible care and improved outcomes for all those touched by lymphoma. His work has a special focus on Hodgkin lymphoma, which primarily affects young adults, and through his leadership as co-chair of the Foundation’s Adolescent and Young Adult Lymphoma Consortium, he is breaking new ground to reach this underserved patient population. As SAB chair, Dr. Evens looks to build upon his commitment to fostering collaboration by expanding the Foundation’s reach to include more community oncologists, who provide more than 80% of cancer care nationwide.
We also highlight an issue that affects young adult patients particularly: the impacts that cancer treatments can have on fertility. We explore the work that researchers are doing to address these challenges and what resources are available to help lymphoma survivors build families after treatment ends in our conversation with Foundation grantee Adam DuVall, MD, MPH, from the University of Chicago.
Finally, you’ll be introduced to Boston Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks and Foundation Director and philanthropist, Kristi Hendriks, whose world was turned upside down when Liam was diagnosed with lymphoma. Together, the couple navigated Liam’s journey from the treatment room back to the pitcher’s mound with courage, compassion, and hope.
We are united by our belief that a world without lymphoma is possible – and it is through the dedication of our community that we are getting closer to making this vision a reality. Thank you for your steadfast support and your commitment to our mission of eradicating lymphoma.
Sincerely yours,
Meghan Gutierrez Chief Executive Officer
Philanthropy in Action
2025 South Florida Golf Invitational Raises More Than $410k
On Monday, May 5, 72 golfers took a swing at lymphoma at the 2nd Annual South Florida Golf Invitational. Held at the iconic La Gorce Country Club in Miami Beach, Florida, this year’s event raised over $410k to power the Foundation’s mission as guests put their golf skills to the test and enjoyed a cocktail reception after an afternoon out on the links.
2025 Chicago Partners in Purpose Raises $168k
At the 2025 Chicago Partners in Purpose, A Scientific Social, held on Thursday, May 29 at The Casino Club in Chicago, Illinois, over 200 guests celebrated for a cause as they enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and mingled with key leaders from the lymphoma community. This year’s event, which honored Foundation grantee Adam DuVall, MD, MPH, from the University of Chicago with the Hope Award and content creator and lymphoma survivor Anthony Corrado with the Advocate Award, raised over $168k in support of the Foundation’s mission to eradicate lymphoma.
From left: Meghan Gutierrez (Foundation CEO); Michael Werner (Foundation Board Member) and his wife, Laura; Alison Zirn (generous supporter); Sonali Smith, MD (Past-Chair, Scientific Advisory Board); and Scott Greenberg (generous supporter).
From left: John Leonard, MD (Past-Chair, Scientific Advisory Board and Foundation Board Member); Patricio Ureta; Martin Ureta; and Tim Connors.
CHICAGO LYMPHOMA WALK
July 27, 2025 | Montrose Harbor Grove 16
8:30am Registration | 10:00am Walk Start
CHICAGO LYMPHOMA WALK
CHICAGO LYMPHOMA WALK
July 27, 2025 | Montrose Harbor Grove 16
Walk To Cure Lymphoma
July 27, 2025 | Montrose Harbor Grove 16
8:30am Registration | 10:00am Walk Start
Walk
Start a team or register as an individual. Set a fundraising goal and ask your network to support your efforts.
8:30am Registration | 10:00am Walk Start
Partner Volunteer
Walk To Cure Lymphoma
Walk To Cure Lymphoma
Walk
Start a team or register as an individual Set a fundraising goal and ask your network to support your efforts.
Walk
Businesses can sponsor or form teams to receive great benefits and team building opportunities.
Partner Volunteer
Partner Volunteer
Start a team or register as an individual Set a fundraising goal and ask your network to support your efforts.
Businesses can sponsor or form teams to receive great benefits and team building opportunities.
Contact events@lymphoma.org for more information
Businesses can sponsor or form teams to receive great benefits and team building opportunities.
Join us to eradicate lymphoma All funds raised through the event support life-changing research and patient programs.
Contact events@lymphoma.org for more information
Contact events@lymphoma.org for more information
Join us to eradicate lymphoma. All funds raised through the event support life-changing research and patient programs.
Join us to eradicate lymphoma All funds raised through the event support life-changing research and patient programs.
Harmony
and Hope in Adversity:
Bob McAuley’s Lymphoma Journey and Fundraising Legacy
When Bob McAuley, 64, first noticed a lump on his neck nearly 16 years ago, he didn’t realize his life was about to change or how much lymphoma would be a part of it. On Valentine’s Day in 2009, McAuley was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma (FL) –a diagnosis that came as a shock.
”When I was first diagnosed, I had never even heard of lymphoma,” McAuley said. “I’m not really a stand-by-andwait kind of guy and prefer to take the bull by the horns, so I decided to learn everything I could about it, and I became a student of my particular disease.”
Within two weeks of his diagnosis, McAuley found his way to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, which led him to connect with Bruce D. Cheson, MD, FACP, FAAAS, FASCO, at Georgetown University Hospital and past chair of the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Cheson became McAuley’s lymphoma specialist, and the two hit it off from the start.
“The first time I met Dr. Cheson, he walked into the room and asked if I could ride a bike. And I was like, ‘ride a bike? I have cancer! I’m here to see you because I’m dying,’” said McAuley. “But Dr. Cheson responded, ‘OK, that’s great because I do this bike ride fundraiser for the Lymphoma Research Foundation, and you should do it.’”
Instead of dwelling on his diagnosis, McAuley found himself signing up for the Lymphoma Research Ride and raising $100,000, which ignited his competitive side. He trained so intensely for what he thought was a race that he accidentally rode far more than the planned 25-mile course.
“I’m so stupidly competitive that I thought it was a bike race, not a bike ride,” he laughed. “So, I trained for a race and got through the first 12 miles so fast I was lapping the other riders, and they didn’t change the signs, so I ended up doing the course again.”
Rallying His Community Around Lymphoma
Now calling Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, home, McAuley lives with his wife of 42 years, Laura, in what he describes as an “incredibly communal” neighborhood where he has centered his fundraising efforts.
“It’s one of those communities where literally everybody knows everybody,” he said. “We gather all the time and are constantly doing things as a neighborhood and as friends looking out for each other.”
This community support became especially important when his neighbor and close friend John was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma about four years ago. Drawing on his own experience with the disease, McAuley helped connect John with lymphoma specialists at the University of Virginia, who were able to get John’s lymphoma under control.
“When we knew John was going to be OK, I had lunch with him one day, and I told him I wanted to do something to raise awareness about lymphoma,” McAuley said.
“I asked if he would mind if I made him the poster child of an event because he was so connected in the community.”
With John’s blessing, McAuley reached out to Tim Reith, the owner of Mango’s Bar & Grill, a local bar and restaurant, to ask if they would be willing to donate space for a fundraising event. His response was an affirmative “Absolutely!”
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Without the help from an amazing organizing committee of neighbors, friends, and family members, McAuley would not have been able to produce the first Harmony4Hope Music Festival in 2023. Since there was not even three months of planning, the results surpassed everyone’s expectations, and the proceeds benefited the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
“We went into this with no expectations and had good friends of ours coming in from Indiana, Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia to attend the event,” McAuley said. “And in the first year, we raised $108,000, with honestly no idea what we were doing.”
In 2024, with more organization and planning, they set a second-year fundraising goal of $250,000 and exceeded it by $2,000.
This year, the event grew into a six-hour music festival featuring multiple bands throughout the day. Country, rock, and folk musician Jason Long, whose father passed away from lymphoma, opens the show each year. Kimberley Dahme, a former bass player of the rock band Boston, and a lymphoma survivor, headlined the show in 2023 and 2024. This year, Martin and Kelly, rising stars from Nashville, headlined, and were joined on stage by Dr. Cheson, performing crowd pleasers including Sweet Home Alabama and Country Roads.
Activities included “raise the paddle” auctions, 50/50 raffles, and auctioning off guitars signed by the artists. McAuley proudly points out that the event has almost zero overhead costs.
“Every dollar goes to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, with minimal overhead,” he said.
A Growing Impact
What began as a single fundraiser has revealed the extent of lymphoma’s presence in their community.
“We now have nine people connected with our community with the disease or who have lost people in their lives to lymphoma,” McAuley said. “In our local Thursday night dinner group, where we have roughly anywhere from 20 to 30 people at dinner on any given night, three of us have lymphoma.”
This growing awareness has turned Harmony4Hope into an invaluable resource for newly diagnosed patients.
“Harmony4Hope is designed to help those who have been touched by lymphoma and to let them know that they are not alone with this disease,” said McAuley. “There are people here to support you and help guide you.”
A Vision for the Future
As a longtime member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors (BOD), McAuley has a broad and ambitious vision for Harmony4Hope.
“I’d like my legacy to be duplicating Harmony4Hope around the country with the support of other Foundation board members,” he said. “We have a proof of concept, and if it works in little bitty Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, it can pretty much work anywhere. It would be cool to have a Harmony4Hope Day and have 20 or 30 cities put on their own Harmony4Hope concerts.”
For McAuley, the Lymphoma Research Foundation has been central to his own lymphoma journey and his successful fundraising efforts.
“The Foundation is a security blanket for people in the midst of their worst nightmare,” he said. “I truly believe that lymphoma will one day be a curable disease. There’s such incredible science taking place behind the scenes that people don’t know about yet.”
McAuley’s advice for those newly diagnosed with lymphoma: “Reach out to the Lymphoma Research Foundation and find people who have lived with your disease. Lymphoma survivors are the beacon of hope and life for this disease –at least they were for me.”
To learn more about and donate to Harmony4Hope, visit lymphoma.org/harmony4hope
I’d like my legacy to be duplicating Harmony4Hope around the country with the support of other Foundation board members.
Protect the Next Generation of Lymphoma/CLL Investigators
Proposed Federal
Policy
Shifts Threaten the Future of Cancer Research – Especially for Rare Diseases Like Lymphoma and CLL
Lymphoma research has long been a catalyst for innovation across the field of oncology. Yet, because lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are considered rare diseases, they have historically received less federal research funding when compared to other disease states. Now, that gap may widen.
Proposed changes to agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could stall vital progress – jeopardizing care, discovery, and hope for the lymphoma community. These cuts don’t just slow progress, they also threaten researchers’ careers.
Early career scientists, the very pipeline to tomorrow’s cures, are at risk. Job offers are being rescinded. Projects are stalled. Mentorship and training opportunities are reduced. Once lost, these researchers may not return to careers in lymphoma research.
That’s Why Your Support Is More Critical Than Ever
Despite federal uncertainty, the Lymphoma Research Foundation remains committed to advancing lifesaving research, supporting the next generation of lymphoma experts and serving every person touched by this disease. To that end, the Foundation is announcing the creation of the Early Career Investigator Fund
Your Gift Today May Be the Key to Unlocking Tomorrow’s Cures
By making a gift to support our Early Career Investigator Fund today, you will help ensure that the Foundation can fully support its world-class mentoring programs and early-career grants for the next generation of lymphoma and CLL experts.
Thanks to your continued generosity, we can keep moving forward. Together, we can protect progress, empower researchers, and push toward a world without lymphoma.
Visit giving.lymphoma.org/research to support the future of lymphoma research today!
2025 Fundraise Your Way Awards
Each year, volunteers across the country turn their talents and interests into unique fundraising events through the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Fundraise Your Way program. From bake sales to bike rides, supporters are helping the Foundation work toward improved treatments and cures for lymphoma.
On March 13, 2025, Foundation staff and supporters joined together to celebrate dedicated Fundraise Your Way volunteers during the third annual Fundraise Your Way Awards. Fundraisers were honored in categories including Rookie of the Year, Most Innovative Fundraiser, Walk Team of the Year, and Endurance Athlete of the Year.
Congratulations and thank you to all of our 2025 nominees and winners!
Rookie of the Year
This award is presented to an inaugural fundraiser who has made a significant impact in support of the Foundation’s mission to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease.
Winners:
Delta Kappa Epsilon, Phi Gamma, Syracuse University Spike It for Lymphoma
Nominees: Elena, Francesco & Friends
The Money Jar Club
Fenner Precision Polymers
Fenner’s Kickball Tournament
Most Innovative Fundraiser
From backyard parties to ugly sweater sales, there’s a way to turn fun into fundraising. Here’s to celebrating thinking outside of the box.
Winner: Jo Garfein
Cancer Gets Lost
Nominees:
Heritage Grove Middle School NJHS Small Change Makes a Big Difference
Omega Delta, Northeastern Illinois University Taco Thursday
Social Media Leadership
Awarded to an exceptional communicator who networks for good – thank you for sharing your story to bring hope to everyone impacted by a diagnosis
Winners:
Robert & Ava Flutie
New York City
Marathon
Nominees:
Becky Scott
Atlantic City Marathon
Ralph Klein Facebook Birthday Fundraiser
Walk Team of the Year
This award celebrates outstanding and creative fundraising for one of the Foundation’s Lymphoma Walks (Chicago, New York, and Minneapolis).
Winner:
Ilyse Leibowitz
Sunshine Seekers: New York Lymphoma Walk
Nominees:
Maria Mac, Mac ‘n Sweets Gourmet
Chicago Lymphoma Walk
Ashley Karr, Shlay Strong
Chicago Lymphoma Walk
Endurance Athlete of the Year
From first-time marathoners to IRONMAN champions, the Foundation is proud to have teams compete in endurance events worldwide, including the Los Angeles Marathon, the New York Marathon, and the IRONMAN World Championships.
Fundraiser of the Year
Winner: Jared Lake
New York City Marathon
Nominees:
Charlotte Thorndike
New York City Marathon
Kenneth Wilson
Disney Wine & Dine 10k
This award is presented to a top fundraising event that is making the future of cancer research possible.
Honoree:
Chef Bernard James & Team
Miss Caribbean Los Angeles
Chuck Papanos Legacy Award
This special honor is given annually to an individual who embodies Chuck’s mantra: “Doing Nothing Is Not an Option.”
Honoree: Nancy Josephson Boo to Lymphoma
Lifetime Achievement Award
A truly standout accomplishment, this award is presented to recognize a dedicated supporter whose efforts over many years are unparalleled.
Honoree: Grassfield High School Laps for Lymphoma
Corporate Champion of the Year
This award is proudly presented to a philanthropic partner who sets a high bar for all-star generosity.
Honoree: Mattress Firm
Join Us For The 9 p.m.
Oct 24
The Bowery Hotel
Tickets on Sale At:
Join New York’s leading young philanthropists to celebrate the latest advancements in lymphoma research and patient care and the dedicated individuals and institutions who help make this possible. Guests will enjoy live music, gourmet bites and cocktails from local partners, a silent auction, and much more! Lymphoma.org/EmergingPhilanthropists
Morton Coleman, MD Innovation Fund Surpasses $1 Million Goal
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Lymphoma Research Foundation community, the Foundation has officially reached – and surpassed –the $1 million fundraising goal for the Morton Coleman, MD Innovation Fund.
Dr. Morton Coleman is a world-renowned and highly respected medical oncologist with nearly 60 years of experience in the field, specializing in the treatment of patients with lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia. In 2023, the Foundation established the Morton Coleman, MD Innovation Fund to honor Dr. Coleman’s exceptional contributions to lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) research as well as his enduring commitment to patient care.
“I am immensely humbled and excited to have the Morton Coleman, MD Innovation Fund as my permanent legacy at the Lymphoma Research Foundation, an organization that has been close to my heart for decades,” said Dr. Coleman. “I extend my sincere gratitude for the recognition and generosity lent by patients, care partners, and friends to make this possible.”
I am immensely humbled and excited to have the Morton Coleman, MD Innovation Fund as my permanent legacy at the Lymphoma Research Foundation, an organization that has been close to my heart for decades.
Gifts to accelerate the impact of the Morton Coleman, MD Innovation Fund continue to be accepted. These ongoing gifts will help accelerate the Fund’s impact – supporting innovative research, advancing patient care, and expanding educational initiatives that reflect Dr. Coleman’s lifelong dedication to his patients and the pursuit of cures.
Contact Lynne Winter at lwinter@lymphoma.org to learn more.
The funds raised will be directed toward key scientific priorities, beginning with the appointment of Dustin McCurry, MD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, as the inaugural Morton Coleman, MD Innovation Fund Scholar through the Foundation’s Lymphoma Scientific Research Mentoring Program (LSRMP). Dr. McCurry’s research will focus on leveraging immunogenomics to develop targeted therapies for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
We are also excited to share that even after reaching this remarkable milestone, contributions to the Fund continue to be received. These gifts will help accelerate the Fund’s impact – supporting innovative research and scientific initiatives that reflect Dr. Coleman’s lifelong dedication to his patients and the pursuit of cures.
The Foundation would like to thank the donors whose philanthropic support is making the Morton Coleman, MD Innovation Fund possible.
Andrew Evens, DO, MBA, MSc: Transforming Lymphoma Research and Care
Andrew Evens, DO, MBA, MSc, is not only a leading lymphoma clinician but also a trailblazer in lymphoma research, helping to bridge the gap in adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology among other lymphoma initiatives and unmet needs. Dr. Evens is the incoming chair of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) for the Lymphoma Research Foundation, and his innovative research at the Rutgers Cancer Institute is uncovering crucial insights into the treatment of young adult lymphoma patients. With a focus on understanding why survival rates for AYA have lagged behind those of other age groups, Dr. Evens is positioned at the forefront of transforming the landscape of lymphoma care.
From Relocations to Research: The Early Years That Shaped Dr. Evens’ Career
The son of two pharmacists in Buffalo, New York, Dr. Evens relocated with his family frequently during his childhood due to his father’s career in the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry.
“I went to three different high schools in four years,” Dr. Evens said. “As hard as it was in the moment, I think it forced me to learn how to be agile in different and unfamiliar situations, which has served me well throughout my medical career.”
Dr. Evens was a natural athlete, and basketball quickly became his anchor and entry point into building lasting friendships with classmates in new schools. His athleticism combined with his academic prowess earned him a scholarship to St. Joseph’s College in Indiana, where he was named a Bill Bradley Academic All-American. However, it was his early exposure to the biotech world through his father’s work that ignited his interest in medical research. Dr. Evens spent a couple of summers diving into scientific research at the company where his father worked, drawing him to the power of scientific discovery. While he initially began a PhD program, his desire to work directly with patients led him to medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Evens is now one of the leading voices in lymphoma research and treatment, and his unique combination of scientific curiosity, compassionate patient care, and personal perseverance is shaping the future of lymphoma care for a population in need.
Leadership and Innovation in Research and Patient Care
In the early 2000s, Dr. Evens completed his fellowship in hematology/oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago, Illinois, where he also remained as a faculty member for 11 years. While completing his fellowship, precision medicine in oncology was just emerging, which made it a particularly exciting time to be studying lymphoma.
“Although still in its early stages, it was clear there were burgeoning opportunities to harness precision medicine and, in particular, targeted therapeutics,” he said. “The blood cancers led the way initially, and we began looking at the most innovative targeted therapeutics to use, which hadn’t been done before.”
The blood cancers led the way initially, and we began looking at the most innovative targeted therapeutics to use, which hadn’t been done before.
Under the mentorship of Leo Gordon, MD, past chair and longtime member of the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Dr. Evens developed his passion for lymphoma research.
“Dr. Gordon’s brilliance and his compassion as a bedside clinician were part of what initially drew me to the study of lymphoma,” he said.
Dr. Evens went on to serve as the director of the Cancer Center at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, chief of their division of hematology/oncology, and professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Today, Dr. Evens is the Deputy Director for Clinical Services of the Rutgers Cancer Institute; and Chief Physician Officer of the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, New Jersey’s only freestanding hospital; System Director of Medical Oncology and Oncology Lead for the Combined Medical Group of RWJBarnabas Health; and Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Innovation and Data Analytics
within Rutgers Health at Rutgers University. With so many hats, Dr. Evens splits his time between patient care, clinical research, and healthcare administration. He is particularly excited about the opening of the new cancer hospital, which is one of fewer than 15 freestanding cancer hospitals in the United States with all pediatric and adult cancer care under one roof, and the only one in New Jersey.
“We spared no expense in the creation of this cancer center,” Dr. Evens said with pride. “It’s an incredible facility and a true national destination center.” The facility features inpatient and outpatient multidisciplinary care; state-ofthe-art operating suites; the most advanced radiation treatment available, with four linear accelerators; a modern gymnasium with physical therapy; a patient boutique and healing garden; and ten high-impact translational research laboratories.
Still, for all his excitement about the new center, Dr. Evens remains committed to a principle of accessible care, as the Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBH catchment includes the entire state of New Jersey: “Cancer doesn’t travel well for many patients. Our goal is to keep cancer care close to home.” He helps lead oncology services for the RWJBH system, where they have more than 275 employed oncologists and 100 oncology advanced practice practitioners across 15 acute care hospitals and more than 30 ambulatory cancer practices across the state. RWJBH is also actively building two additional freestanding ambulatory cancer facilities in Livingston and Tinton Falls, New Jersey.
Solving the Mystery of Young Adult Lymphoma
A significant focus of Dr. Evens’ ongoing research is AYA lymphoma and the unmet needs of this patient population. Every year, nearly 70,000 AYAs in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer. Despite advances in therapy development, the survival of AYA cancer patients is still more challenging than in children and older adults. Lymphomas are responsible for nearly 1 in 5 cancer diagnoses among AYA patients, defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as patients aged 15 to 39 years. Research suggests that while survival rates have improved across most age groups over the past 20 years, progress with young adult survival rates has been slower.
“The survival increases have lagged for AYA lymphoma. They are much less robust in younger patients than AYAs, and even compared with patients in their 40s and 50s who have seen greater benefits. And we don’t yet know why,” Dr. Evens explains. “Is it different biology? Is it social and access factors? There’s still so much more to learn.”
Dr. Evens is the founding co-principal investigator with pediatric oncologist Dr. Susan Parsons for NIH-funded global initiative called HoLISTIC (Hodgkin Lymphoma International Study for Individual Care). This project has convened more than 80 of the world’s clinical, epidemiologic, and decision science experts to harmonize and analyze data from more than 30,000 Hodgkin lymphoma patients from a multitude of seminal clinical trials and long-term cancer registries conducted worldwide over the past 20 years.
The Foundation provides funding for critical breakthroughs at multiple levels, whether in clinical care, epidemiology, or translational research.
The goal of the initiative is to develop decision models that can provide personalized treatment recommendations to patients and providers based on unique and individualized patient characteristics and disease factors.
“In today’s world, we often have a presumption of which treatment is best based on a general amalgamation of heterogeneous data,” he said. “But we look forward to developing sophisticated and dynamic computer models based on granular data across varied treatment options that predict the likely acute outcomes and survival rates as well as estimate the risk of post-acute and late effects based on thousands of previously treated patients across different treatment options.”
This work is particularly important for Hodgkin lymphoma patients, about 70% of whom are young adults. While there have been successful treatments for the last 40 years, treatments can cause serious long-term side effects, including heart disease, lung disease, and secondary cancers. Better predictive models could help patients and physicians choose treatments that not only target their cancer but also concurrently minimize these long-term risks.
In addition to his consortium’s AYA research, Dr. Evens has been instrumental in spearheading the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s AYA initiatives.
Recognizing the unmet need of AYAs with lymphoma, the Lymphoma Research Foundation, with the ongoing support of founding sponsor The Paul Foundation, began an initiative to engage and support the AYA research community, patients, and their families. In 2015, the Foundation hosted its first AYA Symposium, bringing together clinicians and scientists from both pediatric and adult oncology disciplines to assess the state of AYA lymphoma research, identify key gaps, and explore the unique challenges and treatment burdens faced by this population. Traditionally, pediatric and adult oncologists have worked in separate silos – treating patients under 18 and those over 18, respectively. This gap in collaboration prompted the creation of the inaugural AYA Lymphoma Consortium Scientific Workshop in May 2019. The momentum continued with the second AYA Consortium Scientific Workshop in June 2022 in Jersey City, New Jersey, where the focus was on advancing research and clinical developments aligned with the priorities set in 2019. Building on this progress, the AYA Lymphoma Consortium was officially established in fall 2023, with Dr. Andrew Evens and fellow Foundation SAB member Kara Kelly, MD, serving as co-chairs of the consortium’s executive committee.
To address these questions, the Foundation formed the inaugural AYA Lymphoma Consortium in 2019, bringing together the leading experts from pediatric and adult oncology to focus on advancing the study of AYA lymphomas and improving treatments and care for this patient population, from the point of diagnosis through long-term survival.
“Before the Foundation took the leadership role in forming this AYA effort and ultimately, this consortium, the medical community had very divergent views and also different clinical trials for how we treat the same diseases,” Dr. Evens said. “Working together to align these efforts is critical. The Foundation has done an amazing job of engendering that collaboration, not just across cancer centers but between adult and pediatric lymphoma experts, to develop harmonized recommendations for treatment and survivorship care.”
Under Dr. Evens’ and Dr. Kelly’s leadership, the Foundation hosted its third AYA Scientific Workshop and Consortium meeting in March 2025, with nearly 100 members in attendance.
“I’m honored to help lead this vital consortium and am excited to see what we can continue to accomplish together as a collaborative and cross-disciplinary group to improve acute and long-term outcomes for AYAs impacted by these cancers.”
A Relationship With the Foundation 20
Years in the Making
Dr. Evens’ relationship with the Lymphoma Research Foundation spans more than 20 years, beginning during his fellowship at Northwestern. His mentor, Dr. Gordon, was already involved with the Foundation, and Dr. Evens quickly became engaged with the organization’s work and mission to eradicate lymphoma.
Dr. Evens helped establish the Foundation’s first Lymphoma Rounds program in Chicago – a professional education event that provides a forum for local practicing physicians from academic and community medical centers to meet on a regular basis and address issues specific to the diagnosis and treatment of their lymphoma patients –and later brought the concept to New England when he moved to Boston. He has co-chaired the Foundation’s North American Educational Forum twice, helped to lead the Foundation’s Lymphoma Scientific Research Mentoring Program (LSRMP), and served as grand marshal of the Foundation’s New York Lymphoma Walk in 2019.
“I’ve always been a convener, bringing diverse groups of people together to achieve a common goal,” Dr. Evens said. “And that’s how I view the Foundation – the ultimate
convener, where they organically and strategically bring stakeholders together that often become synergistic to serve a common purpose, which is more discoveries, better treatments, and improved outcomes for children and adults with lymphoma.”
In July, Dr. Evens will assume the role of chair of the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, an honor he describes as both exciting and inspiring.
“The esteemed members of the Scientific Advisory Board are among the top lymphoma experts in their specialties in North America and Canada,” he said. “It’s an honor to endorse the mission of the Foundation, which is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those impacted by this blood cancer.”
As government funding for medical research becomes uncertain, Dr. Evens emphasizes the critical importance of organizations like the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
“We would not be able to do the level of cuttingedge lymphoma research without funding vis-à-vis the Lymphoma Research Foundation,” he said. “The Foundation provides funding for critical breakthroughs at multiple levels, whether in clinical care, epidemiology, or translational research.”
The Road Ahead
For patients and families affected by lymphoma, the AYA Lymphoma Consortium offers opportunities to contribute to advancing research and care.
“There’s still a lot of opportunities to get involved, whether it’s donating money or time or sharing a perspective, new ideas, and your personal lymphoma journey to help other patients down the road,” Dr. Evens said.
As he assumes leadership of the Scientific Advisory Board and continues his work with HoLISTIC and the AYA consortium, Dr. Evens remains committed to collaboration. From the basketball court to the matrix cancer center and health system, his ability to bring diverse perspectives together continues to drive progress in the fight against lymphoma.
Looking to the future, Dr. Evens also hopes to expand the Foundation’s reach to include more community oncologists, who provide more than 80% of cancer care in the United States, and to continue addressing the important issues in lymphoma research and treatment.
There’s still a lot of opportunities to get involved, whether it’s donating money or time or sharing a perspective, new ideas, and your personal lymphoma journey to help other patients down the road.
“The Lymphoma Research Foundation is the world’s leading authority on lymphoma science, clinical care, education, and health equity,” said Dr. Evens. “I’m excited to lead the Scientific Advisory Board and find new ways to leverage our collective intelligence and to serve as the ultimate convener when it comes to lymphoma research and patient care.”
Where Are They Now? Priyanka Pophali, MBBS
Priyanka Pophali, MBBS, is a faculty member in the Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology, and Palliative Care at the University of Wisconsin.
When did you become interested in the study of medicine? In lymphoma specifically?
I grew up with parents who are both physicians, and witnessing their passion for medicine firsthand drew me into medicine. My mother is an anesthesiologist and critical care specialist and my father is a hematologist-oncologist both still practicing in Nagpur, India. I tagged along with my father to a lot of hematology conferences while in medical school, so my interest in hematology started early. It was during residency at the Cleveland Clinic and then fellowship at the Mayo Clinic that I narrowed my clinical and research interest to lymphoma through clinical experiences and work with my early mentors, Dr. Brian Hill and Dr. Carrie Thompson. Lymphomas are so diverse in their biology, presenting symptoms, ages affected, treatment options, and prognosis. I have been interested in survivorship research since working with Dr. Minoo Battiwalla at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) prior to residency, and the field of lymphoma offered many opportunities to improve the survivorship experience for patients living with and beyond their lymphoma diagnosis.
At what point in your career did you receive funding from the Lymphoma Research Foundation? What kind of grant(s) did you receive?
I received the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s then Lymphoma Clinical Research Mentoring Program (LCRMP, now LSRMP) award in 2018 while I was in my final year of hem/onc fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. The award supported my work during advanced fellowship training in lymphoma and the transition to my first year on faculty at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
What scientific project did you pursue as part of your Foundation research grant(s), and how did the Foundation support your interest in cancer survivorship?
The project that was supported by the Foundation grant was titled “Impact of Health Behaviors on Outcomes in Lymphoma Survivors: A Prospective Database and Pilot Intervention Study.” The database portion of the study led to two manuscripts, and the pilot study was published as an online abstract as a part of the ASCO meeting. We showed that physical activity is associated with lymphoma-specific survival and health behaviors such as physical activity and smoking are significantly associated with quality of life for lymphoma survivors. Our pilot study results supported the feasibility of exercise prescription to improve physical activity for lymphoma survivors. The ability to conduct this research consolidated my interest in lymphoma survivorship, and the Foundation has supported me not just through funding but also by connecting me with lymphoma and survivorship experts across the country. I have continued to work in cancer survivorship and recently took on the role of director of the Cancer Survivorship Research Program at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
How has the treatment landscape for lymphoma/CLL changed since you first started conducting your research?
There have been so many exciting developments in the treatment landscape for lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) since I entered the field. New agents such as antibody drug conjugates, checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted small molecules are being used for the frontline treatment of lymphomas/CLL. For relapsed lymphoma, we are using CAR T, bispecific antibodies, and novel agents for an increasing number of lymphoma types. As our patients
with lymphoma live longer with these newer treatments, it becomes even more important that we address long-term and late effects from these treatments, which currently are unknown. So, survivorship research addressing the longterm impact of newer treatments on our patients and their quality of life remains paramount.
Was the support and grant funding you received from the Foundation vital to advancing/ dedicating your career to studying lymphoma?
Absolutely! I truly believe that participating in the Lymphoma Scientific Research Mentoring Program (LSRMP) program has been vital to my career in lymphoma. I received not just feedback on my research project but also career mentorship and built (what I hope) are lifelong connections with peers and pioneers in the field.
As treatments improve and the number of lymphoma survivors continues to increase, why is survivorship research so important?
Survivorship is about preparing and supporting our patients for the rest of their lives after a lymphoma diagnosis. As we use newer treatments for our patients, the truth is we don’t know what to expect for them in the future 5, 10, 15, 20 years or even decades later. Survivorship research aims to identify the impacts of lymphoma and its treatments on an individual’s life and interventions to make it better. This includes physical, psychological, social, and functional changes that can impact their quality of life in the short and long term. So as our treatments change, our understanding of survivorship and guidance for survivors needs to keep up, and thus survivorship research will always remain important.
How has technology impacted survivorship today?
Technology has affected all aspects of our lives, and as with everything, there are pros and cons to using technology as a tool for survivorship. The advantages are in collecting data from patients (patient-reported outcomes) electronically for researchers, for patients to keep track of their health needs and medical appointments, and for ease of communicating with the healthcare team. The disadvantages are the prevalence of misinformation, particularly from social media, but if used well, technology has the potential to revolutionize survivorship care. For example, we attempted to use a document called a survivorship care plan to inform patients and primary care physicians of follow-up needs in survivorship but learned that it was not very effective, as it was a static tool and limited by what we knew at the time the document was created. There are ongoing studies to develop electronic tools within the health record or mobile applications that can keep track of and update survivorship guidance for our patients.
How has your involvement with the Foundation continued since being a Scholar? How has being involved in the Foundation’s scientific meetings impacted your career?
Since my time as an LSRMP Scholar, I have remained involved with the Foundation through participating in Foundation patient education programs in person and virtually. I have attended the Foundation’s Survivorship Scientific Workshop as well as the AYA Scientific Workshops. I am also a member of the Foundation’s AYA Consortium. These scientific meetings have provided avenues to discuss current research gaps, identify priorities, and focus research efforts. I look forward to my continued engagement with the Foundation’s programs as I grow in my career as a lymphoma survivorship researcher.
Why is the Foundation’s mission and focus on lymphoma-specific research and programming important? Put another way: How would the lymphoma community be impacted if there was no Lymphoma Research Foundation?
The Lymphoma Research Foundation’s work to support lymphoma-specific research through grant mechanisms, scientific workshops, and mentorship programs has been particularly important for early-career investigators such as myself whose careers have benefited greatly by working with the Foundation. I often refer patients to the patient education programs, peer mentoring, and online resources that the Foundation offers, and I know many patients appreciate having the support. Additionally, the Foundation’s advocacy to help maintain research funding is crucial to continue to support lymphomaspecific research.
What research or projects are you currently pursuing that you would like to share with our readers?
As the newly appointed director, I am currently working on expanding the efforts and reach of the survivorship research program at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison. This effort is not limited to lymphoma but includes all cancer types. A couple of projects that I am excited about are nurse navigatorled survivorship care transition visits for patients after allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplant and CAR T and geriatric assessment-based interventions for older patients undergoing intensive therapies that would include pre-habilitation interventions.
What are you most excited about in the field of lymphoma research today? Why?
I am most excited about the variety of treatment options available and emerging for our patients with lymphoma to meet their treatment goals as well as the increasing recognition and emphasis on quality of life in both clinical care and research.
Meet the 2025 Career Development Award Winners and Postdoctoral Fellowship Research Grantees
The Lymphoma Research Foundation announced its 2025 grant class – 24 research grants awarded, including three Career Development Award (CDA) and ten Postdoctoral Fellowship grants, to scientists based at many of the world’s leading cancer research institutions – totaling $2.7 million in innovative lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) research.
The 2025 grantee class encompasses 16 medical and academic institutions, with research initiatives investigating a range of lymphoma subtypes and scientific disciplines, including CAR T-cell therapy, microenvironment analysis, and treatments for relapsed/refractory patients. The grant selection process is led by the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which is made up of 45 international lymphoma experts dedicated to seeking out the most innovative and promising lymphoma research projects for investment. Since its inception, the Foundation has made major contributions to the lymphoma research enterprise, awarding more than 500 research grants totaling more than $82.7 million.
Clinical Career Development Award (CDA)
Paola Ghione, MD Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Skin infections and bacterial colonization are known to play an important role in the development and severity of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs). Topical treatments, including beach baths and antiseptic creams, are sometimes used in CTCL and can improve the appearance of skin lesions, but it’s not clear what effect they have on the microbiome of tumors and beyond. “In this proposal, we aim to study the effects of topical antiseptics on CTCL intratumoral and gut microbiome to understand whether these treatments are advantageous,” explains Dr. Ghione. “This study will also provide valuable information to study how CTCL develops and potentially new personalized treatments for people with CTCL.”
“My fascination with the diversity of lymphomas and their myriad biological mechanisms began as a medical student at the University of Torino in Italy, where in the last two years of medical school, I joined the molecular biology laboratory, gaining hands-on experience in some exciting genetic techniques,” Dr. Ghione explains. “The pace of the lymphoma research now makes these technologies a bit old-fashioned. When I realized, during my clinical hematology training and later on as a lymphoma advanced fellow, that the same pace of discovery applied to treatment and outcomes of the patients, I fell in love.”
Dr. Ghione is currently an assistant attending in the lymphoma service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “My favorite thing and what brings me the highest inspiration, is to accompany my patients through challenges. I learn a lot from their experiences,” she says. “My goal is to lead an independent clinical and translational research program to expand knowledge, optimize care, and improve the quality of life in people with lymphoma.”
Jordan Goldstein, MD Leland Stanford Junior University
Despite effective options for first-line treatment, many people with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) still experience relapse. Novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies are often used after relapse in DLBCL, and evidence suggests that outcomes and experiences with these treatments are best in people with lower levels of lymphoma cells. Dr. Goldstein’s work, therefore, seeks to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CAR T-cell therapy earlier in the course of treatment for patients with residual disease after initial first-line therapy. “This strategy has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce toxicity by identifying patients, via blood test, who are highly likely to relapse and administering CAR T-cell therapy immediately after chemotherapy at a time of low tumor burden,” he explains.
Dr. Goldstein is a postdoctoral clinical fellow in hematology and oncology at Stanford University and a 2024 Lymphoma Research Foundation Scientific Mentoring Program (LSRMP) Scholar. “Early in medical school at Emory University, I developed a particular interest in blood cancers, motivated by the complex biology, range of treatments, and amazing and diverse patient population,” he says. “I was fortunate to work with an outstanding mentor who inspired me to focus on lymphoma clinical and translational research.” His commitment to lymphoma research is driven by his personal experiences with his lymphoma patients as well as family members who have been diagnosed with cancer. “These personal connections have further reinforced my belief and motivation to invest in research that can enhance our understanding of biology and treatments for lymphoma,” he says. “I dedicate myself to lymphoma research with the goal of improving outcomes for my patients and loved ones.”
With the support of the Foundation’s Clinical Career Development Award, Dr. Goldstein hopes to develop his expertise as a lymphoma researcher, focusing on using novel computational techniques to improve patient care. “I aspire to make treatment more effective and clinical trials and practice more efficient for patients,” he says.
Robert Stuver, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL) is an aggressive T-cell lymphoma that primarily occurs in young adults. Many patients can be cured with chemotherapy, but if the disease is resistant or relapses, the prognosis is poor. “We have identified two unique vulnerabilities in ALK+ ALCL that can be targeted with oral treatments,” explains Dr. Stuver. With the support of the Foundation’s Clinical Career Development Award, he plans to test the efficacy of these therapies to support long-lasting remissions or cures in relapsed or refractory disease. “If effective, these results lay the framework for testing these strategies in all patients to increase the curability of this disease,” he says.
Dr. Stuver completed his medical training at SUNY Upstate Medical University in New York. He is currently an assistant attending in the lymphoma service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he hopes to establish himself as a physician-scientist in lymphoma research focusing on T-cell lymphomas. “I want to develop clinical trials for patients with these rare, often understudied diseases and continue to partner with scientific collaborators to inform new treatments,” he says. “I hope that over the next decade I can continue to help more patients and move the lymphoma research field forward through dedicated, thoughtful action and research.”
“I am thrilled to be supported by the Lymphoma Research Foundation and the mission that this foundation stands for,” Dr. Stuver adds. “The ability to connect with this collaborative and unified group of experts and advocates is critical to the success of this project. In addition, having an early career development grant will help shape my early career development as a young physician and researcher and enable my ongoing development toward independence.”
Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant
Pantaleo De Simone, MD
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive and often incurable form of lymphoma. An improved understanding of DLBCL biology is needed to identify potential treatment strategies, and Dr. De Simone’s research aims to uncover novel targets in this disease. “We have recently discovered a new way whereby errors in specific DNA regions called super-enhancers (SEs), which control the expression of important genes, hijack fundamental activities of normal cells and favor their malignant transformation,” he explains. “The goal of my project is to study how highly frequent DNA errors in the SE of the BTG2 gene derail its function, with the potential to reveal novel mechanisms of lymphoma development and new potential targets for therapy.”
Dr. De Simone’s interest in oncology and hematology began early in his medical career, when he was completing his medical training at San Raffaele University School of Medicine in Milan, Italy. “When I first saw blood cells under a microscope, I was immediately fascinated by the complexity and beauty of the hematopoietic system,” he says. “From that moment on, the desire to better understand the mechanisms that regulate this delicate system was the driving force for my subsequent choices and brought me to enroll in the residency program in hematology at the University of Milan.” It was during those years when he became drawn to a career in lymphoma research, which led him to his current position as a postdoctoral research scientist studying the molecular genetics of lymphoma at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York.
“Research on lymphomas has seen an unprecedented acceleration in recent years,” Dr. De Simone says. “I am still convinced, however, that many aspects of lymphoma genetics have yet to be uncovered, including new mechanisms that regulate the expression of important genes that ultimately lead to lymphomagenesis. Understanding these mechanisms could represent a good opportunity to advance the diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma.” With the support of the Foundation’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant, Dr. De Simone is hopeful that his research will reveal new opportunities to understand the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of DLBCL.
Kazuya Fukasawa, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Condon Family Fellow
The introduction of bispecific antibodies represents a promising therapeutic advancement in the treatment of lymphoma. These therapies work by redirecting T cells to interact with tumor cells, supporting more potent anti-lymphoma activity from the immune system. In some cases, patients will become resistant to bispecific antibodies, but the mechanisms that drive this resistance remain poorly understood, which could limit their longterm use. “My research aims to define the mechanisms driving resistance to CD20-CD3 bispecific antibodies in follicular lymphoma (FL),” explains Dr. Fuksawa. “By identifying key genetic and cellular determinants of resistance, I seek to develop novel therapeutic strategies to overcome treatment escape. Ultimately, my goal is to improve patient outcomes by advancing more durable and effective immunotherapeutic approaches for FL.”
Dr. Fuksawa’s interest in cancer research began during his time as a master’s student at Kanazawa University in Japan. Since then, his research has focused on understanding the mechanisms of cancer pathophysiology and the interactions between the tumor and the host that drive progression. “With the rise of cancer immunotherapy, I developed a strong interest in FL and its immune microenvironment during my postdoctoral training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center,” he says. “My current research focuses on unraveling mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy, with the ultimate goal of translating these findings into clinical applications to improve patient outcomes.”
As a Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Fuksawa hopes to build his research expertise to better understand the interaction between the immune system and lymphoma, with the goal of developing novel strategies to overcome treatment resistance and improve patient outcomes. “My long-term goal is to bridge basic research with clinical applications, helping guide more personalized and effective treatments for lymphoma patients,” he explains.
Michelle Lee, MD, PhD Emory University
Black patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) tend to have worse outcomes than patients from other groups. These differences may be due to a combination of biological and genetic factors, but previous studies of DLBCL pathogenesis and progression have mostly included patients of European ancestry, leaving a gap in knowledge on the biology of the disease in other groups. Dr. Lee’s research, therefore, aims to understand how genetics and ancestry influence disease biology in DLBCL in African American, Hispanic, and Asian-Pacific Islander patients.
“Our research is like a team of architects examining how these different building styles (tumor characteristics) in different climates (ancestry) interact with their environments (tumor microenvironments),” she explains. “By inspecting these corrupted buildings and infrastructures, we aim to map out the city’s blueprint and understand what went wrong. Understanding these interactions may lead to more personalized treatment strategies that account for the ‘climate’ – or genetic ancestry – of each patient, helping to improve survival rates and quality of life for all.”
Dr. Lee completed her graduate research at the University of Washington in Seattle and her medical training at Emory University in Atlanta. As a Postdoctoral Fellow, she hopes to establish herself as a clinician scientist in lymphoma research, focusing on genomic-driven treatment approaches and personalization of therapy. She is inspired by the determination and resilience of her lymphoma patients, who drive her passion for finding better treatment options for all. “This project is particularly meaningful to me because it allows me to combine cutting-edge genomic research with direct clinical impact in the future, ensuring that all lymphoma patients, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, have access to more effective treatments.”
Etienne Leveille, MD
Yale University
Ferroptosis is a type of cell death to which therapyresistant cancer cells have been found to be highly sensitive. Lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), are among the most ferroptosissensitive types of tumors, but the reasons for this vulnerability are not yet understood. This represents a weakness within DLBCL cells that may be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Dr. Leveille’s work aims to uncover how the metabolism of DLBCL cells modulates their sensitivity to ferroptosis, with the goal of better understanding B-cell metabolism, ferroptosis vulnerability, and the potential development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat lymphomas.
Dr. Leveille’s interest in lymphoma research arose during his time in medical school at McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Canada. Since then, he has aimed to improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving lymphomas to facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes. “My research is first and foremost driven by patients, including those I see in the clinic,” he says. “Beyond the excitement of discovery and making scientific progress, my absolute priority is to ensure that research progress ultimately translates to new therapeutic strategies that improve the outcomes of affected individuals.”
With the support of the Foundation’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant, Dr. Leveille hopes to develop the skills and expertise to establish himself as an independent investigator and pioneer in the field of lymphoma research. “Being a part of the Foundation community allows for unparalleled opportunities to interact with key players in the field of lymphoma, including researchers, co-grantees, patients, advocates, and Foundation leadership,” he explains. He hopes these connections will foster long-term collaborations that better support the advancement of his research and the ability of his work to improve outcomes for lymphoma patients.
Tianfang Ma, PhD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Health Equity Initiative
Immunotherapies that activate the immune system against cancer cells have yielded promising results for many patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but not all people respond to treatment. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) – that is, the network of immune cells, signaling molecules, and support cells that surround the tumor – may play a role in influencing how well these therapies work. Dr. Ma’s research aims to characterize the relationship between the TIME and known genetic changes in DLBCL, with the goal of understanding how these factors may influence response to immunotherapies. “By mapping the interaction between genetic mutations and the TIME, we seek to identify key features that predict treatment response,” he explains. “This comprehensive framework could improve our ability to predict which patients will benefit from immunotherapies like CAR T-cell treatment and immune cell engagers.”
Dr. Ma completed his graduate training at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He is currently a medical oncology research fellow at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, where his current research focuses on the use of molecular and computational techniques to better understand the efficacy of immunotherapies at the single-cell level. “These insights will provide a critical conceptual framework to evaluate the efficacy of new targeted and immune cell therapies in specific clinical contexts and identify potential complementary treatment targets,” he says.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the invaluable support from the Foundation,” says Dr. Ma. “The Foundation’s unwavering commitment to lymphoma research continues to inspire researchers like me to strive for discoveries that can improve the lives of lymphoma patients worldwide.” With the support of the Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant, Dr. Ma hopes to establish himself as an independent investigator dedicated not only to understanding immune evasion in lymphoma and enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapies but also to creating new learning opportunities for the next generation of lymphoma researchers.
Daniela Magliulo, PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine
Chromatin refers to DNA and protein complexes that form 3-dimensional structures within the genome. These structures can bring together genetic elements across long stretches of DNA or even between different chromosomes to influence how genes are expressed. “Traditionally, the main drivers of cancer progression have been linked to alterations in specific genes or proteins,” Dr. Magliulo explains. “However, in recent years, many studies have highlighted the crucial role that 3D chromatin structure plays in cancer biology.” Her research, therefore, aims to understand the regulatory potential and assembly mechanism of chromatin hotspots in lymphoma, specifically within the context of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). “We believe that identifying the molecular players involved in forming and regulating these 3D topological hotspots could uncover new therapeutic vulnerabilities in B-cell lymphomas, thus paving the way to novel targeted therapies.”
“This project is incredibly fascinating to me because the challenge of understanding how changes in the 3D chromatin structure influence lymphoma progression is both complex and exciting, and it represents an emerging field with many discoveries yet to be made,” Dr. Magliulo continues. She hopes this work will lay the foundation for her career as an independent researcher investigating how the 3D structure of the genome influences hematopoietic and immune cell identity and how dysregulation of these processes can lead to cancers such as lymphoma. “I aspire to be a leading scientist in the field, advancing our understanding of how the 3D structure of the genome influences cancer and using that knowledge to develop innovative, targeted therapies for blood cancers.”
Dr. Magliulo’s commitment to lymphoma research is driven by her innate passion for the pursuit of knowledge. “I believe our work as scientists plays a unique and critical role in the fight against lymphoma. While doctors treat patients on the frontlines, my goal is to contribute by examining the molecular mechanisms behind lymphoma and uncovering the hidden processes that drive its development and progression,” she explains. “By doing so, I can help build a deeper understanding of lymphoma and contribute to the creation of targeted therapies.”
Paurnima Patil, PhD Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Oliver W. Press, MD, PhD, Memorial Fellow
Dr. Patil’s research has identified a gene (ARHGEF2) that is multiplied in many cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The protein encoded by this gene, GEF-H1, plays a variety of roles in the cell, but it is not clear how these processes affect lymphoma formation. Dr. Patil’s Postdoctoral Fellowship project, therefore, aims to evaluate the potential role of GEF-H1 in B-cell development and lymphomagenesis. She hopes that this research will not only provide important insights into the origins of DLBCL but also help to identify potential targets that disrupt signaling pathways activated by GEF-H1 that can be therapeutically exploited to help patients. “My current project is deeply rooted in understanding novel molecular mechanisms, allowing me to contribute to the advancement of potential diagnostic precision and targeted treatment strategies,” she says.
Inspired by recent successes and advancements in the field, Dr. Patil is hopeful that her research will provide meaningful insights that will one day be used to help patients. “Lymphoma research is at the forefront of precision medicine, with rapid advancements in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and molecular profiling,” she explains. “The success of clinical trials in recent years has transformed treatment landscapes, proving that research efforts can directly translate into improved survival rates and better quality of life for patients. The field’s constant evolution, the opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, and the direct clinical impact of new discoveries make it one of the most promising areas in oncology today.”
Dr. Patil completed her graduate studies at the University of Ulm in Germany and is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She was inspired to pursue a career in science early in life. “Growing up in a family with both parents in the science field, particularly with my father being a clinician, significantly shaped my interest in the medical sciences,” she explains. “I chose lymphoma research because it offers a unique intersection of complexity, innovation, and patient impact, and I am passionate about contributing to its future advancements.”
With the support of the Foundation’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant, Dr. Patil hopes to establish herself as an independent researcher focusing on bridging the gap between basic and translational research in lymphoma. “I aim to foster an environment where scientific innovation thrives and where I can mentor and train the next generation of researchers,” she says. “In doing so, I aspire to create a lasting impact in the field, both through my own discoveries and by inspiring young scientists to pursue impactful careers in lymphoma research.”
Priya Lakra, PhD MD Anderson Cancer Center Health Equity Initiative
Chromatin remodeling complexes known as BAF complexes are responsible for regulating gene expression and play important roles in the normal development of B cells. Expression of the different components that make up these complexes are dysregulated in B-cell lymphoma cells, but it’s not clear what role this plays in the development of cancer. Dr. Priya Larka’s research, therefore, aims to understand what role BAF complexes play in lymphomagenesis, with the hope of identifying potential targets for the development of future therapies.
Dr. Priya Larka completed her doctoral research at the University of Delhi in India, and she is currently a postdoctoral fellow at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “My drive to help those affected by lymphoma, or any form of cancer, comes from a deep desire to make a meaningful impact on lives,” she explains. “My aunt is a cancer survivor, and being close with her has been a major driving force for my research.” Dr. Priya Larka hopes that in the future, she will build on her current research to support a career as an independent investigator studying the epigenetic regulators in aggressive B-cell lymphomas, with the hope that her discoveries will help develop new treatment options for lymphoma patients.
Pierre Stéphan, MD, PhD Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Patients diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) face poor prognosis and limited treatment options. “We believe this is partly due to a lack of understanding of the complex set of local environmental factors that promote the growth and survival of lymphoma cells,” explains Dr. Stéphan. His research, therefore, aims to use advanced imaging and computational techniques to characterize the tumor microenvironment in AITL, with the goal of better understanding how this environment supports the growth and proliferation of tumor cells. “I hope this understanding will lead to the identification of new and rational targets for treating this disease, which in the long term will improve the lives of patients with T-cell lymphomas,” he says.
Dr. Stéphan completed his medical training at Dijon University School of Medicine in France before pursuing a PhD in immunology at the University of Lyon and the Cancer Research Center of Lyon. It was there where he committed to studying the role of the immune microenvironment in T-cell lymphomas. “I think studying T-cell lymphomas offers a rare opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the immune system and its organization around T cells, aiming to clarify the specific role of each cellular subtype and how we can leverage immune cells other than T lymphocytes in the fight against cancer,” he explains.
“I am inspired by my patients – their strength, determination, and the trust they place in us, the doctors,” says Dr. Stéphan. “They are at the center of my work, and through this project, I want to contribute to their wellbeing. I’m also inspired by my mentors and colleagues, who throughout my career have shown a commitment to always improving the lives of our patients. Their dedication motivates me to keep pushing forward with this work.”
Dr. Stéphan is also grateful for the support of the greater Foundation community. “I would like to thank the Foundation as well as all the people behind it who contribute through their work, intellectual input, time, or financial donations to support lymphoma research,” he says. “Their efforts directly benefit patients and us, researchers and healthcare professionals. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me. It is both a privilege and an honor to be part of this team and to collaborate with you in shaping the future of lymphoma research.”
Maria White, PhD
The University of North Carolina Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human pathogen that has been linked to the development of many types of cancers, including lymphoma. EBV-associated lymphomas are aggressive and often unresponsive or resistant to treatment, highlighting the need for new therapeutic options for these patients. “Our laboratory previously identified proteins with higher expression in EBV-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) compared with normal cells, since proteins with high activity in cancer are potential therapeutic targets,” Dr. White explains. This project will determine the extent to which one of these proteins, NEK2, contributes to EBV-positive lymphoma growth, and if inhibiting NEK2 reduces tumor burden and prolongs survival in animals.
“I started my research career 15 years ago at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where I tested the ability of an equine herpesvirus to kill human brain cancer cells,” says Dr. White. “This project sparked within me a passion for both virus and cancer research.” After completing her graduate work at Emory University, where she studied influenza viruses, Dr. White returned to the field of viral oncology for her postdoctoral work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. She hopes that her work throughout her career moving forward will help to advance the treatment field for patients with both viral and non-viral forms of lymphoma.
“Both of my parents are currently in remission (from non-lymphoma malignancies), and they have been my biggest supporters throughout my career,” says Dr. White. “Seeing their strength, and the strength and resilience of the many cancer patients and cancer survivors I’ve had the privilege of meeting during my career, inspire me every day to move forward.”
She is grateful and honored to receive this award from the Foundation, and looks forward to advancing the viral lymphoma field with the Foundation’s support.
Preserving Hope: Understanding Onco-Fertility and Cancer Treatment
A cancer diagnosis brings a wave of uncertainty, and for many patients, concerns about fertility can add another layer of emotional distress. While advancements in cancer treatments have improved long-term survival rates for many patients, many cancer treatments can cause a loss of fertility, making it crucial for patients to consider fertility preservation early in their treatment journey.
Thankfully, several advancements have been made in the field of reproductive medicine, offering numerous options to patients to preserve their fertility. However, many individuals are unaware of their options or face barriers in accessing care. A specialized field called onco-fertility helps bridge oncology and reproductive medicine to empower patients to make informed decisions about their future and highlights the importance of incorporating fertility discussions into cancer care.
Lymphoma Research Foundation grantee, Foundation Adolescent and Young Adult Consortium member, and lymphoma specialist Adam DuVall, MD, MPH, of the University of Chicago, discusses the impact of cancer treatment on fertility, available preservation methods, and the promising advancements in the field. Additionally, Megan Scherer, co-founder and executive director of Worth the Wait – a non-profit that provides financial support and educational resources for fertility treatments – discusses the challenges that many patients face when considering fertility preservation as well as the support resources available to them.
Adam DuVall, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Chicago:
What is onco-fertility, and why is it important for cancer patients?
Onco-fertility is the study and treatment of fertility and reproductive issues for patients who have cancer – either before or after treatment. It focuses on a patient’s ability to have children, whether it be through preserving fertility before cancer treatment, in the future, or afterward. This can also be done through the assistance of reproductive technology or even through adoption or other familybuilding practices.
How can cancer treatments, specifically lymphoma treatments, impact fertility in both men and women?
Lymphoma is commonly treated with chemotherapy and radiation, both of which can have an impact on a patient’s future fertility. Radiation can impact fertility if it is used on a patient’s pelvic area, but really, it’s the chemotherapy that we use for lymphoma that impacts future fertility more significantly.
It is hard to quantify who’s going to be most at risk for having future fertility issues, and so, when I talk to patients about it, I remind patients that there are many people who experience fertility issues without a history of cancer. People are born with a certain level of fertility, and a person’s ability to have children naturally declines with age and other factors, and chemo can make a person’s chances of conceiving reduce faster. If you’re somebody who already has a lower level of fertility at baseline, even chemo that we wouldn’t necessarily expect to impact fertility could end up impacting a patient.
So, there’s a lot of gray area in this, but we do know that specific classes of chemotherapy can sometimes lead to problems with fertility in the future.
At what point in a lymphoma diagnosis should fertility preservation be discussed?
I only see patients who are in the AYA age range –which is ages 15 to 39 – so I talk about it with every single one of my patients from the moment of diagnosis. Studies show that talking with patients about preserving fertility prior to therapy helps patients cope with the psychosocial stress of future family planning. Many patients are apprehensive to speak about family planning because they worry that there’s no way to preserve their fertility when facing a lymphoma diagnosis. But there are so many ways to preserve fertility now, and if a patient’s physician doesn’t bring up their options with them, it is something that patients should feel empowered and comfortable asking themselves.
What questions should patients ask their doctors about fertility after a cancer diagnosis? Some of the most important questions a patient could ask are:
• Will treatment impact my future fertility, and if so, are there things that we can do now to try to preserve it for the future?
• Who can I speak to about the costs associated with fertility preservation?
• What is the timeline for preserving my fertility prior to receiving lymphoma treatment? Will delaying treatment impact my outcome?
LIVING WITH LYMPHOMA
What fertility preservation options are available for cancer patients?
Male fertility can be preserved through semen cryopreservation, which is the process of freezing semen to be used for insemination in the future. Then there’s two other ways that are surgically done for men to preserve their fertility. In some cases, sperm may be retrieved surgically from the testicles if ejaculation is not possible or sperm is not present in the ejaculate, and then the sperm is frozen for future use. The other surgical procedure is testicular tissue cryopreservation, known as TTC. In this procedure, pieces of testicular tissue are surgically removed, frozen, and stored. This procedure is experimental and is predominately used on prepubertal boys who are not yet producing sperm.
For women, it is a bit more complicated. If the patient has hit puberty and has their period, that means the patient is probably producing eggs, and therefore, they can freeze their eggs. Egg freezing is achieved by stimulating the ovaries through the administration of hormones that help to produce multiple eggs, and then those eggs are extracted for later use through a procedure. You can also freeze embryos, which is similar to egg freezing, but the eggs are fertilized with sperm to create embryos, which are then frozen. The frozen embryos can be thawed and transferred to the uterus when the woman is ready to conceive. Embryos are traditionally more “shelf stable” –meaning they freeze and thaw better. This is a preferred method if you have a partner with whom you’re planning on building a family in the future. That all gets better, but that’s just kind of the nature of the beast of cancer itself impacting the body. Another option is called ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC), which involves surgically removing an ovary or portion of an ovary containing eggs, freezing the tissue, and potentially re-implanting it after cancer treatment or other medical conditions. This method is particularly useful for young women who may not have time to undergo egg or embryo freezing before starting cancer treatment, but it is very early in its use and still somewhat controversial.
How long do patients have to undergo fertility preservation before needing to start treatment?
Most patients who are of childbearing age who are diagnosed with lymphoma are typically diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma or subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) –all of which are considered more aggressive types of lymphomas. However, unless a patient presents with significant symptoms, there’s usually time to be able to preserve fertility prior to starting treatment. There’s nothing in medicine or the world that is 100%, but I would typically say two to four weeks isn’t really going to change a patient’s stage or outcome significantly. However, overall, patients should discuss their options as soon as possible and take any desired action as quickly as they can.
What are the risks and success rates associated with fertility preservation methods?
The first and most unfortunate risk is that fertility preservation doesn’t always work as intended. Outside of that, if a patient opts for a surgical technique, there’s always a risk with any surgery. Anytime we break the skin with a needle or something else, there’s always a risk of bleeding or infections, but thankfully, those risks are relatively low for these types of procedures. There are also risks associated with hormonal therapy and the side effects from that. Overall, it is important to think and talk about any potential risks with your healthcare team prior to starting any fertility preservation technique.
What advancements are being made in onco-fertility research?
Egg freezing technology has come a long way since its experimental days, so females with and without partners can feel secure with that type of fertility preservation.
The biggest advancements are in the ways in which we are preserving fertility. One of the most exciting things we are investigating now is the effectiveness of using hormonal blockade, which in a way “puts the ovaries” to sleep and protects them from chemotherapy. We have traditionally used this for most women receiving chemotherapy, but it’s really unknown if it works well at all. However, we now have an active research study investigating if this is effective, and hopefully in the near future we can be able to tell people what the chances are of it working. The other advancements are in surgical methods to preserve fertility prior to chemotherapy initiation discussed above.
Megan Scherer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Worth the Wait:
How does the possibility of infertility affect the emotional well-being of cancer patients?
Onco-fertility researcher Dr. Catherine Benedict at Stanford describes infertility after cancer as “double trauma.” These young patients have already dealt with so much, and facing the burden of infertility can be extremely emotionally taxing and isolating.
What challenges do cancer patients face in accessing fertility preservation services?
There are several challenges with accessing fertility preservation. The first is access to fertility preservation counseling. Some oncologists and/or care teams are talking with patients about the risks of infertility due to cancer treatment, but others are not. Without that initial conversation about how treatment might impact fertility, the patient is going in blindly, and in some cases, their ability to have a biological child is taken away.
For the patients who learn about their fertility preservation options, affording fertility preservation is a big challenge for most. Sperm banking costs several hundred dollars, egg freezing can cost $7,000-$10,000, and it’s even more to freeze embryos. Most young cancer patients don’t have enough money saved for
these unexpected expenses, and that’s why fertility drug discount programs and nonprofits like Worth the Wait are so critical to ensuring patients can access fertility preservation.
Are fertility preservation treatments covered by insurance, or are they primarily out-ofpocket expenses?
Overall, most adolescent and young adult cancer patients don’t have insurance coverage for fertility preservation. Nineteen states have some sort of legislation that requires insurance coverage for fertility preservation. Still, those mandates have loopholes, so they only help a percentage of patients in those states (most exclude people on Medicaid). We hear that most patients are putting fertility preservation expenses on their credit cards, raising money through a GoFundMe, or getting support from family members.
How can cancer organizations and advocacy groups help raise awareness about fertility preservation?
Worth the Wait is partnering with many nonprofits like the Lymphoma Research Foundation to educate patients and clinicians about fertility preservation. We love bringing in reproductive endocrinologists to empower patients with options for fertility preservation and family building. Asking patients to share their personal stories about how they were or weren’t counseled is an effective way to humanize the challenges and opportunities with onco-fertility.
What advancements in fertility preservation can give hope to patients undergoing cancer treatment?
Egg freezing technology has come a long way since its experimental days, so females with and without partners can feel secure with that type of fertility preservation. Some clinics are starting to use AI to predict which eggs or embryos are the best quality. And there’s lots of research taking place with testicular cryopreservation that could aid pre-pubescent boys diagnosed with cancer.
What advice do you have for cancer survivors who want to start a family?
Don’t lose hope! Starting a family might not look like how you imagined it, but there are so many interventions and options, including donor eggs, sperm, adoption, and surrogacy.
Powered by Purpose:
The Hendriks’ Mission To Close Out Cancer
The life of a professional Major League Baseball player is highly structured. are 162 regular-season games from April through October, post-season play, and an off-season that goes by in the blink of an eye. Spring Training starts in February, and just like that, another season begins and the cycle begins anew.
But for relief pitcher Liam Hendriks, that rhythm was shattered in December 2022. Then playing for the Chicago White Sox, he was diagnosed with lymphoma –just weeks after noticing a small nodule on his scalp.
Born in Perth, Australia – described by Hendriks as “the most remote city in the world” – Liam wears jersey number 31, a nod to the fact that he was only the 31st Australian to play Major League Baseball. His athletic roots run deep: His father and grandfather were standout Australian Rules Football players, and Liam began his journey in baseball after a childhood of playing T-ball and resisting the pull toward cricket. Now 36 and a three-time All-Star (2019, 2021, 2022), Liam plays for the Boston Red Sox, continuing a career defined not only by talent but also by grit, resilience, and an unshakable partnership with his wife, Kristi.
An Unexpected Diagnosis
In May 2022, Liam noticed a small lump near his hairline. He brushed it off until a few weeks later, when Kristi spotted additional warning signs while watching him play on TV.
“I was at home watching the game,” Kristi recalled. “The lights were bright and Liam was sweating because it was super humid in Chicago, and when he turned to look at the catcher, I saw these three solid nodules on his neck –something didn’t look right.”
When Liam returned home that night, Kristi carefully inspected the lumps and tried to determine what they might be. Initially, they didn’t think much of them.
“At first, you think, ‘Okay, is it an infected hair follicle? Is it an ingrown hair?’” Kristi said. “You reach for any number of explanations – he’s an athlete, he sweats a lot. It could be acne. Any number of possibilities could explain it away.”
But by June, more nodules appeared, and the couple grew more concerned. Liam had blood work done, but the results were initially inconclusive. General practitioners floated vague possibilities, but finally a biopsy in December confirmed the truth: follicular lymphoma (FL). “One of the toughest parts of our lymphoma journey was waiting for results,” said Kristi “Your mind spirals in different directions and makes you more uneasy by the day.”
Side by Side Through Treatment
One of the toughest parts of our lymphoma journey was waiting for results.
After overcoming the initial shock and assessing their options, Liam and Kristi decided to choose the Mayo Clinic in Arizona for treatment, conveniently located near their off-season home. After receiving a second opinion that confirmed Liam’s diagnosis, they went public with it on January 8, 2023. The very next day, chemotherapy began. Liam’s treatment included immunotherapy and chemotherapy administered every 28 days. The initial sessions were physically challenging, with Liam experiencing an initial allergic reaction to immunotherapy and severe nausea throughout treatment.
Another unexpected challenge was cognitive.
“While in treatment, I found it difficult to read or focus on anything for long, and that was hard because I’ve always been an avid reader,” Liam said. “It would take me an hour to finish a chapter that should’ve taken seven minutes.”
Instead, he passed the time with Lego sets – calming, repetitive work that didn’t demand focus. Kristi faced different but equally significant challenges. A selfdescribed planner, she managed Liam’s treatment schedule efficiently but found it difficult to connect with people who weren’t going through a similar lifethreatening health situation.
“Socialization was hard for me because I just felt like I was on one side of the rainbow and most people were on the other side,” she explained. “Habits that had helped pass the time pre-diagnosis, like scrolling through Instagram, now just highlighted our different worlds. I love my friends, but during that time, it was hard for me to care about a ‘Get Ready With Me’ video when I was trying to keep my husband alive.”
She credits weekly mental health counseling as crucial for her own well-being.
“I cannot recommend mental health counseling enough for care partners,” she said. “So many people think that the patient should be getting mental health counseling, which they should, but as I tell people, he slept through a lot of the things that I had to witness firsthand.”
The Triumphant Return
Throughout Liam’s treatment, support poured in from fans and the White Sox. Buses and billboards across Chicago carried messages of hope. “I’ve always been able to find the silver lining in absolutely everything,” said Liam. “And we were definitely helped by the White Sox and the city of Chicago, who were fantastic throughout my treatment.”
After completing treatment, Liam defied the odds and returned to pitch for the Chicago White Sox on May 29, 2023, less than six months after his initial diagnosis. Kristi was there to celebrate the emotional milestone.
To mark the occasion, the White Sox created “Close Out Cancer” T-shirts, which were part of a fundraising initiative with proceeds benefiting the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Fans had also submitted heartfelt messages of support for both Liam and Kristi.
“It was that word ‘research’ in the title of Lymphoma Research Foundation’s name that first attracted me to them,” Kristi said. “Research was what was keeping my husband alive, so I couldn’t think of any better beneficiary of this fundraiser.”
Sales of the T-shirts generated over $100,000 for the Foundation, and the Hendriks’ relationship with the organization has continued to grow. Kristi joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2024. In November 2025, the couple will receive the Foundation’s Distinguished Leadership Award at its Annual Gala.
“We’re very humbled by this honor,” said Kristi. “We really try to use our platform for good and make lemonade out of the lemons. The Lymphoma Research Foundation has supported us every step of the way, and we hope our involvement with the Foundation can raise more awareness of lymphoma and their vital mission to eradicate it.”
The Foundation has supported us every step of the way, and we hope our involvement can raise more awareness of lymphoma and the Foundation’s vital mission to eradicate it.
A New Chapter in Boston Navigating Survivorship
Though Liam made only five appearances in 2023 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, his comeback earned him the American League’s Comeback Player of the Year Award.
In February 2024, the Boston Red Sox signed him to a two-year contract, and on April 19, 2025 – 680 days after his last game – Liam returned to the mound, back in jersey #31. He’s working to regain the elite form that made him the American League’s Reliever of the Year in 2020 and 2021.
Though treatment was taxing, Liam and Kristi agree that survivorship has presented its own unique challenges.
“I’ve come to realize that survivorship can be harder than going through treatment just because there’s no playbook,” said Liam.
The couple has found a common purpose by connecting with other cancer survivors and care partners through the Foundation and their own charitable organization –Hendrik’s Heroes, a program where they meet with cancer survivors and care partners at ballparks across the country. What began in Chicago has continued in Boston, earning Liam a nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award – an honor he has been nominated for six times throughout his career.
“I enjoy socializing with fans, and the people who come out to see us are survivors and caretakers themselves, so they understand what we’ve gone through, having been through the same challenges,” said Liam. “It’s meaningful to meet other survivors – seeing someone take that extra step or with that little spark in their eyes on that day of treatment – that could be the difference. And that’s something that I’m really proud of.”
Asked what advice he’d offer others facing lymphoma, Liam didn’t hesitate:
“Don’t let anybody tell you what you can and cannot do. If you feel like you can do it, do it,” he said. “I’ve found that the more times you say ‘cancer,’ the more times you say ‘chemotherapy,’ it lessens the weight that it has upon you, and you can move on with your life. It’s not the easiest thing to joke about because it’s really scary, obviously, but I’ve found that the more you can joke about it, the more you can smile and remain positive.”
I enjoy socializing with fans, and the people who come out to see us are survivors and caretakers themselves, so they understand what we’ve gone through, having been through the same challenges.
Scientific Advisory Board
The Lymphoma Research Foundation’s volunteer Scientific Advisory Board, comprising 45 world-renowned lymphoma experts, guides the Foundation’s research activities, seeking out the most innovative and promising lymphoma research projects for support.
2024–2025 Membership
Ann S. Lacasce, MD, MMSC Chair
Harvard Medical School Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Andrew M. Evens, DO, MSc, FACP Chair-Elect
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Ranjana Advani, MD Stanford University School of Medicine
Ash A. Alizadeh, MD, PhD
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stephen Ansell, MD, PhD Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Kristie A. Blum, MD
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Jennifer Brown, MD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Sharon Castellino, MD, MSc Emory University School of Medicine
James Cerhan, MD, PhD Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medicine
Sandeep Dave, MD, MS Duke University
Kieron M. Dunleavy, MD Lombardi Cancer Center of Georgetown University
Kojo S.J. Elenitoba-Johnson, MD Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Todd Fehniger, MD, PhD Washington University School of Medicine
Christopher R. Flowers, MD, MS The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Jonathan W. Friedberg, MD, MMSc University of Rochester
James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute
Leo I. Gordon, MD, FACP Past Chair, 2015-2017
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
Michael Green, PhD, MD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Thomas M. Habermann, MD Past Chair, 2017-2019 Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Alex Herrera, MD City of Hope Medical Center
Steven M. Horwitz, MD Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Eric D. Hsi, MD Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Kara Kelly, MD
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine
John P. Leonard, MD
Past Chair, 2012-2015
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medicine
Kami Maddocks, MD Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Peter Martin, MD Weill Cornell Medicine
Ari Melnick, MD
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medicine
Lindsay Morton, PhD National Cancer Institute
Markus Müschen, MD, PhD Yale School of Medicine
Teresa Palomero, PhD Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University
Laura Pasqualucci, MD
Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University
Barbara Pro, MD Columbia University
Lisa Rimsza, MD Mayo Clinic, Arizona
Lisa Roth, MD
Weill Cornell Medicine
Gilles Salles, MD, PhD Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Kerry J. Savage, MD British Columbia Cancer
David Scott, MBChB, PhD
BC Cancer, Vancouver
Laurie Sehn, MD, MPH BC Cancer, Vancouver
Margaret Shipp, MD
Harvard Medical School
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Sonali M. Smith, MD Immediate Past Chair, 2021-2023
The University of Chicago
Eduardo M. Sotomayor, MD
Tampa General Hospital
Christian Steidl, MD
BC Cancer, Vancouver
John M. Timmerman, MD
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
Hans-Guido Wendel, MD Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Andrew D. Zelenetz, MD, PhD Past Chair, 2019-2021 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
SAB Emeritus
Morton Coleman, MD
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medicine
Brian Link, MD University of Iowa
Kanti R. Rai, MD
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Michael E. Williams, MD, ScM University of Virginia Cancer Center
Upcoming Events
7.16
Ask the Doctor: Information for Newly Diagnosed Patients
7.22
Update on Immunotherapies Webinar
7.27
Chicago Lymphoma Walk
7.30
Ask the Doctor: Information for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Lymphoma
8.20
Lymphoma Talk: Los Angeles
9.1-9.30
Blood Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM)
9.4-9.7
Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon
9.20-9.21
Educational Forum on Lymphoma
9.27
Hamptons Marathon
10.8
Lymphoma Talk: Houston
10.12
Amica Newport Marathon
10.23-10.26
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
11.5
Lymphoma Talk: Minneapolis
Want to receive information about Lymphoma Research Foundation events happening in your area? Visit lymphoma.org/emailsignup to select your email preferences and stay up to date with the latest from the Foundation.
To learn more about Planned Giving, c Jessica Sharrow at jsharrow@lymph or visit lymphoma.org/legacy. Wall
When you include the Lymphoma R Foundation in your estate plan, you in the most promising research that greatest potential to dramatically im lives of those impacted by lymphom
