Background
Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) patients and their families have been facing a particularly tough challenge because MCL is rare, and, until recently, has not received as much research attention as some other areas of lymphoma.
That is why in 2003, the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) jumped at the opportunity to signifcantly advance MCL research with the help of an anonymous donor.
Knowing that a focus on MCL would benefit so many who were facing this challenging disease, LRF started an MCL Research Grants program, and has to date awarded $20.7 million dollars to support over 35 research grants in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma Consortium
The MCL research program grew quickly, beginning with the development of the Mantle Cell Lymphoma Consortium (MCLC). The MCLC was started in 2005 to identify effective and curative treatment strategies for MCL. The MCLC fosters collaboration, sharing of information and laboratory resources, as well as multi-institutional recruitment of clinical trials between groups working in MCL research. Membership in the MCLC has grown to include more than 100 top-ranking investigators.
The MCLC has since successfully raised support for a broad program that includes:
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Creating this website with resources for both patients and researchers.
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Establishing a "cell bank" to help researchers easily find high quality, well-characterized cell lines for their research work.
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Develop ways to support clinical trials (which are essential in the creation of medications and treatments for patients) and create an easy to search database of clinical trials for patients on this website.
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Support work in the area of biomarkers and pathology. This information can make a difference in identifying the best treatment options for particular patients.
Those interested in becoming a member of the MCL Consortium need to submit an application.
Supporters
The creation of this website would not have been possible without generous contributions from the following:
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