BUFFALO, N.Y. — The 11 Day Power Play announced the recipient of their first Team Science Award on Tuesday night, in partnership with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Five cross-functional teams of Roswell Park cancer researchers applied for the team science award, which offers a $1 million grant to continue their research study.
In September, The 11 Day Power Play first presented Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center with the $1 million gift to pursue innovative cancer research. The group then planned to announce the one research team from Roswell that would become the inaugural award recipient in November.
On Tuesday night, the recipient was revealed: Doctor Brian Betts' research team targeting CD83 to treat acute myeloid leukemia.
"We truly believe that this award will bring together researchers and scientists from different departments to study new ways to treat, diagnose, and even cure cancer," The 11 Day Power Play co-founder Amy Lesakowski said.
And if that single donation wasn't enough, 11 Day Power Play decided to do something bigger. With the help of Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, the organizations were able to match the $1 million grant, providing $250,000 for each of the research groups that applied.
“Team science brings together investigators who are advancing scientific research that has the potential to save lives and change the way cancer is treated. The funding would not be possible without the dedicated support of The 11 Day Power Play organization,” Dr. Candace Johnson, President and CEO of Roswell Park said in a release earlier this year. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with The 11 Day Power Play and are grateful for their commitment to finding a cure for cancer.”
More information on the 11 Day Power Play can be found here.