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January 28, 2011

Local Cancer Foundation presents $10,000 for breast cancer research at ËÄÉ«AV

A Northeast Louisiana Cancer Foundation representative presented $10,000 for the continued support of breast cancer research in the ËÄÉ«AV College of Pharmacy on Wednesday, Jan. 26, marking the fifth year in a row the NCF has helped fund cancer research at ËÄÉ«AV.

James Adams, director of the Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute and NLCF, presented the funding to help advance the research of Dr. Paul Sylvester and his project team, who are studying how tocotrienols – a rare form of vitamin E – can attack cancer cells in early stages without harming healthy cells.

"We are very proud of the work that is being done here," said ËÄÉ«AV President Nick J. Bruno. "We would like to thank the Northeast Louisiana Cancer Foundation for their continued support of Dr. Sylvester's work and are pleased to accept this generous donation."

"This type of funding is absolutely necessary to carry on cutting-edge research at our institution and has made for a great partnership between ËÄÉ«AV and the Northeast Louisiana Cancer Foundation," said Interim College of Pharmacy Dean Benny Blaylock.

Sylvester, a world-renowned expert in the anticancer effects of tocotrienols, said he was extremely pleased with the announcement of additional funding, noting that even in a strapped economy the Northeast Louisiana Cancer Foundation "has always come through." The Foundation's check on Wednesday brings the organization's total support of ËÄÉ«AV cancer research to $57,000.

Adams shared that the organization is the only one in northeast Louisiana that offers free cancer screenings for economically disadvantaged patients, adding that more than 400 patients are expected at the free breast cancer screening being offered this Saturday, Jan 29.

Breast cancer is the world's most prevalent malignancy in women; just over 2 million women in the U.S. have been treated for the disease.

Sylvester, holder of the Pfizer Inc.-B.J. Robinson Endowed Professor of Pharmacy, is hopeful that Tocotrienols derived from palm oil could be available as a supplement within a few years.

"I think it's going to be groundbreaking research," said Adams, a 1986 ËÄÉ«AV College of Health Sciences graduate who also earned his Master's of Business Administration from ËÄÉ«AV in 2007. "I'm very excited to be part of this effort at my university."

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