NEW YORK, August 31, 2017— The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) is pleased to announce the election of Brendon M. Stiles, MD as the new chair of its Board of Directors. LCRF is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting lung cancer research, the number one cause of cancer death worldwide. Its mission is to improve and save lives by funding groundbreaking research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of lung cancer.
“It’s truly an honor to be elected as the chair of LCRF’s Board of Directors,” said Dr. Stiles. “Each LCRF board member has been personally affected by lung cancer. It’s inspiring to be among this group of individuals who are so committed to fighting this deadly disease.”
Dr. Stiles has been involved with LCRF for several years. In July 2014, he became a member of LCRF’s Medical Advisory Board, during which time he reviewed and assessed grant applications to LCRF’s Scientific Grant Program. In September 2015, Dr. Stiles became the vice chair of LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board and a member of LCRF’s Scientific Steering Committee. During this time, Dr. Stiles played an instrumental role in helping to not only review individual grant applications, but also to set the priorities and overall strategic direction of LCRF’s Scientific Grant Program.
“There has been tremendous progress in the field of lung cancer research. As a former LCRF grantee, I know first-hand the impact and reach of LCRF’s funding,” said Dr. Stiles. “The face of lung cancer is changing. Due to research in both early and late stage disease, we now have survivors to tell the story. I’m looking forward to continuing this momentum.”
Dr. Stiles succeeds Pippa G. Gerard, who is a founding LCRF board member and served as board chair from 2013-2017. “I’m so proud of the work that LCRF has accomplished thus far, and there is no better individual than Dr. Stiles to take on the role of board chair,” said Ms. Gerard.
In addition to his work with LCRF, Dr. Stiles is a thoracic surgeon at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, and is a lung cancer researcher and advocate for lung cancer patients.
“Dr. Stiles has so much passion and enthusiasm not just for our organization, but for the lung cancer community as a whole,” said Nancy M. Sanford, Executive Director, LCRF. “This is a very exciting time for LCRF and I am confident that we will continue to make great progress under Dr. Stiles’ leadership.”
Dr. Stiles will serve a two-year term as LCRF’s board chair, effective September 1, 2017.
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About the Lung Cancer Research Foundation
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting lung cancer research. LCRF’s mission is to improve and save lives by funding groundbreaking research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of lung cancer. To date, LCRF has provided nearly 300 grants, totaling $23 million to 90 institutions around the world for critical lung cancer research.