Over 520 guests reached into their pockets to the tune of over $1.15 million and cast their vote for increased funding for lymphoma-focused research at Vote For A Cure: the Lymphoma Research Foundation's (LRF) 2008 National Gala held on October 6 at the New York Marriot Marquis.

Tom Brokaw, NBC News, shared emcee duties with Jeff Greenfield of CBS News for this very successful event. Unable to attend because he was preparing to moderate the second Presidential debate, Tom welcomed the guests and paid tribute to their efforts via video tape. Following those comments, Jeff took over and smoothly directed a program consisting of awards presentations, inspirational and informative speeches, both a silent and live auction and entertainment by Tara Memi's Tara Girls.

Jeffrey I. Sussman, President of Louis Dreyfus Property Group, received the Freundlich Leadership Award and Laura Colton Tepper, founding member of LRF's Chicago Chapter, received the Ellen Glesby Cohen Leadership Award.

The Freundlich Leadership Award, named after Barbara and Jerry Freundlich who founded Cure for Lymphoma (CFL) - one of LRF's predecessors, was established to honor an outstanding leader in the corporate community who has supported the Foundation's mission to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease.

The Ellen Glesby Cohen Leadership Award was established by Biogen Idec in 2001 to honor the memory of Ellen Glesby Cohen, the founder of the Lymphoma Research Foundation of America (LRFA) - another predecessor of LRF. This award celebrates Ellen who rallied every friend, physician, and acquaintance that she had to help in her efforts to found the LRFA to affect change for those touched by lymphoma.

Andrew Madoff, Chairman of the Foundation's Board of Directors and Richard I. Fisher, MD, Vice President for Clinical Services, University of Rochester, and Chairman of LRF's Scientific Advisory Board addressed the gathering. Errol Cook, Immediate Past Chairman & CEO LRF's Board of Directors closed the evening by thanking the gathering for helping LRF raise in excess of $1 million.

About the Lymphoma Research Foundation

The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation's largest voluntary health organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and healthcare professionals with critical information on the disease. LRF's mission is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease.

More than 85 cents of every dollar spent goes to research and programming. As of the close of FY 2007, LRF has funded over $35 million in lymphoma-specific research. LRF also provides a comprehensive series of programs and services for patients, survivors and loved ones affected by lymphoma, including our toll-free Lymphoma Helpline and Clinical Trials Information Service, in-person patient education programs, webcasts/teleconferences and support services.

Lymphoma Research Foundation