Northern Trust Hosts Executive Luncheon Benefit for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of South Florida
Miami, FL – May 22, 2018 – One of the darkest words anyone will ever hear is, “you have cancer” but on Tuesday, more than 70 guests heard of exciting new therapies and customized treatment options that raise hope for finding a cure. Northern Trust President of Florida John Fumagalli, Alex Adams, Senior Market Executive Miami/Dade County, VP Marketing Diane Cruz, hosted the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light the Night Campaign Executive Committee and local business leaders at their Brickell office for an informative luncheon on the ongoing progress in the war on cancer and the need for further research. Dr. Michael J. Zinner, Founding CEO of Miami Cancer Institute, and Honorary Chair of the Light the Night Campaign, welcomed guests before Dr. Guenther Koehne, Chief of Hematologic Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation at Miami Cancer Institute and the 2018 Chairman of LLS Light the Night Campaign, took the podium to speak about the rapidly developing field of immunotherapies, precision medicine and their impact on a variety of hematologic malignancies. An internationally renowned physician scientist, Dr. Koehne was a recipient of a LLS grant in 2000-2003 himself. Known for his work in immunotherapies, he also pioneered a novel vaccine to treat patients with multiple myeloma which was most recently granted FDA approval for this disease. During his speech, he praised the nonprofit’s pivotal work in research and patient support speaking passionately from the perspective of an oncologist who bears witness to the emotional toll placed on patients and their families. Stephen L. Smith, Incoming Chairman of LLS’s Southern Florida Board of Trustees moved the audience with his emotional story of love and loss and personal dedication to the cause.