Debbie's Dream Foundation Partners with the American Association for Cancer Research to Present Its First $50,000 Young Fellowship Award to Dr. David Allison

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF), a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for stomach cancer, launched its first research grant of $50,000 for a Young Fellowship Award. The organization presented Dr. David Allison with the fellowship on April 5, 2014 at the AACR Annual Meeting in San Diego. This grant will support his salary and benefits while he is working on mentored gastric cancer research.

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DDF was pleased to partner with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) for the opportunity to fund this important fellowship award. The DDF-AACR Gastric Cancer Fellowship represents a joint effort to encourage and support a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow to conduct gastric cancer research, as well as to establish a successful career path in this field.

Dr. Allison is a Lineberger Research Fellow in the Greg Wang lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He will be studying the contribution of the polycomb repressive complex (PRC2) towards gastric cancer progression. Dr. Allison obtained his undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University and attended graduate school at the University of Virginia.

"I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to contribute to Debbie's vision of meaningfully advancing stomach cancer research in an effort toward finding better treatments or a cure for this devastating disease," said Dr. Allison.

The one-year grant term will begin on July 1, 2014. Dr. Allison represented his work at the Debbie's Dream Foundation Dream Makers Gala in Fort Lauderdale on April 26, 2014. The Gala event raised funds to increase the treatment options available for stomach cancer patients. To participate in the quest to fund the Young Fellowship Award, promote awareness, and provide support services to stomach cancer patients and their families, visit www.DebbiesDream.org.

Debbie Zelman, President and Founder of Debbie's Dream Foundation, was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer in 2008 and founded the organization the following year. DDF seeks as its ultimate goal to bring attention and action to this important cause. The organization's Grant Program is designed to build the stomach cancer research community, incubate innovative research projects, expedite scientific and medical breakthroughs, and nurture collaborations across disciplines and institutions.

"We have been working tirelessly to fund research indirectly through advocacy and we are thrilled to now fund gastric cancer research directly," said Debbie Zelman. "With this grant, we are achieving our mission, and we are one step closer to our ultimate goal of making the cure for stomach cancer a reality."

About Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer:

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support internationally to patients, families, and caregivers. DDF seeks as its ultimate goal to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality. DDF was the first stomach cancer organization and now has 20 Chapters in the US, Canada and Germany. DDF helps patients worldwide through a free Patient Resource Education Program (PREP) and Mentor Program; hosts free education events internationally; has a world renowned Medical Advisory Board; has thousands of supporters and volunteers; advocates for increased federal funding for stomach cancer research; and directly funds research. For more information about DDF, visit www.DebbiesDream.org.

About the American Association for Cancer Research:
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 34,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and cancer advocates residing in more than 90 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 20 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with more than 18,000 attendees. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org.

Media Contact:

Jenna Reed

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer

(954) 475-1200, Email

SOURCE Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer

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