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$20 Million to Johns Hopkins for Pancreas Cancer Research - 06/11/2010

$20 Million to Johns Hopkins for Pancreas Cancer Research

Release Date: June 11, 2010

June 11, 2010 - Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center has been awarded the largest gift for pancreas cancer research in its history. The award was made possible by Albert P. “Skip” Viragh, Jr., a mutual fund leader, and a pancreas cancer patient treated at Johns Hopkins.  He died of the disease at age 62.

The funds formally establish the Skip Viragh Center for Pancreas Cancer Clinical Research and Patient Care. The Skip Viragh Center brings together the extensive pancreas cancer laboratory and clinical expertise already in place at Johns Hopkins and cutting-edge research discoveries to improve patient care. The Center also allows for the expansion of current internationally recognized clinical programs and the development of promising new ideas in pancreas cancer as well as support promising new research by young investigators.

The new center’s namesake was considered to be one of the region’s most influential mutual fund investment authorities. He founded Rydex Investments, based in Rockville, Md., and grew the business from a three-person operation to a 200-employee enterprise with $10 billion in assets under management.

“This extraordinary gift has significantly strengthened our abilities on every front and will enable Johns Hopkins physician-scientists from many disciplines to find new ways to prevent, treat and ultimately cure pancreas cancer,” said Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., co-director of the Skip Viragh Center and the Dana and Albert "Cubby" Broccoli Professor in Oncology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.

Pancreas cancer is one of the most lethal.  It is the fourth leading cause of cancer death and only five percent of patients survive five years after diagnosis.

 “From research to education to helping us recruit the very best new talent, the Center will make a huge difference in patients’ lives for many decades to come,” said Daniel Laheru, M.D., co-director of the Skip Viragh Center and the Ian T. MacMillian Professor in Clinical Pancreatic Cancer Research.

“The Viragh gift builds on the already strong foundation of discovery and innovation at Johns Hopkins, including the first mapping of the pancreas cancer genome, a therapeutic vaccine, perfecting the Whipple surgical procedure and expertise in diagnosis and staging,” said William Nelson, director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.
Johns Hopkins also is home to the National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry.

 “We believe investing in Johns Hopkins expertise will have a significant impact on its scientists’ ability to conquer this disease,” said Katherine Viragh. “Losing a loved one to pancreas cancer is devastating and our hope is that the Skip Viragh Center for Pancreas Cancer Clinical Research and Patient Care will help make the world a better place for cancer patients,” she added. 

A new Web site, launched with the gift, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/pancreascancer, contains comprehensive information about pancreas cancer treatment and research at the Skip Viragh Center.

Pancreas Cancer Patient Stories:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG8R3Qq2y9A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuOlhPB96GM

For the Media

Media Contact: Amy Mone
410-955-1287; [email protected]