Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Kathy Giusti, founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, both received awards to recognize their outstanding support and advocacy for biomedical research and the practice of hematology at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
"Individuals like Senator Mikulski and Kathy Giusti are invaluable to the hematology field," ASH President, Linda J. Burns, MD, said in a news release. "Their passion for advancing research opportunities is truly inspirational, especially in the midst of today's challenging research landscape. ASH is grateful for their significant efforts and commitment to improve the care of patients with blood disorders."
Mikulski received the 2014 ASH Public Service Award, which recognizes unparalleled leadership by an elected public official on issues of importance to hematology research and/or practice. Mikulski was selected to receive the award because of her significant efforts to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health, including her efforts advocating for the cause as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee (which oversees all federal discretionary spending) and other efforts since first being elected to the Senate in 1986.
Mikulski has played a key role in the bi-partisan effort to double the NIH budget between 1998 and 2003 and has most recently urged Congress to restore federal funding to pre-sequestration levels to ensure the continuation of biomedical research.
"I'm so pleased to receive this tremendous honor from the American Society of Hematology for my support of the National Institutes of Health, Mikulski said in an email to OT.
"ASH is a public health powerhouse, working with clinician and scientists to conquer blood diseases. They've also been passionate partners in my fight to increase funding for NIH, the foundation for U.S. medical innovation, saving and improving lives around the world. To do its important work, NIH needs a government that's on its side. As Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I've been proud to put funds in the federal checkbook for NIH, reaching across the aisle to double the NIH budget."
Giusti received the 2014 ASH Outstanding Service Award, which recognizes effective, "behind-the-scenes" leadership in areas relevant to the mission of ASH. She was selected to receive this year's award because of her efforts to raise public awareness and increase research for multiple myeloma. Giusti, after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1998, founded the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation with her twin sister, Karen Andrews. Giusti focused the mission of the MMRF on identifying barriers that slowed drug development, as well as developing patient-centered, collaborative models to overcome those obstacles. Since its founding, the MMRF has become the world's top private funder of multiple myeloma research.
"As both a patient and Founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, I am honored to receive the ASH Outstanding Service Award knowing it represents the tireless work of the entire myeloma community," Giusti said in an email. "The MMRF has been proud to work with extraordinary scientists, clinicians, industry peers, and FDA to spearhead collaborative models and accelerate a cure in this devastating disease. Together, we have dramatically extended the lives of the many patients we serve."
-Sarah DiGiulio