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Roger J. Packer, MD, Honored with the Children's Humanitarian Award from the Children's Tumor Foundation

New York, NY − The Children's Tumor Foundation honored Roger J. Packer, MD, at their annual gala, which recognizes those who have contributed to advancing research and treatment in neurofibromatosis (NF). The Children’s Tumor Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of millions of people living with NF.

“The Children’s Tumor Foundation’s success is based, in part, on the collaborations we build with researchers nationwide,” said George Orfanakos, the Foundation’s President. “Dr. Packer has had an unparalleled career of helping current NF patients through state-of-the-art treatments, and future patients through his research. There is no more deserving honoree.”

In addition to serving as Senior Vice President for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine at Children's National Medical Center, Dr. Packer also leads The Gilbert Family Neurofibromatosis Institute. The institute is home to an internationally-recognized team focused on advancing basic, clinical, and translational research, as well as developing evidence-based protocols for treatment of NF.

Dr. Packer is also Chair of the Department of Defense sponsored Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium comprised of academic medical centers across the country rapidly testing the newest in biologic-driven therapies for children and adults with NF2.

“The Children’s Tumor Foundation has taken a major leadership role in the development of new therapeutics for NF and in creating working relationships between industry, academia, and other partners like The Gilbert Family Neurofibromatosis Institute at Children’s National,” said Dr. Packer. “The goal of our work at Children’s National, of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and the Consortium are all the same: to develop more effective therapies for those with NF so they can live normal lives and put all of us in the medical arena out of business by preventing the complications of this condition. This is a real possibility in the near future.”

NF encompasses three distinct genetic disorders, NF1, NF2, and Schwannomatosis, that cause tumors to grow along nerves throughout the body. NF can lead to blindness, bone abnormalities, cancer, deafness, disfigurement, learning disabilities, and excruciating and disabling pain. NF is under-recognized and under-diagnosed, yet affects more people than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington’s disease combined. 

Contacts:

  • For Children's National Public Relations:  Paula Darte - 202-476-4500
  • For Children's Tumor Foundation Public Relations:  Mary Vetting - 212-344-6633, ext. 252 

About Children's Tumor Foundation:

The Children's Tumor Foundation is a 501(C)(3), not-for-profit organization and recipient of a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.  The Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the millions of people worldwide living with neurofibromatosis (NF), a term for three distinct disorders: NF1, NF2 and schwannomatosis.  NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and can lead to blindness, bone abnormalities, cancer, deafness, disfigurement, learning disabilities and excruciating and disabling pain. NF is under-recognized and underdiagnosed, yet affects more people than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease combined.  The Children’s Tumor Foundation funds critical research to find treatments for NF.  In addition to benefitting those who live with NF, this research is shedding new light on several forms of cancer, brain tumors, bone abnormalities and learning disabilities, ultimately benefiting the broader community.   For more information, please visit www.ctf.org

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