PUBLISHED IN , , ,

Cynthia Brodhead Hosts Breakfast to Support Leukemia, Lymphoma Research

Breakfast kicks off campaign for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

David Rizzieri, MD, who directs the Hematological Malignancy Program in Duke’s Department Medicine, spoke at a breakfast in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's
David Rizzieri, MD, who directs the Hematological Malignancy Program in Duke’s Department Medicine, spoke at a breakfast in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Light the Night Walk."
David Jarmul

When Cynthia Brodhead's name popped up in the e-mail of Duke medical researcher David Rizzieri several weeks ago, he thought that she may be offering him basketball tickets to the next Duke-UNC game.

"It was the next best thing," he said, upon learning that Brodhead, wife of Duke President Richard Brodhead, wanted him to speak about the importance of supporting leukemia and lymphoma research.

Read More

Speaking at the Doris Duke Center Tuesday morning at a gathering of the North Carolina chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Rizzieri recalled receiving Brodhead's invitation to speak at the event. Brodhead, who is chairing the society's annual "Light the Night" Walk, chuckled with the rest of the audience as Rizzieri described his momentary confusion.

Rizzieri, who directs the Hematological Malignancy Program in Duke's Department Medicine, went on to describe how he and other Duke physicians are treating blood cancer patients with stem cell transplants and other therapies developed with support from the society, which currently provides about $2.5 million to Duke research teams.

"We here at Duke are proud to contribute to this game-changing research and patient care," Brodhead said. Noting the extensive toll of leukemia and other cancers, she encouraged members of the university community to participate in the society's fund-raising walks this fall, including one on November 5 in Durham.