Journey Through the Highlights of the 12th Annual Cancer Immunotherapy Month™ 

Each June, CRI invites its global community of scientists, caretakers, patients, and more to take part in Cancer Immunotherapy Month™ to help foster awareness and provide fundraising for crucial cancer immunotherapy research. This past June, CRI helped illuminate many unique voices during the month, from stage IV lung cancer survivors to immunologists who specialize in studying cells that line our intestines – there was something for everyone.

“These stories are about hope, persistence, and the power of scientific discovery,” CRI CEO and Director of Scientific Affairs Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, PhD, said in her kick-off video for Cancer Immunotherapy Month™. Dr. O’Donnell-Tormey also highlighted other offerings that would be presented in June, such as a presentation on how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing bioinformatics. 

On National Cancer Survivor’s Day, CRI shared a video presentation from CRI’s Patient Immunotherapy Summit where CRI’s Assistant Director of Scientific Content, Dr. Ajit Muley, led a panel discussion featuring three CRI ImmunoAdvocates. The featured ImmunoAdvocates shared their stories of perseverance, insights from their experiences with cancer, and hopes for further immunotherapy progress. 

Additionally, CRI hosted a LinkedIn Live event on June 6 highlighting findings from a CRI survey of U.S. oncologists about current advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) research and treatment. 

Furthermore, CRI hosted weekly ‘Webinar Wednesdays’ throughout June that highlighted CRI immunologists who are making significant inroads in the fight against cancer. They covered the future of lung cancer care and immunotherapy, illuminated mRNA vaccines, and explored the challenges in diagnosing pancreatic cancer and its treatment options. The culmination of Webinar Wednesdays was CRI’s live webinar on June 26, featuring CRI Scientific Advisory Council member, Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, director of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. 

June 14 was this year’s #Immune2Cancer Day, a focused day of giving in which ImmunoAdvocates and CRI immunologists alike emphasized the importance of CRI donors. “We have exploited the power of the immune system to recognize and treat cancers that (previously) have been almost untreatable,” E. John Wherry, PhD, associate director of the CRI Scientific Advisory Council, said in his #Immune2Cancer message. 

From the attendees of a CRI Associate Board event that raised over $35,000 to immunologists and ImmunoAdvocates who generously offered their expertise and time, CRI is deeply appreciative of everyone who participated in the 12^th annual Cancer Immunotherapy Month™. We are also especially thankful for our donors. Together, we have unlocked our $300,000 match. Your gift will be in the hands of CRI scientists in the next 30 days, bringing us ever closer to a world immune to cancer.