In support of NIH and NCI Funding of Myleoproliferative Disorder Research

In reference to the MPD Research Consortium application for funding from the National Institute of Health and the National Cancer Institute
(1P01 CA108671-01-A1)

The patient community is in desperate need of clinical trials and basic research in the field of myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs). The MPD Research Consortium, an international group of leading investigators in this field, has submitted a proposal to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) within the National Institute of Health (NIH), asking for funding to conduct such research and trials.

There are more than 100,000 patients affected by MPDs in the U.S., yet there have been no large clinical trials in these disorders in North America for over 34 years. I therefore urge both the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Health to fund the Program Project Grant submitted by the MPD Research Consortium.

This funding would generate much needed knowledge on the causes and treatment of MPDs, a currently underserved group of disorders.

We patients, family members and friends vigorously support the MPD Research Consortium grant.

The MPD Foundation has financially supported the MPD Research Consortium over the last two years because we believe it offers the single biggest opportunity to accelerate the state of science for these blood cancers in over three decades. The MPD-RC is comprised of a passionate group of dedicated researchers with a proven track record in MPD medical research, innovative study design, data management, multi-institutional participation, biostatistics and bioinformatics.

The preliminary data suggests MPD prevalence in the United States is an order of magnitude greater than currently believed and further substantiates that this group of blood cancers are grossly underserved with respect to research funding.

We as MPD patients, members of their families and friends being also affected by this group of blood diseases, agree to sign this petition in support of said funding by the NCI and NIH.