HU-3F8 Becoming a Reality - $1m Raised Already!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Nick Lynch Fans:

I am pleased to paste the following information regarding HU-3f8. MSKCC is a huge organization but we have made a difference and they are moving forward on the Humanized Version of this Neuroblastoma Killer called 3F8.

The fund raising must continue so stay tuned for a huge Nick Lynch event at the Granite Bay Golf Club in January. Details coming soon.

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Hello Band of Parents -
Please see the following correspondence that was sent to the BOP Executive Committee from Sloan yesterday. Thanks to everyone for making this initiative so successful in it's early stages. We'll let you know more about a meeting and next steps with the hospital soon. Happy Holidays!
With Hope -Gavin LindbergPresidentBand of Parents
In response to your recent requests for updates and a time for Dr. Cheung to meet as a group, I am sending this brief summary. We are seeking to arrange a meeting for early to mid-January to provide a more comprehensive update and plan, and we will send a potential date and time out to you, once identified. Please share this email with other involved parents to keep all informed.
In the meantime, I an happy to advise you that MSKCC has made the commitment to move forward with the project to humanize the 3f8 antibody, as dollars to support this work are identified. As a result, Dr. Cheung has been able to commence, and is authorized to complete, negotiations with outside companies to perform all or aspects of the work to engineer and produce the product, which is not contingent on having funds in hand. He is quite enthusiastic about two outside firms in particular currently interested in developing the antibody, and talks continue.
Your fund-raising efforts are to be applauded. We estimate over $1 million dollars has been raised to date for this effort from The Loneliest Road campaign, a pledge of intent from an outside, private foundation, and the Band of Parents' cookie sales and on-line auction. No funds from any of these entities have been received here as yet, but a "Neuroblastoma Initiatives" Fund has been segregated here, and any giving in support of neuroblastoma research, not otherwise stipulated, is being directed to this entity, including MSKCC's on-line donation capability. A small amount has been received to date (< $100,000). We encourage interested donors to make these contributions directly. Their gifts may be made payable to 'Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center', with a cover letter indicating the gift is in support of the antibody initiative, and the funds will be credited accordingly. It is not known what this endeavor will ultimately cost, but we are committed to bringing this through manufacturing to the lab and ultimately through clinical trials and production for all who will benefit from its use.
Media requests have been facilitated and potential donors have been responded to by me or Zeena Abdulahad, our Development Officer, as you all have directed them to us. The BoP cookies are on sale in MSKCC's gift shop today.
Dr. Cheung will be prepared to fill you all in at the January meeting on where his negotiations stand and his projections for next steps and timeframes. I reiterate that MSKCC is committed to this project and that dollars in hand are in no way driving the timetable or our ability to finalize and carry through on contractual arrangements. We are able to do this as a result of your demonstrated results. With the continuing combined energy, efforts, and commitment of all of you and all those on Dr. Cheung's team, we look forward to ongoing successes as we move forward together.
With our gratitude to all of you, your loved ones, and all who have responded on behalf of your precious children, we at Memorial Sloan-Kettering send our very best wishes for a happy holiday season and new beginnings in the coming year.
Sincerely, Nina
Nina J. Pickett, M.P.S. Administrator Department of Pediatrics Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center