Likewise, the Norman B. Gaylis, MD, Research Award for Rheumatologists in Community Practice was established to encourage research from physicians who are engaged in patient care.
The success of Journey to Cure would not have been possible without support from the Corporate Roundtable, which played a fundamental role. AbbVie, Amgen, Genentech and Pfizer were among the pharmaceutical industry leaders who joined the dynamic partnership in support of Journey to Cure.
“At AbbVie, we are committed to fostering innovation in rheumatology and advancing research for rheumatic diseases,” says Jim Salanty, vice president, U.S. Rheumatology, AbbVie. “It has been an honor to support the Journey to Cure campaign over the past several years and to partner with the Rheumatology Research Foundation in its mission to improve treatment options and advance care for patients living with these potentially debilitating diseases.”
Amgen Inc. has also been an integral supporter of the Foundation’s awards and grants program. “As a long-time partner of the Rheumatology Research Foundation and supporter of its awards and grants program, we are thrilled to see the success of the Journey to Cure campaign,” says Daniel Billen, vice president and general manager, Inflammation and Nephrology at Amgen. “Recruiting and training future rheumatologists is an important step in helping advance the research and treatment outcomes for all rheumatic diseases, and we are proud to see the rheumatology community come together to exceed the fundraising goal for this campaign.”
“At Pfizer Inc., we are enormously proud of the success of Journey to Cure, which acknowledges the need for research and dedication to the field in order to help drive improvements in patient outcomes,” says Andrew Koenig, DO, FACR, Inflammation & Immunology Group Lead North America Medical Affairs, Pfizer Inc. “Pfizer believes in putting patients first, which is why we’re honored to support an organization that recognizes that when rheumatologists are fully engaged in their profession they can better help people with rheumatic conditions live healthier lives.”
For those affected by rheumatic diseases, Journey to Cure offers hope for better health and a brighter future. Steve and Debbie Russell, whose daughter Courtney suffered with symptoms for nine months before she was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, explain their support of the Foundation. “My appreciation and admiration for the Foundation have done nothing but skyrocket, and I give my eternal thanks to the doctors, researchers and investigators who truly dedicate their lives to making a difference for the people who suffer from these diseases,” Steve Russell says.
