Webinar: ‘Hope in the Fight Against Blood Cancers’

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, UVA Health Development and University Advancement’s Office of Engagement hosted a special virtual program to share how UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center is transforming the treatment of blood cancers for patients in Virginia and beyond. The webinar’s panelists included internationally renowned UVA doctors and scientists at the forefront of studying and treating these devastating diseases, including through UVA’s pioneering Translational Orphan Blood Cancer Research Initiative (TOBCRI). 

UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center faculty featured in the webinar included: 

• Thomas P. Loughran Jr., MD, director of UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, TOBCRI co-leader, and LGL leukemia discoverer and leading expert 

• Owen A. O’Connor, MD, PhD, American Cancer Society Research Professor, TOBCRI co-leader, co-director of the T-Cell Lymphoma Research Program, and international authority on lymphoma 

• Craig Portell, MD, section head for Hematologic Malignancies and medical director, Hematologic Malignancies Clinical Research Program 

These physician-researchers shared a glimpse into exciting discoveries leading to groundbreaking new therapies and new hope for blood cancer patients. 

Laahn Ho Foster, MD, an associate professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, moderated the panelists’ presentations and the audience Q&A that followed. 

If you missed the event or would like to revisit the enlightening conversation, watch our recording of the webinar: 

Top image (left to right): Thomas P. Loughran Jr., MD; Owen A. O’Connor, MD, PhD; Craig Portell, MD; and Laahn Ho Foster, MD