Dr. John Leonard, the Richard T. Silver Distinguished Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology and interim Chair of the Weill Department of Medicine, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cancer Research & Treatment Fund, Inc. (CR&T) during its 2023 Cancer Survivors Hall of Fame Dinner on Nov. 16. The annual event honors survivors, humanitarians, and medical professionals committed to supporting life-saving research to better treat, prevent and cure cancer, particularly myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), as well as other blood cancers and solid tumors.
Dr. Leonard receives his award from Dr. Morton Coleman.
Founded in 1968 by prominent oncologist Dr. Richard T. Silver, CR&T has awarded more than $17 million in grants to research that has contributed to major advances in the fight against cancer.
"I am honored to be included among CR&T's awardees this year," Dr. Leonard said. "CR&T is a wonderful organization whose work funding vital research directly impacts patients." CR&T's support helped establish the Richard T. Silver Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) Center at Weill Cornell Medicine in 2011.
Dr. Leonard specializes in the research and treatment of lymphoma and other hematologic malignancies. A widely published researcher and lecturer at major international meetings, he is also well recognized for his level of care for patients. He leads the Lymphoma Committee of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, a cooperative research group of the National Cancer Institute, and has also served on numerous boards including organizations such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Lymphoma Research Foundation. He also is Senior Associate Dean for Innovation and Initiatives at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Dr. Leonard and Cancer Survivor Honoree Pat Battle.CR&T's 2023 Cancer Survivor Honoree was Pat Battle, co-anchor of Weekend Today in New York on NBC 4 New York, and breast cancer survivor. The evening also paid tribute to former CR&T board president Doug McCormick, who passed away in 2022 after a 17-year battle with Liposarcoma, a rare cancer.