C. Stevens (Steve) Cunningham was recently appointed to the position of Director of Development here at the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation. Steve brings more than 25 years' experience of developing philanthropic support for healthcare related nonprofits along the east coast.

Prior to joining the staff at CFCF, Steve was the Director of Development at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, New York where he oversaw the completion of a $20 million fundraising campaign to build a new Emergency Department, he also oversaw a significant growth of the hospital special events calendar and annual fund.

In accepting his new challenge here at CFCF, Steve commented "I am pleased to bring my talents and passion for securing funds needed to support and increase research projects that will lead us to a cure if not the prevention of carcinoid tumors. It is also wonderful to return to the Boston region, which I consider home".

On April 8th, thousands of researchers, patient advocates and others joined together for the Rally for Research in Washington D.C. The Rally called on Americans across the country to implore our nation's policymakers to make life-saving medical research funding a national priority. The crowd heard speakers from both political parties, national patient advocates, patients, and major research advocacy organizations who described the impacts of steady erosion of funding over the last several yearsas available funds trailed the costs of research. The implementation of the budget "sequester" brought special urgency to the need to ask Congress to act now.

On Friday, April 12th, the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation joined in partnership with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to host its 5th annual Los Angeles Patient Seminar. In attendance were 140 patients, families and caregivers. Another 85 people joined the education event via online viewing.

Attendees participated in several lectures led by expert physicians and researchers. Dr. George Fisher, associate professor and Director of Clinical Trials at the Stanford Cancer Institute began the day with a primer on NETs. Next, Dr. Edward Wolin, Co-Director of the Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumor Program at Cedars-Sinai, gave an overview of current clinical trials and PRRT to the audience. CFCF's Director of Research, Lauren Erb, updated the audience on new research and results of CFCF funded projects.

The annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) will be taking place Saturday, April 6 through Wednesday, April 10, in Washington, D.C. The AACR is the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focused on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research.Their annual meeting brings together the best and latest findings in all major areas of cancer research. The Caring for Carcinoid Foundation, including Executive Director, Ron Hollander ,and Director of Research, Lauren Erb, will be joining the AACR at its annual meeting.