Media Room--We can provide journalists with expert commentary on topics like:  

  • Challenges facing early career scientists, and new technologies and trends in cancer research (all forms of cancer)
  • Connections to bright, articulate early career scientists involved in leading-edge cancer research projects
  • Introductions to scientists and doctors nationwide, and interviews with our President and CEO, Board Members, or others

Contact: Yung S. Lie, PhD, President and CEO, yung.lie@damonrunyon.org, 212.455.0521 

Press releases are listed below.  Visit New Discoveries for breakthroughs from our scientists.

Mission: To accelerate breakthroughs, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation provides today’s best young scientists with funding to pursue innovative cancer research. The Foundation supports emerging leaders who have great potential to achieve breakthroughs in how we diagnose, treat and prevent cancer. Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation has invested nearly $450 million and funded 4,000 young scientists. 100% of all donations to the Foundation are used to support scientific research. 

January 8, 2019

Effective in 2019, the Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation and Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Awards will be increased by 33% for new and current scientists. For 72 years, Damon Runyon has funded the brightest and boldest scientists—risk-takers whose innovative ideas have the potential to make game-changing breakthroughs. During this time, our researchers have pioneered new approaches for detecting and treating cancer, saving countless lives. We are committed to doing even more to support these extraordinary young scientists.

September 24, 2018

San Francisco, CA (September 24, 2018) -- On Sunday, October 21, 2018, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, in partnership with Boston Properties, will host Runyon Up, a stair climb at the new Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, to raise funds for innovative cancer research.


August 20, 2018

Grants totaling nearly $4.2M give early career investigators independence to pursue novel ideas


New York, NY (August 20, 2018) – The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on supporting innovative early career researchers, named 18 new Damon Runyon Fellows at its Spring Fellowship Award Committee review. The recipients of this prestigious, four-year award are outstanding postdoctoral scientists conducting basic and translational cancer research in the laboratories of leading senior investigators across the country. The Fellowship encourages the nation's most promising young scientists to pursue careers in cancer research by providing them with independent funding ($231,000 total) to work on innovative projects.


August 15, 2018

New York, NY August 15, 2018 –Chairman Alan M. Leventhal of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation today announced the appointment of Yung S. Lie,  PhD , as incoming Damon Runyon President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Lie succeeds Lorraine W. Egan, who will step down as President and CEO in December.  Dr. Lie, currently Deputy Director and Chief Scientific Officer of Damon Runyon, is the first scientist and Damon Runyon alumna to lead the organization since it was founded in 1946.


August 13, 2018

This year, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation earned its eighth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. Only 3% of charities evaluated have this track record. Damon Runyon has "consistently demonstrated strong financial health and a commitment to accountability and transparency," said Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. "Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work," Thatcher added.

July 16, 2018

Damon Runyon and The Sohn Conference Foundations Combine Efforts to Tackle Cancers in Children and Young Adults 


New York, NY (July 16, 2018) – The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named five outstanding young scientists as recipients of the prestigious Damon Runyon-Sohn Pediatric Cancer Fellowship Award, committing over $1.15 million to help address a critical shortage of funding for pediatric cancer research. 

July 6, 2018

New York, NY (July 6, 2018) - The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation named six new Damon Runyon Clinical Investigators at its spring 2018 Clinical Investigator Award Committee review. The recipients of this prestigious three-year award are outstanding early career physician-scientists conducting patient-oriented cancer research at major research centers under the mentorship of the nation’s leading scientists and clinicians. Each will receive $450,000 to support the development of his/her cancer research program.

June 7, 2018

New York, NY (June 7, 2018) -- On Wednesday, June 6, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation raised more than $2.6 million at its Annual Breakfast to support innovative scientists working to prevent, detect and treat all forms of cancer. It was the highest fundraising total ever for the event.  The Breakfast, held at the iconic Cipriani 42nd Street in New York, honored Leon G. Cooperman, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Omega Advisors, Inc., and Damon Runyon Board of Directors member, for his longstanding commitment to investing in new generations of researchers.


May 16, 2018

New York, NY (May 16, 2018) – Physician-scientists are crucial to moving scientific discoveries from the lab to patients, but their numbers have been dwindling just when they are needed most, particularly in cancer research, as the number of cancer cases is projected to increase by 45 percent in the next fifteen years and elevate cancer to the leading cause of death in America.    

April 16, 2018

BRONX, New York – April 17, 2018 – On Sunday, April 15, 2018, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation held its 10th Annual Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium. Over $400,000 was raised at the event with 100% of donations fueling cutting-edge research by brilliant, early career scientists.