The Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) today announced it has received a $5 million endowment gift from The Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation. This $5 million gift brings NETRF’s 2021 fundraising total to $7.26 million to fund NET research around the globe.
Automobile publishing giant Robert E. Petersen passed away in 2007 from neuroendocrine cancer, which is diagnosed in an estimated 12,000 Americans each year. The disease also claimed the lives of Apple founder Steve Jobs and legendary performer Aretha Franklin.
“Our appreciation for the Petersen Foundation’s enormous generosity is beyond measure,” said Elyse Gellerman, NETRF’s CEO. “Just last month we announced $4.1 million in funding for 16 researchers, including two exceptional scientists awarded Peterson Accelerator and Investigator Awards,” said Gellerman. “This additional $5 million brings the Petersen Foundation’s total amount donated to NETRF to $25 million; the Foundation’s financial support is truly the bedrock of NETRF’s tremendous growth and success since 2015,” she added.
“I know the Petersens would be very happy with the exceptional and impressive research they are funding,” said Kevin Strauch, Trustee of the Petersen Foundation. “We are all so proud of NETRF’s accomplishments and particularly impressed by their steady growth, even during pandemic times,” he added.
In further recognition for their transformational support, NETRF’s annual research symposium will be renamed ‘The Margie and Robert E. Petersen Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Symposium.’ “I can think of no greater tribute to Margie and Robert than naming this successful research symposium in honor of their financial support for neuroendocrine cancer research that will lead to a cure,” Strauch added.
“This is a significant boost to our endowment,” said Susan Payson. NETRF’s Chief Development Officer. “For a non-profit as small as we are, a healthy endowment provides us with a consistent and reliable source of funding in perpetuity and it also helps us attract new donors to guarantee the long-term support of our mission,” she added.
NETRF is the leading non-profit organization supporting NET research worldwide, committed to funding the most promising research to improve diagnostics techniques, increase NET treatment options and ultimately discover cures for neuroendocrine cancers. NETRF research grants support the work of leading scientists at renowned research institutions in 12 countries.
There are few clues as to what makes neuroendocrine tumors form, change, and grow. For more than fifteen years, NETRF has cultivated, connected and supported a growing community of researchers dedicated to breakthrough scientific research in the quest to cure neuroendocrine cancers. Since its inception, the NET Research Foundation has awarded over $36 million in research grants to leading scientists at renowned research institutions.
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The Margie & Robert E. Petersen Foundation was founded in 1997 by Robert Petersen, publishing magnate and founder of the Petersen Automotive Museum, and his wife Margie. Throughout their lives, the Petersens gave tirelessly to support the Southern California community they loved, including gifts for the Petersen Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where Margie served as a member of the board of trustees for a decade.
About the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF)
NETRF is the leading private funder of neuroendocrine cancer research and a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of NETRF is to fund research to discover cures and more effective treatments for neuroendocrine cancers. NETRF awards research grants to leading scientists at renowned research institutions worldwide. NETRF is supported by charitable donations from individuals and foundations. Since 2005, NETRF has invested more than $36 million in neuroendocrine tumor research.