The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in Norwalk, Connecticut, has announced a grant of more than $4 million from Ronald O. Perelman and Dr. Anna Chapman to establish a research program dedicated to the early detection and prevention of multiple myeloma.

Made through the Perelman Family Foundation, the gift will establish the Perelman Family Foundation Early Disease Translational Research Program within the MMRF Prevention Project and support efforts to advance early detection, delay disease progression, and prevent the disease. To that end, the program, which will bring together six leading cancer research centers — the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Rockefeller University, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Yale University — will focus on better understanding genomic determinants of early disease progression; how microenvironment factors influence early disease progression; and patient tumor immunity.

"We are so thankful to Ronald and Anna for supporting our vision for a bold program that will take us one step closer to a future where our children and grandchildren will never need to worry about incurable cancers," said MMRF founder Kathy Giusti. "Not only does the MMRF answer the questions of patients today and urgently deliver them the precise information and treatment they need to fight their multiple myeloma, but, with this generous donation, we will now also be able to focus on the patients of tomorrow."