On behalf of the College of Pharmacy, Girish Shah and Paul Sylvester, ULM basic pharmaceutical science professors, accepted a $10,000 check from the Louisiana Cancer Foundation.

Virginia Knickerbocker, director of the Louisiana Cancer Foundation, center, presents a check to Dr. Girish Shah, left, and Dr. Paul Sylvester, right, as Lamar Pritchard, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, far left, and Jan Corder, dean of the College of Health Sciences, far right, look on.

Photo by Richard Lupo, University Photo Services

Shah, who specializes in prostate cancer research, and Sylvester, who researches breast cancer, will use the funds to purchase supplies, lab equipment and testing materials.

The research being conducted by ULM’s pharmacy professors is vital, said Virginia Knickerbocker, director of the Louisiana Cancer Foundation. “It is important that significant cancer research such as this is taking place in our own community.”

Research plays a major role in the foundation’s mission, she said.
“We are proud to be able to focus on the research aspect of our mission along with education, early detection, and prevention.”

The Louisiana Cancer Foundation was founded in 1999 by the Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute for the purpose of increasing public awareness, early detection, treatment, and research for cancer in the state of Louisiana. It also supports several organizations with volunteer and monetary help.

The foundation raises money through their annual gala and donations. Sixty percent of those funds go toward patient assistance.

For more information about the foundation, please contact Knickerbocker at (318) 327-1996.