FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
7 March 2022
CONTACT:
Asian Fund for Cancer Research
Bradley Gillenwater, Senior Director
E-mail: bgillenwater@afcr.org
New Asian Fund for Cancer Research Chairman Lance Kawaguchi
Hong Kong – The Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) has announced Lance Kawaguchi, CEO of Australian charity Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, as the new chairman of its board of directors. Mr. Kawaguchi’s appointment will bring a new and global perspective to the leadership of AFCR, opening pathways to novel collaborations and partnerships for the benefit of the region’s cancer community.
AFCR is committed to funding cancer research and promoting high-impact global collaborations to improve outcomes for cancer patients. It is focused on supporting innovative discovery and translational projects that unlock new information about how cancer forms and spreads, and how to treat it.
Mr. Kawaguchi’s appointment as chair of the board of directors, which he joined early this year, reflects AFCR’s commitment to achieve its vision of a region—and world—without cancer. It paves the way to increased visibility for the organization beyond Greater China and Singapore, where AFCR’s footprint has historically been largest, and also brings a new dynamism to complement and enhance the capacity of founder and CEO Sujuan Ba, Ph.D.
“I am honoured that such an accomplished global executive and passionate cancer-fighting advocate as Lance Kawaguchi is stepping in as chair of the Asian Fund for Cancer Research’s board of directors,” expressed Dr. Ba. “The growth and leadership which Lance has brought to Cure Brain Cancer Foundation will inform and drive the impact of AFCR by embracing digital platforms and continuing to support early-stage biopharmaceutical companies to benefit scientists, innovators and, ultimately, patients.”
Lance Kawaguchi is an internationally recognised executive leader and board member, with over 25 years of global finance and banking experience, including living and working throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. His current appointment as CEO of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is a testament to his strong, advocating vision for supporting people and families living with cancer, by supporting innovative research to drive outcomes for those affected by the disease.
“The Asian Fund for Cancer Research has differentiated itself, especially in our region, in so many ways,” said Mr Kawaguchi. “A cancer-type-agnostic approach to its funded research initiatives, a willingness to say, ‘yes,’ where others say, ‘no,’ and track records of punching above its weight and building coalitions across borders and oceans—these are strengths that AFCR will continue to build upon.”
“I will focus on empowering our dynamic CEO, Sujuan Ba, to apply her tremendous energies, experience, background and skills to take the organization to a new level of impact,” continued Mr. Kawaguchi. “Impact that focuses on the net results: finding cures for Asian-prevalent cancers globally.”
“It’s that simple. And it’s a challenge I look forward to taking on.”
About the Asian Fund for Cancer Research
The Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) is a non-profit organization committed to curing cancers that have significant impacts on Asian populations. Headquartered in Hong Kong, AFCR is uniquely positioned to implement in Asia the newest cancer research discoveries and technologies from around the world, investigate the distinct causes of cancer in Asian populations through innovative genetic and molecular research, and develop more effective therapies tailored to the region’s cancer patients. For more information, visit https://afcr.org.
About Cure Brain Cancer Foundation
Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is an Australian-based organisation, which is working globally to rapidly improve brain cancer survival. The Foundation’s mission is to unite the community and rapidly increase brain cancer survival, improving quality of life for people impacted by the disease, with a vision to ultimately find a cure for brain cancer. We’ll achieve this by empowering people living with brain cancer to have a strong influential voice, while raising awareness and funding for innovative research to accelerate quality treatments to patients. For more information, visit https://www.curebraincancer.org.au.
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