Sponsored Insight
Due to medical advances in allogeneic stem cell transplantation practices, individuals with some hematological conditions may be able to live longer lives. While an allogeneic stem cell transplantation can provide a potential cure for certain blood cancers, it can also lead to life-threatening complications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD is a debilitating condition that can occur after an allogeneic stem cell transplantation and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. GVHD can not only be devastating for those living with the condition, as they may often feel alone and unprepared, but it can also provide hardships for their caregivers, given the limited support and information available.
To help address these specific needs, Incyte launched the Incyte Ingenuity Award program, which aims to support the GVHD community by funding novel initiatives. Now in its second year, Incyte has expanded the award program to include two awards of differing amounts — one awarding up to $35,000 and another up to $100,000 — to better support projects of different scales.
Dr. Shrina Duggal, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center and previous Incyte Ingenuity Award program judge, is returning to the judging panel this year in hopes to use her clinical expertise to select the two best-suited projects to support the GVHD community. “At the Hillman Cancer Center, I see first-hand the struggles faced by those impacted by GVHD, often due to the lack of resources available,” said Dr. Duggal. “The Incyte Ingenuity Award program gives this community much needed hope for a better future beyond this devastating disease.”
Submissions are welcome from non-profit501(c)(3), patient, policy and caregiver organizations, or healthcare providers and mid-level/junior faculty from healthcare organizations who apply on behalf of their organization. Individuals and leading-edge companies are encouraged to apply but must partner with a non-profit or healthcare facility to be eligible.
2020 Incyte Ingenuity Award winner, Mass General Cancer Center, was recognized for its project, Horizon Mobile App for Patients with Chronic GVHD. This award-winning app aims to improve the quality of life and care of patients with chronic GVHD and does so via an educational game that allows a patient character to navigate through a journey as they cope with their chronic GVHD.
Dr. Areej El-Jawahri, director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivorship Program at Mass General Cancer Center, expressed her excitement about the additional support her award-winning program is able to provide to the GVHD community. “We are pleased to be able to move forward and support a population that experiences such emotional, physical and functional limitations,” said Dr. El-Jawahri. “We remain eager to further implement the Horizon mobile app and look forward to seeing even more innovative projects that continue breaking down barriers impacting the GVHD community.”
Entries are now open and will be accepted through June 30, 2021 on www.Incyteingenuityawards.com.
Sponsored by Incyte Corporation. MAT-INC-01073 02/21