WASHINGTON, October 1, 2026 – Blood Cancer United® and the Edward P. Evans Foundation announced a $5 million collaboration to advance research for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) through a Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) grant, one of Blood Cancer United's largest and most collaborative research investments.
Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of blood cancers diagnosed in approximately 10,000 to 15,000 people in the United States each year. MDS primarily affects older adults, and some forms of the disease can progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive blood cancer, highlighting the urgent need for research that can lead to more effective treatment options.
The collaboration includes a $2.5 million investment from each organization to support a five-year multidisciplinary research program focused on improving outcomes for patients with MDS.
"MDS remains an area of significant unmet need, and progress depends on both scientific innovation and collaboration," said Lore Gruenbaum, Ph.D., chief scientific officer for Blood Cancer United. "This collaboration brings together more than funding. It combines scientific expertise, deep knowledge of the challenges facing patients with MDS, and a shared commitment to accelerating progress. By working together, we can support research with the potential to deepen our understanding of the disease and help drive better outcomes for patients.”
Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) awards bring together teams of leading investigators working across institutions and scientific disciplines. By supporting multiple interconnected projects under a single research program, SCOR fosters collaboration, accelerates scientific discovery and helps move promising research closer to clinical application.
Each SCOR award provides up to $5 million over five years, giving research teams the stability and long-term support needed to tackle complex scientific challenges that may take years to solve. The program is designed to support collaborative research efforts that can generate new insights and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.
Timothy Graubert, M.D., president of the Edward P. Evans Foundation, emphasized the importance of sustained investment in MDS research.
"We're committed to supporting innovative, high-impact research that advances our understanding of MDS and moves us closer to better treatments and cures," said Graubert. "We're proud to collaborate with Blood Cancer United to support investigators pursuing discoveries that can improve outcomes for patients and families affected by this disease."
The MDS-focused award is one of two SCOR funding opportunities currently accepting proposals, representing up to $10 million in potential multi-year research investments focused on areas of significant unmet need across all blood cancers.
The second SCOR award, funded solely by Blood Cancer United, will prioritize research into another area of high unmet need such as T-cell lymphoma, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), high-risk multiple myeloma, or childhood leukemia.
This reflects Blood Cancer United's commitment to investing in research that addresses persistent gaps in treatment and outcomes, including diseases that affect smaller patient populations and require sustained scientific focus to accelerate progress for patients.
Learn more about the SCOR program and current funding opportunities at https://bloodcancerunited.org/specialized-center-research-program-scor.
About Blood Cancer United®
Blood Cancer United® (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) is the largest global nonprofit focused on blood cancer patient support, research, and advocacy. The organization’s mission is to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families. To achieve it, Blood Cancer United brings together a community of people—patients and their families, volunteers, healthcare providers, scientists, staff, partners, fundraisers, and philanthropists—who believe all blood cancer patients deserve longer, fuller lives.
Since the organization’s founding in 1949, it has consistently evolved to better serve people affected by all 100-plus types of blood cancers—including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Blood Cancer United offers free, trustworthy resources, personalized support, and community for anyone affected by blood cancer. The organization has invested more than $2 billion in clinical research, which continues to increase survival rates. Blood Cancer United advocates nationally and locally for more accessible and affordable healthcare for all patients.
For support and to learn more, visit BloodCancerUnited.org. Patients can contact blood cancer information specialists at (800) 966-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Connect with the organization on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
About the Edward P. Evans Foundation
Founded in 1984, The Edward P. Evans Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust dedicated to funding research on Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) through its EvansMDS Initiative. The mission of EvansMDS is to fuel the discovery of new knowledge that will lead to the development of better MDS therapies and ultimately, disease cures. Additional information can be found at: https://evansmds.org/