George Leder Gave to MMRF "to Accelerate Cures"

Jim George Leder was a retired professor of organic chemistry and biochemistry at Rowan University in New Jersey. In addition to having an audience of students for his reliable stream of jokes, he loved taking a complicated subject and making it understandable. So it is no surprise that he became a student of multiple myeloma when diagnosed in 2010. The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) provided him with information on treatment options and connected him to Hackensack University Medical Center—a member of the MMRF’s Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium.

"No one can tell me when or if I will succumb; but with the efforts of the MMRF, hopefully that will be many years in the future," George said. "I understand that many patients don't support the MMRF; but if everyone could give just a little, imagine what we could accomplish to accelerate cures. Until then, I'll continue to contribute my share for those who can't." To that end, George made annual gifts through an individual retirement account (IRA) and through a charitable fund established through Fidelity.

After undergoing a tandem stem cell transplant (SCT) in late 2010/early 2011, George had an almost three-year remission. After his second relapse, George participated in a research protocol sponsored by the MMRF called the Molecular Profiling Initiative. He had his tumor genomically sequenced and then matched with the best available treatment for his type of myeloma. He achieved remission for nearly four years, before a final relapse in 2020.

George believed exercise helped combat the disease and mitigate the side effects of treatment. In his 70s, he still loved a good game of tennis or a day at the gym. Most of all, he always remained grateful for the life he had, his son Jason, and the ongoing efforts of the MMRF to advance precision medicine treatments for myeloma.