The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) has announced a $10 million gift from the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation in support of myeloma drug discovery and development projects.

To be made over two years, the gift will establish the Riney Family Foundation Myeloma Center for Advanced Research Excellence (Myeloma CARE), a collaborative effort of the OSUCCC – James Drug Development Institute (DDI) and the Division of Hematology at Ohio State. Among its activities, the center will work to accelerate drug discovery and explore new treatments for myeloma using specific molecular targets. Projects to be funded by the gift include the creation of a multi-institutional database for categorizing patient samples and correlating de-identified health data for future studies aimed at better understanding and treating multiple myeloma.

"By creating a collaborative research database to house patient samples from our institution and from those of our collaborators, we can all make more meaningful discoveries that reach the bedside faster," said DDI director Jeff Patrick. "People with myeloma don't have time to wait — the future is bright, but there is still much work to do. We are so grateful to the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation for believing in and supporting our mission."

"As a five-year survivor, my family and I personally understand and are passionate about investing in this scientific research that is absolutely critical for finding less toxic, more effective treatments for people facing this disease," said Rodger Riney. "We are honored we have the ability to invest in hope through multiple myeloma research at the OSUCCC – James."