The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, an international organization dedicated to finding effective cures and preventing cancer, has named Gwen Darien as Executive Director. Darien, a 17-year cancer survivor, was editor-in-chief of CR—a magazine serving the cancer survivorship community—and director of the Survivor and Patient Advocacy Program at the American Association for Cancer Research, where she worked to promote partnerships among the cancer survivor, patient advocacy and scientific communities.

“Gwen brings a wealth of expertise and unique skill set to the Foundation,” stated Michael Nierenberg, the Chairman of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Gwen’s background as a patient advocate, knowledge of cancer research and relationships with members of the scientific community will help further our mission to cure and prevent cancer.”

“More than ever before, scientists are developing promising strategies to reprogram cancer cells. For decades, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has been a leader in finding cures with minimal toxicity for patients,” said Samuel Waxman, M.D., the Foundation’s Scientific Director. “I am thrilled that Gwen is part of the Foundation. I know that under her leadership, the Foundation will continue its important work of supporting innovative cancer research.”

Darien is chair of the NCI Director’s Consumer Liaison Group and is a member of the Health and Human Services’ Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society. She serves on the program committee of the Accelerating Anti-Cancer Agent Development and Validation Workshop. Darien also serves on the advisory board of the Health Advocacy Program at Sarah Lawrence College and is an external adviser to the Breast Cancer SPORE at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“I am honored to serve as the Executive Director of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation and am deeply committed to research that will bring real benefit to patients,” said Darien. “I look forward to working with the Foundation’s Board and stakeholders to develop partnerships, strategic alliances and collaborations across all segments of the cancer community to help fulfill the Foundation’s incredible potential and sustain its critical mission.”