Committed To A Cure
Connelly & Voglzang, LLC is dedicated to furthering the research of mesothelioma through annual donations to several institutions with the same goal. Mesothelioma research often does not receive the funding it so desperately needs. The principle reasons for this is the relative rarity of the disease. The CV law firm is dedicated to bolstering the progress of fighting mesothelioma by providing the funding to physicians across the nation.
University of Chicago sees an incredibly high volume of mesothelioma patients every year from the Midwest; as well as patients from the entire nation and some from different parts of the globe. This is due in large part to the incredible work of Dr. Hedy Kindler. Dr. Kindler has used her personal commitment to fighting the disease to lead the mesothelioma program for many years and has made great strides in increasing survival for victims of mesothelioma.
Attorneys Connelly and Vogelzang have been heavily committed to supporting the University of Chicago’s mesothelioma program. This commitment first began in 2004 and will continue as long as the mesothelioma program remains in place. Donations have assisted in purchasing new equipment as well as providing funding for hospital staff.
International Mesothelioma Interest Group & Dr. Kindler
Dr. Kindler also heads up the International Mesothelioma Interest Group, IMIG, under the strong leadership of Dr. Kindler, gathers the world’s leading physicians and scientists in mesothelioma research together every two years. This mighty brain trust shares resources, ideas and individual progress to push global progress toward ending the disease.
Attorneys Connelly and Vogelzang have supported and attended the last two meetings. They both attended in Chicago in 2006, as well as the most recent 2008 conference in Amsterdam. Their attendance and support allow them to stay informed on the cutting edge of the science and medicine involved in mesothelioma. This in turn gives exclusive access to all clients who may need guidance in treatment of this disease.
Nevada Cancer Institute & Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang
The Nevada Cancer Institute first started seeing patients diagnosed with cancer in 2004 under the leadership of Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang. Dr. Vogelzang, father of attorney Vogelzang, saw his first mesothelioma patient in 1975. At that time he was an assistant professor and treating physician at University of Chicago. From that point he was determined to take on this difficult cancer and has committed a significant portion of his career to fighting this disease. In 2003 he gave up his position as director of the cancer center at University of Chicago to lead the Nevada Cancer Institute as its founding director. The NVCI was just starting and in desperate need of someone with the knowledge and experience Dr. Vogelzang could bring to a newly formed and blossoming cancer center.
Dr. Vogelzang has published over 100 articles on mesothelioma, edited a book and has spoken hundreds of times throughout the world to push toward the eradication of mesothelioma. He has brought that fight and determination with him to Nevada. Over the course of the last five consecutive years he has increased the number of mesothelioma patients cared for at NVCI every year. He has brought several clinical trials to NVCI and given mesothelioma patients a chance they might not have received before.
Connelly and Vogelzang have together attended the last two NVCI fundraisers and made a significant contribution in 2008 to the mesothelioma program.
Mesothelioma Applied Research Fund (MARF)
In 2000 a coalition of patients, families, doctors and other advocates was formed to create an independent source of funding for mesothelioma research. In addition to providing money for grants to fight mesothelioma, it has also grown to be an excellent resource for patients and their families. There are annual meetings where patients and loved ones can share stories and information in fighting the cancer. They also have an opportunity to meet with the nations top doctors on mesothelioma, including Dr. Kindler and Dr. Vogelzang, both founding board members.
MARF has now grown to the point that it has a mesothelioma nurse, Mary Hesdorffer. Mary is always available to help with small questions regarding symptoms as well as bigger issues such as which type of treatment to seek and from which oncologist.
Connelly and Vogelzang have supported MARF and their work for many years, both through attending conferences and providing financial support. Hopefully MARF will continue to grow, enabling it to fill the inequitable funding deficit for mesothelioma research.