About Us
Our Mission
The Foundation is dedicated to advancing research in canine cancer immunotherapy. Our goal is to fund innovative studies that explore how a dog’s immune system can be harnessed to combat cancer more effectively. By supporting rigorous scientific research, we aim to improve treatment options, enhance quality of life, and ultimately extend the lives of dogs affected by cancer.
Board of Directors
The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, composed of experts in immunotherapy research and cancer treatment. Our board members bring extensive experience and a shared commitment to advancing canine cancer care.
Hans Klingemann MD, PhD, FCACB
Hans is an Oncologist who directed Cancer Departments in Germany, RUSH University/Chicago and TUFTS Medical Center/Boston. While at the University of British Columbia, he established the Natural Killer Cell line NK-92, now used worldwide in cancer research and treatment. NK-92 became the core technology for ZelleRx Inc. which he co-founded in 2002 and which went public in 2014. NK-92 cells and its engineered variants are currently further developed by ImmunityBio Inc. for which he served as its CSO. Hans has published over 200 research and clinical papers with a strong focus on cancer Immunotherapy. His major interest now is on supporting the development of novel and effective immunotherapies for dogs.
Sandra Lee Sc.D.
Sandra is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Data Science at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Sandra received her doctoral degree from Harvard University. She currently is a leading biostatistician who designs and analyzes clinical studies developed through the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ECOG-ACRIN). She also conducts comparative effectiveness research in early detection of cancer in collaboration with investigators for the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET).
Rebecca Hull MBA
Becky is a Yale University and Columbia Business School graduate with over 25 years of experience in marketing and business management at large financial service companies. After leaving the corporate world, Becky co-founded B.I.G. (Believe, Inspire, Grow), a women’s empowerment organization where she served as president and COO. She is the founder and managing director of Essays that Shine, an independent educational consulting company, helping students navigate their college journey. Becky has served on various boards, including Team Campbell Foundation, a pediatric cancer foundation.
Highlighted Research
Cancer remains the leading cause of death in dogs, tragically affecting nearly half of all dogs over the age of ten. Older dogs often don’t tolerate traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation as well as younger dogs. In many cases, the benefit of these aggressive approaches amounts to only a few extra weeks or months of life, often at the cost of significantly diminished quality of life.
These harsher treatments can also compromise a dog’s immune system, a critical factor in fighting cancer and preventing its spread. Our foundation supports innovative research focused on empowering a dog’s own immune system to combat cancer. We believe that strengthening and supporting cancer-fighting immune cells is key to both extending life and maintaining quality of life.
To achieve this, the Foundation provides grant funding to academic researchers dedicated to developing novel immune-based cancer therapies. We also support research that rigorously tests the efficacy of existing treatments, seeking to identify and promote the most promising approaches.