Foundation honors contributions of Raymond E. Chalmé and Dr. Joan H. Schiller
NEW YORK, NY (April 22, 2025) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) is pleased to announce Raymond E. Chalmé as its honoree for the 4th annual Evening of Innovation gala, Joan H. Schiller, MD as the recipient of the Founders Award, and AstraZeneca as the evening’s Corporate Honoree. The gala will be held on September 17, 2025, at Cipriani 25 Broadway in Manhattan. Members of LCRF’s Board of Directors and Gala Committee are committed to showcasing LCRF’s impact through recognition of an individual whose support of the organization and the field of lung cancer research is unparalleled, and someone who exemplifies the spirit of LCRF to improve patient outcomes through research.
Raymond E. Chalmé, a long-time member of LCRF’s board of directors, has had an enormous impact on lung cancer research, the research community, and countless people affected by lung cancer for nearly two decades. He and his family founded Elliot’s Legacy Kites for a Cure, an event that raises significant funds for research and is named for his late father, Elliot Chalmé A’H, who passed away from lung cancer at the age of 56. The support and commitment shown by the Chalmé family has been transformative, fueling critical advances in lung cancer research. In 18 years, this family-centered event has raised more than $8 million, which in turn fuels another nearly $50 million in follow-on research funding.
“Ray’s commitment to lung cancer research is immeasurable,” remarked Aubrey Rhodes, Executive Director of LCRF. “He has inspired so many to share in the vision of one day curing lung cancer through research. It is only fitting that we honor him, and the life-changing impact of the support he and his family have given this community.”
“Being honored at this event means the world to me,” said Mr. Chalmé. “It’s amazing to see how far lung cancer research has come since we lost our dad. Knowing that we’ve played a role in helping people live longer and pushing research forward is incredibly rewarding. When we started Elliot’s Legacy, there was no surviving lung cancer. Now, survival rates are up, and some of my fellow LCRF board members are living proof of that. That’s all because of research. But there’s still so much more to do, and my family and I are dedicated to keeping this fight going. I’m truly honored to be part of LCRF’s mission.”
The foundation will also bestow its Founders Award at the Evening of Innovation gala on Joan H. Schiller, MD, in recognition of her lifetime contributions to the field of lung cancer research and her dedication to her patients and their families. As founder and president of Free to Breathe, Dr. Schiller instigated a movement of support for lung cancer research – the first such organization to represent the needs of lung cancer patients. She is widely published and internationally recognized for her work in lung cancer clinical research and has served as a member of the LCRF Board of Directors and its legacy organizations for more than two decades. In addition to her service as a board member for LCRF, she serves in an advisory capacity to LCRF’s Education and Engagement Committee. Currently, Dr. Schiller chairs Oncology Advocates United for Health – International (OUCH-I), an organization she founded to focus on the intersection of climate change and lung health, lung cancer treatment, and overall outcomes.
Mary Ann Tighe, LCRF Board Member, founder of LCRF’s legacy organization Joan’s Legacy, and CEO of NY Tri-State Region at CBRE, shares her admiration: “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Ray Chalmé for many years as a fellow board member and passionate advocate for lung cancer research. His unwavering commitment to advancing this cause is undeniable, making him truly deserving to be honored at the Evening of Innovation gala. Joan Schiller also holds a special place in our community. She was a trailblazer in recognizing the need for organized, private funding for lung cancer research, and her own research and clinical work reflects her deep dedication to improving patients’ lives. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping LCRF’s top-tier research program. She is more than deserving of this Founders Award.”
“I am truly honored to receive the Founders Award,” says Dr. Schiller. “Placing patients first has always been part of who I am, both as a clinician and a researcher. Bringing Free to Breathe together with LCRF and serving with my wonderful colleagues on the board, as well as the staff of LCRF, to advance lung cancer research has been a great privilege.”
Nabil Chebab, US Medical Franchise Head, Lung Cancer, AstraZeneca, said: “AstraZeneca is proud to receive the Corporate Honoree recognition from LCRF. We’re honored to stand alongside tireless heroes of lung cancer research and advocacy, like Ray Chalmé and Dr. Schiller, who embody the very best in the oncology community. We believe that our combined efforts – in research, advocacy and industry – will help patients facing lung cancer to live longer and live better. Every scientific discovery represents a critical step for the patients we serve, as we work to eliminate lung cancer as a cause of death.”
The 2025 Evening of Innovation gala is scheduled to take place at 6 pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City. Attendees will hear from the many people whose lives were influenced by the generosity and vision of Raymond E. Chalmé and his family, and the care and forward-thinking of Dr. Joan Schiller, and provide attendees with opportunities to make their own impact on lung cancer research. More details can be found at LCRF.org/gala.
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About the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF)
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation® (LCRF) is the leading nonprofit organization focused on funding innovative, high-reward research with the potential to extend survival and improve quality of life for people with lung cancer. LCRF’s mission is to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer. To date, LCRF has funded 429 research grants, totaling nearly $48 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information, visit LCRF.org.
Contact:
Sheila Sullivan, Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
ssullivan@LCRF.org