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Background
In February, 2003 the AQMD Board directed staff to
establish the Brain Tumor and Air Pollution Foundation to
implement an initiative by the Board Chairman to fund research into the
potential
connections between air pollution and brain cancer. The incidence of
brain cancer has been growing at an increasingly rapid rate. Recent
research suggests that there may be a link between air pollution and some
types of brain tumors.
The
mission of the Foundation is to support research studies on the association
between air pollution and brain tumors, as well as research for the
development of novel therapeutics for brain tumors. The Board
initially directed
that 10% of the penalty fees collected by the AQMD in FY 2002-03 --
approximately $723,000 -- be transferred to the Foundation to establish a
research program.
At its
February 2004 meeting, the AQMD Board awarded $1.5 million to the Foundation
to fund additional research, provided the Foundation expanded its purposes
to include funding for lung cancer research and treatment. Research
has indicated that a significant portion of the brain tumors may initially
occur in the lungs and migrate to the brain. In addition, the AQMD
conditioned its grant on the Foundation recovering royalties -- or other
payments from grantees -- from research funded by the foundation with monies
provided by the AQMD. These payments would be returned to the AQMD.
In March 2004, the Foundation amended its Articles of Incorporation to
change its name to Brain & Lung Tumor and Air Pollution Foundation
(Foundation) and to specify that its purpose is related to the effects of
air pollution on brain tumors and lung cancer. To carry out its
purpose, the Foundation has funded research projects investigating the links
between air pollution and brain and lung tumors. The amount of funding
provided to the Foundation to date is $3,722.568.
Directors and Officers
The Directors of the Foundation are:
- Michael Antonovich, Chairman
- Bill Campbell
- Dr. Thomas Godfrey
- Josie Gonzales
- Dennis Yates, Vice Chairman
The Officers of the Foundation are:
Barry Wallerstein, Chief Executive
Officer
Denise Whitcher, Secretary
Lisa Virgo, Treasurer
Summary of Foundation Activities
The Foundation activities are summarized in the annual reports presented
to the AQMD Board available at the links below.
The
Foundation has presented annual reports to the AQMD Governing Board as
follows:
Sixth Annual Report
(March 6, 2009)
Fifth Annual Report (March
7, 2008)
Fourth Annual Report (March
2, 2007)
Third Annual Report (March 3,
2006)
Second Annual Report (March 4, 2005)
First Annual Report (March 5, 2004)
Meeting Agendas and Minutes
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