The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation, formerly MARF) is a

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

funded by charitable donations that in turn funds

mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the mesothelium). The area most commonly affected is the lining of the lungs and chest wall. Less commonly the lini ...

research, provides support services to patients, educates the public, and advocates in

Washington, DC Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and Federal district of the United States, federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from ...

for governmental funding for mesothelioma research. The organization's mission is to eradicate mesothelioma, a

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

caused by exposure to

asbestos Asbestos ( ) is a group of naturally occurring, Toxicity, toxic, carcinogenic and fibrous silicate minerals. There are six types, all of which are composed of long and thin fibrous Crystal habit, crystals, each fibre (particulate with length su ...

, as a life-ending disease.

Of its donors, 65% are individuals personally affected by mesothelioma. The remaining 35% include pharmaceutical companies, labor unions, plaintiff and defendant attorneys, and companies that have manufactured asbestos products. To date, the foundation has funded over $11.5 million in

clinical research Clinical research is a branch of medical research that involves people and aims to determine the effectiveness (efficacy) and safety of medications, devices, diagnostic products, and treatment regimens intended for improving human health. The ...

and is the host of the annual ''International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma''. The organization was founded in 1999 and became tax-exempt in 2000. The organization's board of directors is composed by Marjorie G. Zauderer, MD, Westchester Medical Center, Chair; Jessica Blackford-Cleeton; Cheryl Bruner, Esq.; Keith Cengel, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania; Darciena Christel; Jason Foster, MD, University of Nebraska; R. Taylor Ripley, MD, Baylor University; Daniel Sterman, MD, New York University; James Stevenson, MD, Cleveland Clinic.

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* Mesothelioma Cancer organizations based in the United States 1999 establishments in the United States Organizations established in 1999 Medical and health organizations based in Virginia {{nonprofit-org-stub

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