The International Myeloma Foundation Appoints Heather Cooper Ortner Vice President of Development

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) - conducting research and providing education, advocacy, and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers, and physicians - today announced the appointment of Heather Cooper Ortner as vice president of development. Heather comes to the IMF from the Brandeis-Bardin Institute where she was director of development for the past three years. Her appointment is effective immediately.The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest myeloma organization, reaching more than 135,000 members in 113 countries worldwide.

North Hollywood, CA (PRWeb) March 23, 2007 -- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) - conducting research and providing education, advocacy, and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers, and physicians - today announced the appointment of Heather Cooper Ortner as vice president of development. Heather comes to the IMF from the Brandeis-Bardin Institute where she was director of development for the past three years. Her appointment is effective immediately.

"We are so pleased to welcome Heather to the IMF, not only for her experience, but for the innovation she has shown creating programs and opportunities in her previous positions," said Susie Novis, president and co-founder of the IMF. "In her new position, Heather will manage the relationship the IMF has with our generous and dedicated supporters. We can think of no one more capable and caring than Heather to conduct and manage the outreach that provides the backbone of our support."

Heather brings 15 years of professional experience to the IMF beginning in marketing and moving to development ten years ago when she began working at AIPAC, The American Israel Public Affairs Committee. From there she went to the Venice Family Clinic, the largest free clinic in the nation, and subsequently became director of the Western Area Development Center of Hadassah, where she directed major gift activities in 16 western states. In her most recent position at Brandeis-Bardin, she created a major gifts program and increased proceeds from an annual event by more than 60%.

"The IMF is the premier organization dedicated to myeloma patient advocacy and support, and here I am privileged to work with some of the most dedicated people I have ever met," said Heather. "Everyone here is committed to improving the lives of patients with myeloma, and I am proud to be a part of such an important organization."

Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a that affects production of red cells, white cells and stem cells. It is one of the most prevalent of the blood cancers, which together are the third largest group of cancers. Myeloma affects an estimated 750,000 people worldwide, and it is being diagnosed in growing numbers that include increasingly younger people.

About International Myeloma Foundation:
The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest myeloma organization, reaching more than 135,000 members in 113 countries worldwide. A 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients and their families, the IMF focuses in four key areas: research, education, support and advocacy. To date, the IMF has conducted more than 100 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned hotline, and operates Bank on a Cure®, a unique gene bank to advance myeloma research. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE or www.myeloma.org.

Press Contact: Stephen Gendel
Company Name: : GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 212-918-4650
Website: www.myeloma.org.

Press Release Source: EMediaWire