Press Releases - 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CANCER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE® HONORS EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG TALENT AS CERI TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR IN HISTORIC FIRST
February 3, 2025
CANCER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE® HONORS EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG TALENT AS CERI TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR IN HISTORIC FIRST
February 3, 2025
CAMBRIDGE, MA - February 3, 2025 - Cancer Education and Research Institute® proudly announces Lara-Rüya Şimşek, an outstanding 13-year-old participant in its CERI Youth Program, as its CERI Team Member of the Year 2024. This marks the first time in the organization's 12-year history that a youth program team member has earned this prestigious award, underscoring the exceptional nature of Lara-Rüya's contributions to the cancer community and the program's success.
Lara-Rüya Şimşek receives the CERI Team Member of the Year Award 2024.
Lara-Rüya, the longest-serving participant in the CERI Youth Program's history, has demonstrated unwavering commitment despite the challenges of entering high school. Her dedication to continuing her projects and attending team meetings, throughout the year, showcases her immense willingness to learn, grow as a cancer scientist, and contribute to cancer patients, their families, and the public.
Selected from a diverse pool of volunteers of all ages, Lara-Rüya's achievements in just 1.5 years with Cancer Education and Research Institute® include:
"Lara-Rüya's selection as CERI Team Member of the Year was based on the merit of her work, as well as her comradery, strength, perseverance, dedication, discipline, her willingness to learn and grow to make a contribution to the cancer community and a great impact in people effected with cancer" said Dr. Aygün Sahin, CEO, founder, and cancer lead of Cancer Education and Research Institute®. "That a youth program member has won this award for the first time in our 12-year history shows that age is no barrier to making significant contributions in our efforts for a cancer-free future. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of our CERI Youth Program in developing next generation of outstanding cancer scientists."
Lara-Rüya receives rigorous direct mentorship from Dr. Sahin, a cancer scientist with 25 years of experience in the field.
"Lara-Rüya's growth under my direct mentorship exemplifies our CERI Youth Program's mission," said Dr. Sahin. "We're not just educating; we're shaping the future leaders in cancer science. Lara-Rüya's ability to produce work that rivals that of seasoned professionals, while balancing the demands of school, speaks volumes about her dedication and our program's effectiveness."
The CERI Youth Program at Cancer Education and Research Institute® stands out for its dual purpose:
"Our CERI Youth Program is unique in its approach," Dr. Sahin added. "We're not just teaching facts; we're instilling research methodologies, critical thinking, scientific ethics, and scientific writing skills that are crucial for future breakthroughs in cancer research. Lara-Rüya's achievement and long-term commitment show that this approach is yielding remarkable results."
Lara-Rüya's work has substantially enhanced the CERI Cancer Education Program, improving the organization's capacity to provide accessible, multi-language cancer education globally.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® encourages individuals of all ages inspired by Lara-Rüya's dedication to explore volunteer opportunities. The first of two annual recruitment cycles has begun and will end on February 21st at 5:00 pm EST. For more information, visit canceredinstitute.org/volunteer.
For more information, please contact Ayguen Sahin, MSc, PhD here.
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Selected from a diverse pool of volunteers of all ages, Lara-Rüya's achievements in just 1.5 years with Cancer Education and Research Institute® include:
- Authoring comprehensive e-books on Leukemia, Lymphoma, Pancreatic Cancer, and Lung Cancer
- Hand-drawing scientific illustrations and creating several infographics
- Currently developing an e-book on Brain Cancer
"Lara-Rüya's selection as CERI Team Member of the Year was based on the merit of her work, as well as her comradery, strength, perseverance, dedication, discipline, her willingness to learn and grow to make a contribution to the cancer community and a great impact in people effected with cancer" said Dr. Aygün Sahin, CEO, founder, and cancer lead of Cancer Education and Research Institute®. "That a youth program member has won this award for the first time in our 12-year history shows that age is no barrier to making significant contributions in our efforts for a cancer-free future. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of our CERI Youth Program in developing next generation of outstanding cancer scientists."
Lara-Rüya receives rigorous direct mentorship from Dr. Sahin, a cancer scientist with 25 years of experience in the field.
"Lara-Rüya's growth under my direct mentorship exemplifies our CERI Youth Program's mission," said Dr. Sahin. "We're not just educating; we're shaping the future leaders in cancer science. Lara-Rüya's ability to produce work that rivals that of seasoned professionals, while balancing the demands of school, speaks volumes about her dedication and our program's effectiveness."
The CERI Youth Program at Cancer Education and Research Institute® stands out for its dual purpose:
- Providing comprehensive cancer education for children and youth in schools and communities worldwide
- Rigorously training selected young students to become the next generation of cancer scientists
"Our CERI Youth Program is unique in its approach," Dr. Sahin added. "We're not just teaching facts; we're instilling research methodologies, critical thinking, scientific ethics, and scientific writing skills that are crucial for future breakthroughs in cancer research. Lara-Rüya's achievement and long-term commitment show that this approach is yielding remarkable results."
Lara-Rüya's work has substantially enhanced the CERI Cancer Education Program, improving the organization's capacity to provide accessible, multi-language cancer education globally.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® encourages individuals of all ages inspired by Lara-Rüya's dedication to explore volunteer opportunities. The first of two annual recruitment cycles has begun and will end on February 21st at 5:00 pm EST. For more information, visit canceredinstitute.org/volunteer.
For more information, please contact Ayguen Sahin, MSc, PhD here.
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About CERI Personalized Patient Program™:
Through the CERI Personalized Patient Program™ (canceredinstitute.org/patient-program), Cancer Education and Research Institute® acts as a liaison between cancer patients and medical professionals. It bridges the gap between cancer specialists and cancer patients, and provides patients and their families personalized, simplified education in local language about the cancer type being dealt with, including targeted treatment and latest research. It further identifies, and guides patients toward clinical trials and top specialists in their disease. This allows timely and efficient treatment.
About Cancer Education and Research Institute®:
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (canceredinstitute.org), is an award-winning, independent, Boston-based, 501(c)(3) global non-profit organization. Its mission is to 1) make cancer and cancer research understandable for everyone; 2) bridge the gap between cancer professionals and cancer patients; 3) provide cancer research scholarships for promising high school students worldwide, career guidance, and mentorship; and 4) conduct in-house innovative cancer research and directly translate it to the public. Cancer Education and Research Institute® is the United Nations, UNIATF Award 2019 recipient.
Through the CERI Personalized Patient Program™ (canceredinstitute.org/patient-program), Cancer Education and Research Institute® acts as a liaison between cancer patients and medical professionals. It bridges the gap between cancer specialists and cancer patients, and provides patients and their families personalized, simplified education in local language about the cancer type being dealt with, including targeted treatment and latest research. It further identifies, and guides patients toward clinical trials and top specialists in their disease. This allows timely and efficient treatment.
About Cancer Education and Research Institute®:
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (canceredinstitute.org), is an award-winning, independent, Boston-based, 501(c)(3) global non-profit organization. Its mission is to 1) make cancer and cancer research understandable for everyone; 2) bridge the gap between cancer professionals and cancer patients; 3) provide cancer research scholarships for promising high school students worldwide, career guidance, and mentorship; and 4) conduct in-house innovative cancer research and directly translate it to the public. Cancer Education and Research Institute® is the United Nations, UNIATF Award 2019 recipient.
Media Inquiries
Reporters may contact
Ayguen Sahin, M.Sc., Ph.D.
CEO, Founder, and Cancer Lead
Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI)
for more information, or to schedule interviews.
Contact
Reporters may contact
Ayguen Sahin, M.Sc., Ph.D.
CEO, Founder, and Cancer Lead
Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI)
for more information, or to schedule interviews.
Contact
#cancer #health #cancertreatment #cancerpatient #cancerprevention #cancereducation
Media Resources
CERI Media Kit - 2025
Download the CERI Media Kit 2025
| ceri_media_kit_2025.pdf |
CERI Media Kit 2022
| ceri_media_kit.pdf |
Annual Reports and Media Kit (2013-2018)
Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI)®'s Annual Reports and Media Kit include our 5-year (2013-2018) progress and achievements, fact sheets and demographics, information about our programs, and sponsorship opportunities.
To read our Annual Reports and Media Kit click here.
To read our Annual Reports and Media Kit click here.
