Our Mission and History
The Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation (HCLF) is the only nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL). The HCLF seeks to improve patient outcomes by funding research and providing patients access to educational resources and peer-to-peer support.
In 1985, a group of HCL patients in Illinois formed a support group and established it as a 501c3 nonprofit called the Hairy Cell Leukemia Research Foundation. Twenty years later, a second group of patients wanted to explore strategies to advance HCL research further. They convened leading hematologists and HCL experts worldwide and formed the Hairy Cell Leukemia Research Consortium, emphasizing scientific research. These two groups joined forces, bringing together the core competencies of each organization. Today, the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation is well-positioned to continue moving the needle in research and discovery and positively impact patients.
HCLF board members are HCL survivors and advocates and HCLF programs are designed and implemented with patient input. An advisory board composed of hematologists from among the best cancer centers in the world continues to provide clinical expertise for our patient education programs and research initiatives.
Our Leadership
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2026 Board of Directors
Adi Weber, President
Dr. Michael Margolin, Vice President
Bobby Patrick, Vice President
Scott Svoboda, Secretary
Kenneth Jensen, Treasurer
Keith Markbreiter, Immediate Past President
Brian P. Friedman, Member At Large
Sarah Naperala
Marc Stadtmauer
Kurt Tenenbaum
Dr. Kirk Zachary
Tim Maher (Emeritus)
Earl J. Stone (Emeritus)
Executive Director
Anna T. Lambertson
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Board Committees
Finance
Ken Jensen, Chair
Governance
Dr. Michael Margolin, Chair
Research and Grants
Dr. Michael Margolin, Chair
Dr. Kirk Zachary
Ken Jensen
Patient Services and Women’s Group
Sarah Naperala, Chair
Marketing and Communications
Bobby Patrick, Chair
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Committee Chair
Dr. Michael Grever - The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-The James
Committee Members
Dr. James Johnston - Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology
Dr. Robert J. Kreitman - National Cancer Institute, NIH
Dr. Tamar Tadmor - Bnai-Zion Medical Center
Dr. Martin Tallman - Chicago, IL
Dr. Enrico Tiacci - University and Hospital of Perugia
Dr. Bernhard Wörmann - The Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Dr. Clive Zent - James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center
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We launched the Patient Advisory Committee in 2025 to provide insights to the HCLF Board of Directors and Staff and strengthen our research and educational programs further.
2025/2026 Committee Members
Rose Asta
Brent Chandler
Eric Emmer
Mark Fielder
Ciro Franco
Bill Heilbronner
Juan Mendez
David Naimon
Rosie Read
Ralph Rio
Ainhoa Robles
Knut Seifert
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Executive Director
Anna Lambertson
Director of Engagement & Insights
Carlos Guerrero
Communications Specialist
Chris Nelson
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HCLF staff work collaboratively from remote offices in the US.
Mail should be addressed to:
Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation
77 Van Ness Ave Ste 101 #1617
San Francisco, CA 94102
Office Phone: 224.355.7201
General Email: info@hairycellleukemia.org