LOS ANGELES, CA (MMD Newswire) April 8, 2009 -- Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association is proud to announce the first annual Blue Faery Award (BFA) for Excellence in Liver Cancer Research. Primary liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Blue Faery created the award to recognize medical professionals who develop innovative research in the fight against HCC, which currently has no cure.

The first recipient of the Blue Faery Award is Dr. Snorri S. Thorgiersson of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Maryland. He has been with NCI since 1976 and became Chief of the Laboratory of Experimental Carcinogenesis in 1981. Dr. Thorgiersson published 13 articles on HCC-related topics from 2007 - 2008. Dr. Thorgiersson's findings could help doctors tailor their treatments to specific types of HCC to more effectively fight the disease, which currently has a high mortality rate.

Andrea Wilson started Blue Faery in honor of her sister, Adrienne, who died of HCC only 145 days after her diagnosis at the age of 15. Blue Faery chose to announce the recipient of the award on April 8, 2009--Adrienne's birthday. She would have been 23 years old this year. Dr. Thorgiersson will receive $3,000 toward his research to commemorate his achievement. The non-profit organization's goal is to increase the award amount in subsequent years.

Founded in 2002, Blue Faery is the only nonprofit organization in the United States solely devoted to fighting HCC. The mission of Blue Faery is to prevent, treat and cure primary liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), through research, education and advocacy. Blue Faery has also developed an HCC patient education brochure for liver cancer patients, their families and their healthcare providers. The FREE brochure, which is also available in Chinese and in Spanish, is currently distributed in 25 treatment centers across the nation.

For more information, go to Blue Faery's Web site www.bluefaery.org and sign up for the Blue Faery quarterly e-newsletter. You can also call Andrea Wilson at 818-636-5624 or email her at andrea@bluefaery.org.

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