The Fanconi Anemia Research Fund honors the inspirational lives of two beloved former board members with the Amy (Frohnmayer) Winn and Christopher T. Byrd Award for Adults with Fanconi Anemia (FA), aged 17 or older.

Chris and Amy set high goals, devoted their time and energy to making a positive difference, and lived their lives enthusiastically in spite of the challenge of FA.

This $5,000 award is given annually to someone who, like Chris and Amy, is striving to make a difference and has set high goals for him/herself. Does this sound like you? Would this award help you reach your goals?

The award recipient will be announced at the Meeting for Adults with FA in September. The recipient is encouraged to accept the award in person at the meeting, and his/her travel expenses will be covered. If the recipient is not attending the meeting, s/he may be asked to “Skype” into the meeting for the announcement.

This award was created by the board of directors to honor Chris and Amy’s roles as leaders on the FARF board. The board felt it important to recognize that leadership by creating an award in their names that would encourage others to demonstrate leadership in their own way. The award committee is made up of Chris’ mother, Peggy McDaniel, Amy’s mother, Lynn Frohnmayer, Amy’s husband, Alex Winn, Chris’ sister, Courtney Swafford, last year’s recipient Angela Bedoya, as well as FARF board member, Rachel Altmann. The committee knows that different people will stretch themselves in different ways and will be looking at applications with this in mind, rather than a preconceived notion about what leadership looks like.

This award is not funded by taking money that would otherwise be directed to research and family support. It is funded by individual gifts from private donors.

To Apply:

• You may submit your application as a written essay or by video. Please include your name and date of birth (you must be at least 17 as of 7/12/19). Your application should address the following:
  
• Tell us how you are working to make a difference in your community.
  
• Tell us about your goals. Are they a stretch for you based on where you are now, not in comparison to someone else?
  
• Tell us how you demonstrate leadership in your own way.
  
• Describe how you would use the $5,000 award.
  

Applications were due July 12, 2019. Award recipient will be notified early August, and will be asked to attend the Adult FA Meeting in Chicago (September 18-21, 2019).

Submit your application via e-mail to FARF: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

2018 Recipient of the Winn/Byrd Award Announced

Congratulations to Angela Bedoya, a young researcher who developed an interest in science during her bone marrow transplant as a teenager. After completing her degree in biomedical engineering, Angela has just began a PhD program in microbiology, immunology, and cancer biology at the University of Minnesota. She hopes to be part of the transformative medical research in Minnesota and to provide hope for patients and families.

Past Award Recipients

2017: Matthew Pearl. Matt is a motivated and inspiring young leader who has embraced the challenges of FA and turned them into lessons to guide his life positively and meaningfully. On behalf of the FARF board and staff, congratulations, Matt! Watch Matt’s submission video here.