About The Galen Foundation

The Galen Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded by David Emerson, a cancer survivor from Cleveland, Ohio. The Galen Foundation runs and funds beating-myeloma.org

We believe that empowering individuals who battle cancer to direct and manage their health care will result in improved outcomes. Often individuals contend with a system that does not facilitate the self management of disease. The Galen Foundation provides people with the experience based tools, information, and social network they need to become informed and powerful health managers.

We believe that individuals who take control and manage their health live longer, better lives. A diagnosis of any serious condition is overwhelming and frightening. There are medical terms we don't understand, and treatments we have never heard of. Physicians give us invaluable advice and are the first line of defense against illness, but the many possible decisions surrounding a diagnosis ultimately rest with the individual.

We believe that learning from the experiences of others helps people live longer, better lives. Networking is a human instinct. When we need advice, we ask someone with experience. The information we provide is experience-based. We are a network, not a text book.

We believe that awareness of a full spectrum of approaches to confronting disease will help people live longer, better lives. We welcome open discussion about any disease fighting strategy because we believe everyone has a right to make their own decisions about their health. We do not sell or benefit from the sale of any treatment. We strive to offer an independent voice.

We believe that the profit motive can be detrimental to successful disease management. Galen, the ancient Greek physician after whom our organization is named, believed that the profit motive is incompatible with true healing. Unlike many other organizations devoted to health the Galen Foundation is not funded by pharmaceutical corporations.

The Galen Foundation was founded by David Emerson, a cancer survivor from Cleveland, Ohio. In 1994 David was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the bone marrow. After surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and a peripheral blood stem cell transplant, the myeloma returned. David's oncologist told him that nothing more could be done. That was in September of 1997.

Confused and angered by the limitations of conventional oncology, David defied statistical odds by finding and using other therapies to survive. He sought out the Burzynski Clinic in Houston, Texas where he underwent antineoplaston therapy. Seventeen months later his lesions disappeared and since April of 1999 David has been cancer free.

David learned from his experience and although he knows that the specific therapy he chose will not work for everyone, he believes strongly that people facing cancer have a right to information about a full spectrum of approaches to confronting illness. The information about multiple myeloma David found on the internet helped to save his life, and he is passionate about helping others succeed in their battles against cancer of all kinds.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Galen Foundation is to empower individuals who battle cancer to manage their health and live longer, better lives.

The mission of beating-myeloma.org is to empower everyone who battles multiple myeloma to manage the disease and live longer, better lives.

The founders of the Galen Foundation believe that educating individuals about the full spectrum of therapies, the principles of personal responsibility and the concepts of the mind/body connection will result in a higher quality of life for those persons touched by cancer.

The Galen Foundation seeks to pursue this mission through the use of the most ethical and efficacious practices at all times.