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A Doctor Finds the Best Choice Close to Home
S. Ward Casscells, M. D., John Edward Tyson Distinguished Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and Public Health at The University of Texas Health Science Center
February 2007
When cancer strikes, a newly-diagnosed patient often wonders where to turn. Not so for S. Ward Casscells III, M.D., vice president for biotechnology at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Within walking distance of his office he had access to one of the foremost experts in the treatment of prostate cancer and a well-known researcher as well, in Christopher J. Logothetis, M. D., chair of the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Casscells remembers the day he first met with Dr. Logothetis: July 2, 2001. “He saw me at 9 p.m., and I knew right away I had a guy with integrity who would work that late.”
That same night Dr. Logothetis phoned in a prescription to get his treatment started. Today, more than five years later, his cancer is in remission or “asleep” as Casscells puts it, and his life is full with work and travel plans. Last year he spent eight months in Baghdad with the U.S. Army Reserves as Lt. Col. Casscells, health advisor to the U.S. ambassador to Iraq. While there, Casscells received the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
As he searched for the best way to express his gratitude, Casscells realized that a contribution to Dr. Logothethis’ prostate cancer research would be an investment not only in Dr. Logothetis’ groundbreaking work, but also in the lives of patients facing prostate cancer. He and his wife Roxanne presented the first $10,000 installment of a $50,000 gift to be paid over the next five years. With this pledge and an earlier $50,000 gift, their total contributions will come to $100,000 by 2010. He’s hoping to leverage that amount to draw matching gifts.
Casscells says, “I cannot express how fortunate I am to live and work so near M. D. Anderson, and how proud I am when I hear doctors all over the country say Dr. Logothetis is the best.”