Mark Rolfing applies golf wisdom to cancer
Hear Mark's testimonial at the Making Cancer History® Seminar in Atlanta.
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Appointment InformationSurvivor Mark Rolfing applies golf wisdom to cancer
Cancer survivor Mark Rolfing, a longtime NBC Sports/Golf Channel analyst, likens cancer treatment to a successful golf shot: "It's all about planning and execution."
As guest speaker at this year's Making Cancer History® Seminar in Atlanta, Rolfing reflected on the treatment he received at MD Anderson's Proton Therapy Center (PTC) under the direction of Steven Frank, M.D., professor, Radiation Oncology, and PTC medical director.
"The planning was perfect. The execution was impeccable," says Rolfing.
In August 2015, Rolfing, of Maui, Hawaii, faced a potentially career-ending diagnosis of stage IV salivary gland cancer. He took a leave of absence for surgery at the University of Chicago to remove the rare malignancy from his left cheek area, to be followed by proton therapy treatment at MD Anderson. By January 2016, he was back on the job at the PGA TOUR's Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Maui.
Frank's treatment plan specified 33 proton therapy procedures. Thanks to thorough planning upfront, only 31 were necessary.
After the treatment, recalls Rolfing, Frank's assistant said, "We'll see you in 10 weeks."
Rolfing and his wife, Debi, who had relocated from Maui to Houston for two months for the treatments, headed home, returning to MD Anderson in January for new scans. They were incredulous to receive the best news: NED (no evidence of disease).
"It didn't seem possible. We went back in April, and again, NED. Three weeks ago, NED. That couldn't have happened anywhere else but at MD Anderson," he says.
MAKING CANCER HISTORY® IN ATLANTA
Approximately 100 supporters and cancer survivors attended MD Anderson's second annual Making Cancer History® Seminar in Atlanta, Sept. 21 in Buckhead. Among the guests were MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors members Walter Driver and Rabbi Alvin Sugarman and Advance Team member Kasey Asarch. On hand to discuss recent treatment, research, prevention and education strategies advanced by the Moon Shots Program™:
Steven Frank, M.D., professor, Radiation Oncology; medical director, MD Anderson's Proton Therapy Center
Joxel Garcia, M.D., executive director, cancer prevention and control platform; Moon Shots Program's™ leadership team member
Jeffrey Gershenwald, M.D., professor, Surgical Oncology and Cancer Biology; medical director, Melanoma and Skin Center; co-leader, Melanoma Moon Shot
William Wierda, M.D., Ph.D., professor, Leukemia; co-leader, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Moon Shot