Bridge funding supports researchers amid COVID-19

Fall 2015
Promise is published four times a year by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and is dedicated to our friends who have joined us in Making Cancer History®.

Since 1990, MD Anderson's Holiday Giving Program has brought smiles to
countless families through seasonal cards that have generated more than
$5.78 million. The annual program has provided funding for more than 200
patient assistance, community outreach, education and prevention
programs that are truly Making Cancer History®.
In 2001, Marnie Rose, M.D., a first-year pediatric resident at
Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, was diagnosed with a rare form of
brain cancer. Despite a courageous fight throughout treatment at
MD Anderson, she died the following year. Since 2003, the Dr. Marnie
Rose Foundation and its annual Run for the Rose 5K have honored Marnie's
memory, raising $4.75 million for brain cancer research and drug
development at MD Anderson as well as pediatric health initiatives at
Children's Memorial Hermann. Following her own recent diagnosis of
breast cancer, Lanie Rose, Marnie's mother, reflects on MD Anderson, the
Glioblastoma Moon Shot and her daughter's legacy.
After a rigorous scientific review, MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program is
zeroing in on six additional areas of focus: b-cell lymphomas,
colorectal cancer, glioblastoma, high-risk multiple myeloma, human
papillomavirus-related cancers and pancreatic cancer.
John Tucker of Anderson, S.C. was 15 when he first came to MD Anderson
in 1965. At that time, the institution had been in operation for 21
years, and teenage John could barely comprehend his diagnosis.
Mel Klein has been a member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of
Visitors for 25 years and is currently serving his second year as chair.
An investment banker, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, attorney and
philanthropist, he is the founder of Melvyn N. Klein Interests and a
respected community leader in Corpus Christi, Texas, with business
interests in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities in the U.S.
and internationally. From 1980 to 2005, he wrote the guest column
"Feedback" for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, later compiled
in the book "Our Time," proceeds of which benefit MD Anderson.
In 1996, he was named to the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished
Americans. Klein and his wife, Annette, are members of the Anderson
Assembly, an organization honoring donors who've made lifetime
commitments of $1 million or more to MD Anderson. They have two
daughters, Jacqueline and Jenna.
Cancer survivor Estela Avery is a San Antonio native, a former nurse, an
avid fundraiser and executive director of the San Antonio River
Foundation. She supports MD Anderson's orbital oncology/ophthalmic
plastic surgery program in recognition of Bita Esmaeli, M.D., professor,
Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery. Here, she reflects on her cancer experience
and the importance of giving.
Rosemary Herron is a 14-year breast cancer survivor and longtime Pink
Ribbon Volunteer at MD Anderson's Nellie B. Connally Breast Center. She
also volunteers at MD Anderson in Sugar Land. In 2012, she received the
Painter Award for outstanding contributions to the Anderson Network
support group, now known as myCancerConnection. Though her breast cancer
returned two months later, she continued volunteering throughout
treatment. Rosemary and her husband Don, recently contributed $25,000 to
support a HER2 vaccine research program, Injecting Hope. The program is
led by Elizabeth Mittendorf, M.D., associate professor, Breast Surgical Oncology.
Last May, Jerry Vilmont's Iowa City, Iowa doctors diagnosed him with
stage IV bladder cancer and gave him less than six months to live.
Thoughtful investigation and steady perseverance are the approaches MD
Anderson's specialists use to unlock answers to cancer's mysteries.
They're also the tactics behind Colin Chopin's history as a 30-year
Annual Fund supporter.
Michelle Barton receives 2015 Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence
in Education.
Catherine and Ben Ivy were married only five years before cancer
uprooted their entire world.
When Jeff Reid found out his brother, Matt, had been diagnosed with
appendiceal cancer, his initial thought was, "Why not just remove
the appendix?" He learned it's not that simple.
Inaugural impact luncheon honors Tom Buchholz, M.D.
The protein CSN6 has been correlated with poor survival among patients
with colorectal cancer, according to an MD Anderson study published in
the medical journal Cancer Cell.
For the first time, an immune checkpoint inhibitor has been proven to
increase survival among patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma
(RCC), for whom treatment options are limited.
Jim Allison, Ph.D., chair of Immunology at MD Anderson, has received the
nation's highest honor for clinical medical research, the Lasker-DeBakey
Clinical Medical Research Award.
Ronald DePinho, M.D. has been named to Modern Healthcare's 2015 list of
Top 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.
Patients who receive a shorter course of whole breast radiation therapy
for early-stage disease experience less toxicity and improved quality of
life compared with those who undergo longer treatment, MD Anderson
researchers report in JAMA Oncology.
Five globetrotting, sun-blocking superheroes use their superpowers -
shade, clothing, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses - to teach preschoolers
about lifelong sun safety.
As inaugural executive director of the Moon Shots Program's cancer
prevention and control platform, Joxel Garcia, M.D., leads efforts to
reduce the cancer burden, especially in the under served population.
Previous Issues
View archives

Winter 2021
Companies support Blood Bank during COVID-19

Fall 2020
12-year-old osteosarcoma patient supports cancer research, spreads hope

Summer 2020
Saluting the heroes of COVID-19

Spring 2020
Rogers Award honors MD Anderson nursing assistant

Fall 2019
Fun for all at Camp H-Town

Summer 2019
MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital holds Prom Party Palooza

Spring 2019
Sarah Jessica Parker shoe sale benefits prostate cancer research

Winter 2019
MD Anderson, Houston Dynamo team up to end cancer

Fall 2018
Newsmakers: Jim Allison wins Nobel Prize

Summer 2018
MD Anderson's happy campers

Spring 2018
On course with the PGA TOUR

Winter 2018
MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program turns 5

Fall 2017
Planned Giving

Summer 2017
MD Anderson Cancer Center names 2017 Sabin Family Fellows

Spring 2017
Cancer prevention efforts in full swing

Winter 2017
e-Philanthropy program raises support for patients with just a few clicks

Fall 2016
MD Anderson Cancer Center’s 75th Anniversary Celebration

Summer 2016
A win-win-win situation

Spring 2016
Until 20

Winter 2016
Global ambassadors with a collective goal

Summer 2015
PUTTing an end to cancer

Spring 2015
A good day in cancer land

Winter 2015
Stripes aligns with MD Anderson

Fall 2014
EndTobacco

Summer 2014
Fueled by philanthropy

Spring 2014
The power of giving

Winter 2014
Washington, D.C. event honors James A. Baker, III

Fall 2013
Pedaling for a cure

Summer 2013
Lyda Hill commits $50 million to Moon Shots Program

Spring 2013
A bright future for philanthropy

Fall 2012
The time is now

Summer 2012
A leap into the future with telemedicine

Spring 2012
An infinite desire to help

Fall 2011
Data Deluge

Summer 2011
Taking a bite out of cancer: Crave Cupcakes partners with Arts in
Medicine program

Spring 2011
A Global Force Against Cancer: MD Anderson Once Again Ranked No. 1

Fall 2010
Measuring Value

Summer 2010
Among Friends: Lanie Rose

Spring 2010
Making Cancer History®:

Fall 2009
Practicing the Art of the Possible

Summer 2009
Polo on the Prairie Brings World-Class Polo to West Texas

Spring 2009
The BATTLE Toward Personalized Lung Cancer Therapy