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.
Fall 2015 : Every handprint tells a story
Every handprint tells a story
Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Patrick Zweidler-McKay, M.D., Ph.D., section chief, Pediatric Leukemia
and Lymphoma, received a $250,000 research grant from Hyundai Hope on
Wheels in September. From left: Patrick Zweidler-McKay, M.D., Ph.D., and
Marisa Hornbaker, graduate research assistant.
Patients from MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital, MD Anderson President Ronald DePinho, M.D., and Hyundai representatives participated in a handprint ceremony celebrating Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a nonprofit made up of more than 820 Hyundai dealers across the country, raises awareness of childhood cancer and donates funds to support research.
Pictured with Zweidler-McKay is Marisa Hornbaker, graduate research assistant, UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Pediatrics-Research
More Stories From Promise

Moon Shots Program expands reach
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.

25 years of cheer
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®.

Cancer-free for 50 years
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.

Getting to know Mel Klein
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.

iPromise
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.

Survivors Say
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.

A journey down the right path
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.

Long-term loyalty
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.

Rogers Award honors esteemed educator
Michelle Barton receives 2015 Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence
in Education.

Seeking a cure
Catherine and Ben Ivy were married only five years before cancer
uprooted their entire world.

Fishing for answers
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.

Hot topics
Summer seminars spread prevention tips cross-country

Luncheon makes a lasting impact
Inaugural impact luncheon honors Tom Buchholz, M.D.

Biomarker tied to poor survival for colorectal cancer patients
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.

Research breakthrough: immunotherapy for advanced kidney cancer
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 wins Lasker Award
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.

MD Anderson president among top 100 influencers in health care
Ronald DePinho, M.D. has been named to Modern Healthcare's 2015 list of
Top 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.

Less may be more
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.

Superpowers against the sun
Five globetrotting, sun-blocking superheroes use their superpowers -
shade, clothing, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses - to teach preschoolers
about lifelong sun safety.

Welcome, Joxel Garcia, M.D.
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.