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 : A journey down the right path
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.
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. Jerry and his wife, Cheryle, live in nearby Clinton, where they lead a close-knit family with four children and four grandchildren living within five minutes of their home. They were devastated.
Jerry's son-in-law did some quick research and found MD Anderson has made impressive strides in treating bladder cancer. Before long, Jerry was headed to Houston for his best chance at survival, confined to a wheelchair and growing ever weaker. That day, at the end of his cul-de-sac, a special surprise awaited him: all of their friends, children and grandchildren holding a banner the grandchildren had made that read "Our papa will beat cancer."
"It brought tears to my eyes," Jerry recalls. "I thought, 'How are they going to cope if I don't beat this?' Maybe that helped me too."
After a series of tests at MD Anderson, Jerry met his oncologist, Jennifer Wang, M.D., and his surgeon, Jay Bakul Shah, M.D. They started with chemotherapy, which shrank the tumor to half its size. After a quick jaunt home for his daughter's wedding, it was time for surgery.
Optimal outcomes
Bladder surgery patients typically have a 10- to 14-day hospital stay followed by months of recovery at home. Thanks to the Optimized Surgical Journey for bladder cancer patients, a new approach by Shah that tweaks the standard of care before, during and after surgery, Jerry was discharged three days after the operation.
"Jerry wouldn't be alive today if we hadn't gone to MD Anderson," Cheryle says.
He's regained nearly all of the weight he lost during treatment and is back to his favorite activity: 18 holes of golf, five days a week.
"I was given a miracle," Jerry says. "Dr. Shah is the best thing that ever happened to us."
To show their gratitute, Cheryle and Jerry contributed $125,000 to support the doctor's Optimized Surgical Journey initiative.
"This is a good cause for a good team of people moving in the right direction," Jerry says. "I look at them as geniuses with common sense and compassion."
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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.
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.
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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.
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Inaugural impact luncheon honors Tom Buchholz, M.D.
Biomarker tied to poor survival for colorectal cancer patients
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Research breakthrough: immunotherapy for advanced kidney cancer
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Jim Allison wins Lasker Award
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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
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Five globetrotting, sun-blocking superheroes use their superpowers - shade, clothing, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses - to teach preschoolers about lifelong sun safety.
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