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 : Among Friends: Getting to know Mel Klein
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.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
I have a lust for life, adventure, travel and learning and am a positive thinker, driven and laser-focused. Three words? Live, love, learn.
What are the secrets to success?
Desire, determination, vision and, above all, a positive attitude.
Who do you count among your mentors?
C.V. Starr, founder of American International Group, who arranged for me to work in AIG's general counsel's office during law school and, after graduation, at high levels in Washington, D.C.; and Dan Lufkin and the late Jay Pritzker, close friends and business partners over decades, extraordinary men who taught me how to be creative and pursue and obtain my goals.
What is most important in life?
Loyalty to family, friends and the institutions and causes to which I am committed. My father, who had an irrepressibly positive view of life, taught his children and grandchildren to do the best with our abilities and to take care of each other and those in need. My mother, who will be 97 this November, continues to reinforce those values.
Describe a particularly life-changing event.
At age 18, while a freshman in college, I was the only survivor of an alcohol-related car accident. I have not touched hard liquor since, and rarely drink. That tragic experience affected me deeply and motivated me to make a positive difference with my life.
Have there been other turning points?
In 1976, after declining an offer to be the fourth founding partner of KKR, a global investment firm, with Jerome Kohlberg Jr., Henry Kravis and George Roberts, I left New York to marry my fiancee in Corpus Christi and settle in her hometown to be near her family.
Tell us a little-known fact about Mel Klein.
In the 1990s, I co-founded two independent film companies that backed "Sophie's Choice" and other movies. A favorite project was "Getting Away With Murder," starring Dan Akroyd, Jack Lemmon, Lily Tomlin and Bonnie Hunt, and produced by Penny Marshall. The director, Harvey Miller, let me be assistant director for several days; my daughter Jacqueline had a speaking part with Akroyd.
What do you do for fun?
Play tennis, work out, hike and read, mainly nonfiction.
What motivated you to be an advocate for MD Anderson?
My mother-in-law was treated at MD Anderson for lymphoma, and my father was treated for multiple myeloma by a doctor who trained there. After he died, Mickey LeMaistre (Charles LeMaistre, M.D., then MD Anderson president) invited me to join the Board of Visitors. It was an honor, and still is, to be associated with the most outstanding, dedicated and compassionate people in the field.
How has your own cancer experience affected your perspective?
In 2011, after a diagnosis of atypical amelanotic melanoma, I immediately came to MD Anderson. Now I look forward to celebrating my five-year survivorship, in January - especially considering a very recent second occurrence, again successfully treated at MD Anderson. My personal cancer experience, coupled with the losses of my mother-in-law, father and sister, in 2010 to T cell prolymphocytic leukemia, has strengthened my opinion of the universal quality that permeates the institution. It is a beacon of hope, thanks to the most extraordinary people in the world - from the leadership at the top of the professionals on staff to the volunteers - all united in one goal: to end cancer. I am committed to doing my part in advancing their efforts in Making Cancer History®.
More Stories From Promise
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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.
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
Every handprint tells a story
Hyundai Hope on Wheels
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.