Every handprint tells a story

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.

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®.

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.

Summer seminars spread prevention tips cross-country

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.