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 : Jim Allison wins Lasker Award
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.
Jim Allison, Ph.D., in his lab. Photo by F. Carter Smith.
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.
Through research into the biology of T cells, white blood cells that serve as guided weapons for the immune system, Allison developed an antibody that unleashes an immune response against cancer. Drugs using this immune checkpoint blockade approach are approved for treating late-stage melanoma and lung cancer (see promising kidney cancer study). Long-term studies show 20% of late-stage melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab survive for at least 10 years.
"The Lasker award highlights Jim's genius, creativity and passion," says
MD Anderson President Ronald DePinho, M.D. "Countless cancer patients have experienced renewed promise and health thanks to this groundbreaking advance."
Allison is MD Anderson's second faculty member to win a Lasker award. Emil J Freireich, M.D., was honored in 1972 for outstanding achievements in chemotherapy combination treatment and supportive care for leukemia patients.
"As a basic scientist, I was pleasantly surprised, really kind of stunned, to receive this award," Allison says. "It's important recognition of cancer immunotherapy's early success and its great potential to extend cancer survival for decades, and ultimately to cure some types of cancer."
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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.
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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
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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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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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