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.
Fall 2015 : My Moon Shot
My Moon Shot
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.
Photo by Shawn Green.
When I learned that the Moon Shots Program had added glioblastoma research, it was like a dream come true. Brain cancer patients do not have the luxury of time. Now the most promising research will reach patients much more quickly. The cure seems so close.
For me personally, it means a little relief from the heightened urgency that never has subsided since Marnie's diagnosis. All the loved ones of brain tumor patients experience this feeling. It's encouraging to know that MD Anderson is accelerating efforts to expedite treatments, increase survival times and save lives.
MD Anderson offers so much to brain cancer patients: focused radiation to spare healthy tissue, the Brainsuite® where an MRI scans the patient's brain during surgery, a depository for brain tumor samples, a team approach to patient care, innovative research and clinical trials that bring hope. We were the first to fund the development of the Delta-24-RGD oncolytic virus at MD Anderson after it was turned down for funding by the National Institutes of Health. It was our very first project, and we've also funded immunotherapy for years. We continue to fund the Delta-24-RGD research as it's combined with immunotherapy drugs to enhance its efficacy.
Marnie was appalled and frightened as she looked around and saw no awareness of brain cancer, no funding for brain cancer, no interest in brain cancer except among her MD Anderson doctors and their colleagues. She wanted the world to know that brain cancer is no longer a disease of older men - it's destroying young, promising lives. She would be thrilled at the promising work of the Glioblastoma Moon Shot team.
I'm seeing the cancer world from the perspective of a new patient, so I'm attuned to the remarkable care MD Anderson gives its patients. Appointments are made for you. You're guided through every step in the process. Information is at your fingertips. MD Anderson is truly a place of hope.
What's your moon shot? Contact us at promise@mdanderson.org and tell us why MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program is important to you.
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Rosemary Herron is a 14-year breast cancer survivor and longtime Pink Ribbon Volunteer at
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Rogers Award honors esteemed educator
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