These may seem like simple questions, but we often overlook the impact of purchasing a paper ribbon at Kroger, buying a pink ribbon bagel from Panera or simply sending a donation. Well, I want you to know that those contributions are directly impacting patient lives!
Stef left us all with a mission to keep fighting and raising dollars to help find a cure. You joined me in that mission, and I am forever grateful. So it gives me great pride to share that the fund has now reached the $20 million-plus milestone. I celebrate this remarkable achievement with all of you, and I want to assure you that those dollars are being used to make advances in research and care.
Your Dollars in Action
Raquel Reinbolt, MD, medical oncologist at the OSUCCC – James, is investigating the mechanism of antiestrogen therapy induced joint inflammation and pain. Anti-estrogen therapy is one of the most effective therapies for the most common type of breast cancer, but many patients stop taking this pill prematurely due to joint pain. Understanding the reason for developing this pain will help to prevent this side effect and improve compliance to this therapy. This will directly result in saving more lives and improving quality of life for patients treated for breast cancer.
Robert Wesolowski, MD, OSUCCC – James medical oncologist, is trying to understand how we can reinvigorate our immune system to fight the cancer cells in our body. Our immune system is a complex network which protects us from infections and cancer. But sometimes our immune cells react in a way that can “protect” the cancer cells instead of fighting them. Dr. Wesolowski is investigating if inhibiting a protein called BRD4 could result in reducing the ability of our immune cells to protect the cancer cells and improve outcomes of patients suffering with this type of breast cancer.
Bhuvana Ramaswamy, MD, OSUCCC – James medical oncologist, is working on breast cancer efforts. In particular, she is looking at how breastfeeding decreases the risk of developing the most aggressive type of breast cancer, called triple negative breast cancer. This work will help us to better understand how to prevent this aggressive cancer that frequently occurs in young women, particularly young African-American women.
These are just a few examples of how your gifts are making a difference. Over the years, I’ve heard OSUCCC director and James CEO Michael A. Caligiuri, MD, say that federal funding remains fl at or is decreasing. Private philanthropy is more important than ever. We can’t let bold thinking and new ideas go unfunded, so your support is crucial to helping researchers and doctors at the OSUCCC – James take the first steps toward making their ideas a reality.
Thank you for making a positive impact and for your continued support.
Continue to Fight.
Chris Spielman
Co-Founder, Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research