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Archive for the ‘Cancer Early Detection’ Category
Welcome Back: Pacific Eyecare Specialists Rejoins Canary Challenge as a Corporate Sponsor
April 25, 2013
Bernd Kutzscher is an ophthalmologist whose daughter Lauren was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. The entire Kutzscher family, including Lauren, her mother and father, sister and brother have ridden in the Canary Challenge for the past three years. Bernd’s eye firm, Pacific Eyecare Specialist, has been a corporate sponsor of the Canary Challenge since the beginning, to show gratitude for the exceptional care Lauren was given at the Stanford Cancer Institute. Lauren was the impetus for starting Team Lauren.
Lauren was kind enough to share her story with us in 2011, an excerpt of which is below:
“As most of you know, I was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer in the form of a sarcoma in my hip in September of 2009. 14 chemotherapy treatments, 10 sessions of radiation, 100 days in the hospital, and 8 months in remission later, I’m proud to say that I am healthy and fully back in action! I could not have done it without my wonderful team of doctors, nurses, and more at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the Stanford Cancer Center – and I am forever grateful to them for their wisdom, kindness, and healing touch.
I know that we have all felt the devastating effects of cancer in one way or another. And despite advances in cancer research and treatment, there is still much work to be done. Please help me reach my fundraising goal so that we may all unite in the fight against cancer. Any donation – big or small – will make a huge difference. And for those that like to bike, I invite you to ride alongside me as I sail through the finish line.”
We’re incredibly grateful to Lauren, her family, and Pacific Eye Care Specialists for their continued support of the Canary Challenge. Her story has been an inspiration to many to participate, donate, and spread the word.
To learn more about Jill’s incredible story, check out this article on Sports Illustrated Online: “The Courage of Jill Costello.”
To see the Canary Challenge Team Lauren page, click here.
Job Openings in Cancer Early Detection Research
April 18, 2013
We are pleased to announce that the Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection is recruiting two new faculty members at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level.
The Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection is dedicated to fostering research leading to the development of in vitro and in vivo strategies for the low-cost, early detection, and diagnosis of solid tumors (particularly cancers of the ovary, prostate, colon, lung, pancreas, breast and brain). Candidates should have significant and demonstrated interest in early cancer detection research. Stanford University and the Department of Radiology have made substantial commitments towards the expansion of early cancer diagnostics research including the opening of a new building with significant space available to Canary Center members.
Additionally, the Canary Center at Stanford is hiring for the following positions:
Postdoctoral or Research Scientist Position with Experience in Protein Engineering
Postdoctoral Position with Experience in Protein Chemistry / Cancer Cell Biology
Postdoctoral Position with Experience in Computational Systems Biology
Click here to learn more about the open positions and requirements for candidates.
Lung Cancer Early Detection: Canary Focuses on Non-Smokers
April 17, 2013
Recently, a story was published on KPLC 7 News noting how early detection is particularly difficult with lung cancer. In keeping with Canary Foundation’s two-step process, the Canary Early Cancer Detection for Lung Cancer program’s goal is to develop a combined blood test and imaging approach to detect lethal lung cancer early, because early detection and treatment greatly enhance survival.
“Oftentimes lung cancer symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing are confused with conditions like asthma and pneumonia. That is why it is so important that those in the medical community know the next step for lung cancer diagnosis: Screenings.” (KPLC 7 News Online, “Early detection very difficult with lung cancer”)
The Canary Lung team is tackling the under-recognized area of lung cancer in non-smokers, seeking to understand why it develops and what the disease characteristics are in order to create screening tools for that disease.
Imaging for Lung Cancer Early Detection
CT screening* can reduce mortality from lung cancer, shown recently with the results of the National Lung Screening Trial, or NLST. Currently, when patients undergo a CT scan, it’s possible to see a problem spot, such as a lung nodule, but difficult to determine whether or not it is cancer. This presents a real opportunity to enhance the specificity of current imaging technology so it will be possible to determine if a spot isn’t or is cancer, and if so, whether it shows lethal characteristics. More »
Canary Challenge Training with Vanderkitten Racing
April 15, 2013
Are you looking to step up your performance for the Canary Challenge on September 28? You are invited to participate in a special cycling training session hosted by Vanderkitten Racing! All Canary-registered cyclists are encouraged to attend, and are welcome to bring a friend for no charge.
For those not yet registered, the training is $25 (or you can register for the Canary Challenge to waive the fee). Don’t worry about getting left behind! This is a no-drop ride for beginners and intermediate cyclists.
Training Details
Sunday, April 21st
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Palo Alto, CA
Departs from California Avenue
(Exact location included in response to your RSVP)
Early Prostate Cancer Detection Builds Clinical Trial Base
April 9, 2013
One of Canary’s major research areas is early detection of prostate cancer, as well as differentiating types of prostate cancer. Our clinical trial, PASS (Prostate Active Surveillance Study), has 880 enrolled toward the goal of 1000 participants enrolled with each person receiving five years of follow-up study.
Ultimately, Canary Foundation maintains that the medical community would like to be able to tell a patient if his prostate cancer is an aggressive or lethal form so that it can be treated, while avoiding unnecessary treatment for those patients who do not have an aggressive form of the disease (and therefore sparing those men of the side effects of surgery or other treatments, which includes potential incontinence and impotence).
PASS is increasingly recognized as a strong resource for studies of the types of biomarkers that distinguish aggressive cancer. Men with early-stage cancer are enrolled and followed closely for signs that their cancer is progressing, while donating specimens for research. Some men will have cancer that progresses and some will not, and the Canary-led science team will have specimens collected over the years from both groups.
Because it is a high quality resource, PASS is attracting collaborations with scientists and companies who have promising markers to validate.
Tragedy Happens when it’s Too Late
April 2, 2013
A cancer diagnoses changes you forever. You never forget the moment it came. John F. Kennedy once said: “When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters – one represents danger, the other represents opportunity”. My diagnosis was definitely a crisis. It was frightening news, but at the same time one of the most beautiful things that has ever happened to me.
How on earth can one admit that cancer is a beautiful thing? Let’s be clear – I am by no means saying that cancer is good. However, the silver lining is that I was immediately awakened. I found myself realizing that life can be taken away with little to no warning. I made amends with long lost friends and loved ones. I became so much closer to my family. I even became a much bigger fan of baseball and the other hobbies that I loved. The one problem was, I had cancer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI-TFy_db54
I was standing in line at AT&T Park getting ready to see my beloved San Francisco Giants. I went to the game hours early with the hopes that I would get my hands on one of their bobblehead giveaways. After standing in line for hours, I began to experience intense back pain. I had a very hard time waiting and found myself sitting on the ground quite a bit with the hopes of the pain subsiding. After a few hours, I finally made it into the park with the very valuable Joe DiMaggio bobblehead in hand and was ready for a very exciting day at the yard.
As the day progressed, the pain did not go away, and I had to leave the game early. I knew that something was wrong. As I was reaching for my train ticket from my front pocket, I experienced a great deal of pain coming from my testicle – a feeling that I’d never experienced before. Knowing my body, I took a deep breath and confirmed that something was definitely wrong.
When I got home, I called my mother. I told her, “Mom…something is wrong and I think I have cancer.” She was taken aback by me saying this and told me to remain positive. Something my mom has always reminded me to do.
I went to see my Urologist and told him about my symptoms. After my examination, he admitted that he felt a nodule on my testicle, but he felt I had nothing to worry about and recommended an ultrasound only for peace of mind. What I had going for me per the physician is that “I was too old (I was 33 yrs old at the time) and that “symptoms are rare.” I had the ultrasound and 13 minutes later I was told that my testicle needed to be removed right away. Basically, act now and ask questions later. I had a ‘crisis’ on my hands.
Fortunately, the cancer was caught at one of the earliest stages possible (Stage 1B, localized, but beginning to spread). But I never saw it coming; there was no history of cancer in my family. How did this happen, and why? What did I do to bring this on? What if it hadn’t been caught early?
Can you imagine a world where testing and early detection would be the standard, and cancer would be that much closer to being solved? I can. The key to winning the battle against cancer is being able to defeat it long before it takes us and our loved ones. I strongly believe early detection testing and technology will become standard someday. We must be vigilant, strong, and as my mom has always reminded me to do, stay positive. Cancer as we know it will be a thing of the past. Someday, cancer will lose its battle.
About the Author:
Eric Henderson is a survivor of testicular cancer. He is a clinical medical assistant with Stanford Vascular & Endovascular Care. Follow him on Twitter @TheHendu.
About The Video:
Eric’s video is a submission for our #WhyIRideCanary Campaign, featuring the stories of Canary Challenge riders and the reason they support cancer early detection research. To learn more and to participate, visit our campaign page.
Mike’s Bikes Supports the Canary Challenge: Riding for Cancer Early Detection
March 19, 2013
We’re very excited to announce that Mike’s Bikes has joined the Canary Foundation family by becoming a Canary Challenge sponsor!
Mike’s Bikes was founded in 1964 as one of Marin County’s very first Schwinn shops. Today, Mike’s Bikes is a growing family of local bike shops, all with a singular purpose – to get as many people on bikes as possible. They own and operate eleven wildly successful stores in Petaluma, San Rafael, Sausalito, San Francisco, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Sacramento, Walnut Creek, and their newest stores in San Jose and Pleasanton.
Mike’s Bikes will offer a 15% discount to all Canary Challenge riders on parts and accessories at any one of their 11 stores. Riders need to bring in their registration or confirmation form that shows they are a part of the ride. Visit their website to learn more about their products and locations.
Support Mike’s Bikes for supporting Canary, and get a great discount on your riding gear in the process!
Riding Together for Cancer Early Detection: Canary Challenge Celebrates Partnership with Vanderkitten Racing
February 22, 2013
Text “Canary” to 99000 for the scoop on the Canary Challenge!
Canary Challenge celebrated our new partnership with Vanderkitten Racing with a 75K ride along the Canary Challenge route in the lovely hills behind Palo Alto, CA. Ten cyclists from their team came together from all over the world to promote our September 28, 2013 ride to raise funds to benefit the Stanford Cancer Institute and Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection. Since 2005, Vanderkitten has been committed to spreading awareness of women excelling, battling the odds and achieving. They are an organization dedicated to increasing the visibility of successful women and inspiring women by sharing those stories. Canary Challenge is excited and honored to partner with an organization that so highly values and promotes women’s athletics – especially since physical activity is one of the cornerstones of cancer prevention.
The ride lasted about three hours, looping through the scenic route through Portola Valley and up King’s Mountain Road to Woodside and back past Palo Alto. The riders were delighted to be accompanied by Edwin the Early Cancer Detection Early Bird, our very own mascot. If you haven’t ridden the Canary Challenge before, you’ll be astounded by the gorgeous scenery and incredible views. You’re in for a treat!
Following the ride was a healthy lunch and a presentation by our founder, Don Listwin, who articulated the Canary Foundation mission and vision for our new partners. The riders were fascinated by the statistics illustrating how most funding for cancer research goes tocuring cancer at its later stages, rather than investing in technologies that will help us catch it early. By the end of the presentation, the team was fully on board to support Canary’s vision to live in a world where cancer is detected in its earliest, most curable stages.
A tour of the facility proved equally exciting, where the riders had a chance to see the labs and research teams hard at work on the most cutting edge technology in cancer early detection.
We’re beyond thrilled to have Vanderkitten Racing on board for the Canary Challenge. We consider them a part of our team, and they consider us a part of theirs. Join us for the ride onSeptember 28 for a chance to meet the Vanderkitten Racing team and even ride along with them (as long as you can keep up, that is!). Text “Canary” to 99000 for more information, or just go and Register today.
Raising Funds for Cancer Early Detection: Canary Foundation Luncheon 2013
February 13, 2013
Last Friday, 200 supporters of the Canary Foundation joined at the Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club for the Annual Canary Luncheon. Together, we celebrated Canary’s successes in cancer early detection, discussed the latest technology in ovarian and breast cancer early detection research, and reviewed advances in microbubble technology.
All in all, we raised more than $187,000 to support early detection research and funds are still coming in! Special appreciation goes to an anonymous family foundation and Judy and Alan Zafran who provided lead gifts that inspired this giving. We thank them for their belief in our mission.
One of the highlights of the luncheon was watching Jesse Draper of The Valley Girl Show interview our Founder, Don Listwin, and Dr. Sanjiv “Sam” Gambhir, Chair of the Radiology Department at Stanford University and Director of the Canary Center at Stanford. Jesse brought a great energy to the conversation, asking questions about Canary Foundation research and progress, and helping to explain microbubble technology and its role in imaging for cancer early detection. Click here to watch Don Listwin give a breakdown of microbubble technology and how it will change the way we detect cancer in the future.
In addition to discussing technology and research, the interview also reinforced the most basic and fundamental message of the Canary Foundation: to detect cancer at its earliest, most curable stages. One of the highlights day was from Ronica Smucker, Executive Director of Canary Foundation, who stated: “If you come away from this luncheon with any number, it should be this: nine times out of ten, if cancer is detected early, the patient survives.” When asked for the best tip for the audience, Dr. Gambhir urged the audience to make it a priority to attend routine checkups with your doctor- the primary way cancer is detected early.
Thank you once again for all those who attended and helped us make this one of the most successful Canary Luncheons to date. We’ve created a photo gallery of the event on Facebook. We welcome you to check out the photos and tag yourself.
Ovarian Cancer Early Detection: Screening at Stanford School of Medicine
February 7, 2013
On behalf of the Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection and the Stanford Cancer Institute, the Canary Foundation is supporting the search for candidates to participate in the Novel Markers Trial Ovarian Cancer Screening Test. This is an important new research study looking at markers in the blood that may be used as an early detection test for ovarian cancer. If you fit the criteria, please consider joining the effort to reach the vision of living in a world of simple tests that identify and isolate cancer at its earliest, most curable stage.
Candidates are needed who fit the following criteria:
- Healthy women
- Ages 45-80
- Have at least one ovary
If you are willing to donate one tube of blood and fill out a questionnaire once a year for two years, we’re looking for you! If you have three of the following risk factors you may qualify:
- Of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
- Never given birth to a child (this counts as two risk factors)
- Never had a tubal ligation
- Used hormonal contraception (birth control pills) for less than a year in your life
If you are interested in learning more, please contact the research study office at novelmarkers@stanford.edu or call (650) 724-3308. For general information about participant rights, contact 1-866-680-2906.
