Mesothelioma Help Cancer News

Million Dollar Donation to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

• Nancy Meredith
• Featured News

Just last week we suggested several mesothelioma support organizations to consider donating to in 2014. While non-profit organizations rely heavily on private donations to offer services to mesothelioma patients and their families, many hospitals also rely on private donations to continue to fund mesothelioma research. Now, six “elite U.S. cancer research facilities” will receive a share of $540 million, donated by the estate of the late American shipping magnate Daniel Ludwig, to apply towards fighting cancer.

According to an article from Reuters, the money will be divided equally among “Ludwig Centers” already established at Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Stanford University and the University of Chicago.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center, and is also one of the premier centers for treating mesothelioma patients. According to MSKCC’s website, the cancer center “is a leader in the treatment of mesothelioma and has one of the nation’s largest volumes of patients with this illness.” In addition, scientists at MSKCC are focused on developing new therapies and approaches to treat mesothelioma patients.

“This amazing gift will enable outstanding basic and translational scientists at the Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering to engage in high-risk, high-impact, cutting-edge research at the intersection of immunology, cancer biology, and clinical oncology,” said Alexander Rudensky, PhD, Director of the Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in a press release announcing the gift.

MSKCC reports its Ludwig Center focuses on harnessing the power of the immune system to fight cancer. Doctors at MSKCC have recently been conducting a clinical trial using the Wilms Tumor-1 vaccine to help the body build an effective immune response to kill cancer cells. The trial was tested on mesothelioma patients to see if it delays or prevents malignant pleural mesothelioma from growing back after surgery. Don Smitley, father of MesotheliomaHelp writer Jennifer Gelsick, was a participant in that trial after which he enjoyed a year of life nearly free of mesothelioma symptoms before passing away in October 2013.

Cancer research is expensive and time-consuming, and for research related to a rare disease, such as mesothelioma, the costs can be even higher. This donation from Ludwig, among the largest publicly recorded gifts to cancer research made by a private organization, provides MSKCC with $90 million to not only fund research, but to attract “the best and the brightest new scientists and clinicians to the field of tumor immunology.”

“The extraordinarily generous gift from Ludwig Cancer Research will have a transformative impact on the Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering,” said Jedd Wolchok, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist, immunologist, and Associate Director of the Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Director of the Swim Across America/Ludwig Collaborative Research Laboratory.

Five Lessons I Learned from Caring for My Father During his Fight with Mesothelioma

• Joseph Belluck
• Faces of Mesothelioma, Family, Mesothelioma

When I was asked to write about what I’d learned from living with someone with cancer, I was stumped. There are so many nuances that go along with this topic, where should I start? After a lot of thought, I came up with five things that I realize now are so important.

1. Don’t let cancer dictate every move you and your loved one make. After Dad was first diagnosed, I found myself letting my whole life revolve around cancer… not Dad necessarily, but Dad’s cancer.  It can become easy to stop treating someone like a person and start treating them like a disease.  Every time Dad would move or cough or say he was tired, I would instantly jump into action thinking that something was wrong. He finally told me that he was okay and he would let me know if there was a problem. I did my best to honor his request and not worry so much.
2. Try to relax. For your sake and for the sake of your loved one, try to take a breath and relax a little.  When you stress, those around you feel it and start to feel anxious as well. This doesn’t fare well for anyone involved.
3. Ask for help.  A cancer diagnosis comes with a lot of challenges and tough choices that you would never think of. It is way too much to try to handle them alone. Talk to other family members, trusted friends, your Priest or Pastor, and ask them to assist you. Most of the time, people want to help, they just don’t want to appear nosy or overbearing. Even having someone pick up some groceries or take a trip to the post office for you can be a huge help. It’s also wonderful just to have that support around you.
4. Cling to your faith. Dad carried a coin with him every day that said, “Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I can’t handle together.” Take a second to think about that. It is so true.  My family has relied on our faith in God to get us through every stage of this journey. From start to finish, God brought us to and through each point along the way.
5. Treasure every moment. I cannot stress enough how important this is. For every person, no matter what your health, our time here on earth is fleeting. Every second you spend with those you care about is special. What you might think is just a normal, boring day, is what you’ll miss when someone you love is no longer here. I would love to have even one more second to spend with my Dad, but God had a different plan. No matter what, don’t take anything for granted.

I hope that these five things will bring some comfort and help to you.  Please know that my prayers and the prayers of my family are with you always.  God bless you!

MD Anderson Cancer Center and IBM’s Watson Pair Up to Fight Cancer

• Nancy Meredith
• Featured News

MesotheliomaHelp has followed IBM’s Watson from its first success in Jeopardy! in 2011 to its use in collaboration between IBM and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The supercomputer that is already helping doctors diagnose and treat cancer patients is now going to support MD Anderson’s Moon Shots program designed to eradicate cancer.

In an October 18, 2013 press release, IBM and MD Anderson announced MD Anderson Cancer Center will begin using the IBM Watson cognitive computing system for its mission to put an end to cancer. MD Anderson’s president Ronald DePinho, M.D. used President John F. Kennedy’s drive to put a man on the moon as inspiration to reduce the number of deaths from cancer, leading to the Moon Shots program.

While the Moon Shots program will focus on eight cancers including, breast, leukemia and lung cancer, the use of MD Anderson’s Oncology Expert Advisor, powered by IBM Watson, will initially be used to fight leukemia. However, the successes achieved through the use of the supercomputer will especially benefit mesothelioma patients and other patients with rare cancers. Watson can access digital information dispersed throughout the world in just a matter of seconds and “integrate the knowledge of MD Anderson’s clinicians and researchers.”

According to the press release, the Expert Advisor will provide the tools for the MD Anderson medical professionals “to observe and fine-tune treatment plans for patients, while helping them recognize adverse events that may occur throughout the care continuum.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, clinical trials are at the heart of all medical advances. Clinical trials serve to uncover better ways to treat, prevent, diagnose and understand human disease. They provide mesothelioma researchers, and all cancer researchers, with critical information needed to allow them to move their findings from the lab to patients. One way that Watson will benefit cancer patients is by providing a ‘map’ of all clinical trials a patient is eligible for and then identifying the best fit for the given patient.

For many cancer patients, clinical trials may offer them the best available treatment as well as the opportunity to receive new, potentially more effective therapies against their disease.

The ultimate goal for the Cancer Center’s use of the Expert Advisor is “to advance the cancer center’s goal of treating patients with the most effective, safe and evidence-based standard of care available.”

In 2013, MD Anderson Cancer Center was named as the nation’s best hospital for cancer care by US News & World Report. This was the seventh straight year for the ranking, and the tenth time in the last 12 years for the honor. According to the hospital’s website, “MD Anderson’s Thoracic Center cares for more patients with mesothelioma than almost any other center in the United States.” In addition, mesothelioma patients at MD Anderson are treated by a specially trained support team of experts in their fields and mesothelioma. Anne S. Tsao, M.D., Director of the Mesothelioma Program is one of the leading authorities of mesothelioma in the US and is also one of the strongest advocates for taking a personalized treatment approach to mesothelioma.

3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. There is no known cure for the cancer, however, personalized care and treatment focused on each patient’s specific characteristics can improve the survival and quality of life.

Consider Donating to a Mesothelioma Support Organization in 2014

• Nancy Meredith
• Featured News

At this time of year, many people start pulling out receipts to see what kind of tax breaks they can get from their charitable donations in the previous year. There are thousands of organizations competing for donations, and deciding where to allocate your dollars is a very personal decision. This year, MesotheliomaHelp asks that you consider making a donation to a charity that is dedicated to finding a cure for mesothelioma and for improving the lives of mesothelioma victims.

Each year, 3,000 Americans and 2,500 Brits are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by past asbestos exposure. The cancer is highly aggressive and is resistant to many cancer treatments, leading researchers throughout the world to spend countless hours searching for a new, effective treatment. There is no known cure for the disease.

Cancer research is expensive and time-consuming, and for research related to a rare disease, such as mesothelioma, the costs can be even higher. Researchers rely on funding from public and private sources to run their clinical trials and to ensure continuous funding throughout the projects.

Mesothelioma Organizations in the US and the UK

The benefits that these organizations provide to patients, families, and caregivers are boundless. If you are looking for a resource for information pertaining to mesothelioma, these organizations are established and many have been recognized for their support and dedication to the field of research and medicine.

• Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. ADAO was founded in 2004 to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice, to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and to work towards a global asbestos ban. ADAO is an independent global organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy and community.
• Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. The Meso Foundation is one of the leading foundations “dedicated to eradicating the life-ending and vicious effects of mesothelioma.” A donation to the Meso Foundation will help fund grants and critical research, advocate in Washington, D.C. for greater federal funding, and educate patients, families and doctors on current treatment options. You can support The Meso Foundation through a donation established by MesotheliomaHelp blogger Jennifer Gelsick, and her family, in memory of her father, Don Smitley.
• CancerCare.org. CancerCare is the largest, long-standing national organization helping all people affected by any type and any stage of cancer. 87% of donations directly support its suite of services, which include telephone, online and in-person counseling and support groups, educational workshops and resources, as well as financial assistance. Donors can designate their gifts to support general operations or medication co-pay assistance. The 2013 Woodworkers Fighting Cancer build event donated over $12,000 to CancerCare.
• Mesothelioma UK. Mesothelioma UK is a national resource centre located in England dedicated to providing specialist Mesothelioma information, support and improved care and treatment for residents of the United Kingdom. All services are free of charge; they rely totally on donations to the Mesothelioma UK Charitable Trust for financial support. Mavis Nye, a British mesothelioma survivor, donates proceeds of her book, Meso Warrior, to Mesothelioma UK to help raise funds for mesothelioma research.
• Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund. MKMRF is an English organization founded by Chris Knighton after her husband, Mick, passed away from mesothelioma. The organization aims to raise awareness, fund crucial research projects, improve diagnosis, treatment and care for mesothelioma sufferers plus offer help in accessing information and support. Jan Egerton, a nearly 10-year mesothelioma survivor and an ambassador for MKMRF, donates proceeds of her novel, “The DreamWeaver’s Choice,” to MKMRF.
• Cancer Fund of America can be traced back to March 23, 1984, making it the oldest national cancer organization having its primary mission of providing products to the cancer victim and their family with no emphasis placed on research.

Every dollar makes a difference for mesothelioma research. To help the fight against mesothelioma, please consider donating today!

Sources:

• Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
  http://www.cvent.com/events/2012-annual-asbestos-awareness-conference/archived-e6277e3d443b4c059bed43fc0937b530.aspx
• Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
  http://www.curemeso.org/site/c.duIWJfNQKiL8G/b.8598593/k.D685/Homepage.htm
• Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund
  http://www.blf.org.uk/Page/MKMRF-Mick-Knighton-Mesothelioma-Research-Fund

Mesothelioma Warrior Faces Declining Health

• Joseph Belluck
• Faces of Mesothelioma

One of the saddest things about dying from cancer is the realisation that you can see your body deteriorate. At first, especially with mesothelioma, it’s that little breathlessness you never had before. That small incline at the bottom of the road was easy a few months back, now you find you need to stop to take a moment before setting off on to the flat.

In all the years I have been fighting mesothelioma, my one problem was pain, not breathlessness, until last year when I noticed I got breathless walking the dogs, always after walking up an incline.

Just this summer, with a stomach full of fluid I was still marching around. Always a fast walker, on the flat I was walking without a problem, but the stairs, on the other hand, became somewhat tiresome.

Suddenly, after having the drain fitted and taking on a chest infection my breathing plummeted – I can no longer walk five yards without being breathless. Stairs are my enemy, even walking to the kitchen and back takes all my strength. This is full on realisation that makes me worry, ‘Will I always be like this?’ ‘Can the chemo reverse this,’ and lastly, ‘Is my time nearly up?’

There are some solutions to elevate the problems of mobility, such as a wheelchair for going out, a chair lift for those stairs, but mentally this doesn’t remove the fears that our bodies are weakening to the effects of the cancer.

I know bowel cancer, stomach cancer and various others do bring pain, but many are towards the very end. With mesothelioma we seem to suffer from start to finish. I guess that is what makes this the worst cancer in the world to have. Unless some high powered minister or government official ever had to suffer or watch their family member go through this, they will never see or understand the complexity of what this disease does.

I hate the fact I can see the changes taking place, I can see the pain it brings in my husband’s face, each time I have to ask him to help me. I am losing another piece of my own independence, and I face the fact that I am getting worse.

We are all holding out for that one drug that will help, but since the development of pemetrexed, which works on only 40% of mesothelioma, nothing better has come on the market. That drug was found by accident, maybe the next one is around the corner. But unless a significant amount of people get a benefit from a new drug the trials are scrapped. What happens to the 60% it doesn’t work for?

As I now battle with the spread of my cancer to the abdomen as well as both lungs and back on my pericardium, I fear the worst. I have to believe the chemotherapy I am trying now will take me back to the health I so enjoyed in May and prior. Never again would I complain about that little bit of being out of puff, I would rather that than be in a wheelchair. Never before have I felt like an invalid, but now I need to review my life and begin a new way of normal.

To those facing this same decline we must stay focused on the fact we are still here and still able to share in the life and enjoyment of our loved ones, for it is them we keep pushing ourselves on for. I must put away my own worries about my decline so that my husband can feel he isn’t helpless anymore but helping me live as full a life as normal.