I was very happy to attend the NCI Summit. I am grateful for the hard work of Dr. Modlin, Dr. Chung, Dr. Betsy Snyderwine, Dr. Dan Jenson, James Hadley, Lenora Johnson, and Jan Weymouth. Thank you to the NCI, the NIH, the FNIH, and all the individual scientists involved.
The NCI Summit brought together an impressive group of international scientists. The scientists had various specialties, which fostered productive discussion about tumor biology, new clinical therapies and disease management.
On the one hand, I’m grateful that the Summit happened. The NCI/NIH is now more aware of the importance of researching carcinoid/related NETs. On the other hand, the Summit brought out several key points that the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation has emphasized since inception:
1. Carcinoid and related neuroendocrine tumors are far more common than believed. Their incidence and prevalence are increasing at a more rapid rate than other cancers.
2. Scientific understanding of these cancers is so rudimentary that:
i. basic scientific research tools do not exist.
ii. genetic understanding of the cause, progression, and mutation of these cancers does not exist.
3. Scientific collaboration will be the key to unlocking understanding of this disease.
To address these issues, CFCF is in the process of awarding more research grants. This will mark our third straight year of awarding sizeable grants to scientists in this field. The best way to support a patient is by ensuring that curative therapies (based on a concrete understanding of tumor biology) will exist soon. Supporting CFCF is the only way to ensure that will happen.
CFCF is happy to announce the following:
• Chicago Marathon Team raises over $50,000—with the generous matching grant provided by the Stephen and Caroline Kaufer Foundation, CFCF supporters will have raised over $100,000 for carcinoid and related NET research!
• A new Scientific Advisor from Stanford joins CFCF. http://www.caringforcarcinoid.org/bosa/boardofscientificadvisors.asp#Fisher
• New patient advisors will join CFCF’s Board of Patient Advisors. Please contact CFCF if you are interested in putting your head together with others to achieve a cure, raise awareness, and support patients. info@caringforcarcinoid.org or nancy.ohagan@caringforcarcinoid.org
• Jeanne and John Lambert’s Run for Hope in Fort Collins, CO was another huge success in August, 2007. Congratulations to Jeanne and the Lambert family! http://www.caringforcarcinoid.org/fundraising/runforhope.asp
• CFCF has a team running the Miami Marathon—we need runners, please join us!! http://www.caringforcarcinoid.org/fundraising/miamimarathon.asp
During this holiday season, I give thanks for our wonderful, unified carcinoid/NET community. Thank you to all members of our vibrant community. Happy Thanksgiving!
Together we will make it to the top of heartbreak hill and beyond!! Join us!!
