American Cancer Society Volunteers Learn Of Cancer Research Efforts In Kentucky At Research Day Event
A group from the Louisville area, including volunteers John Huggins, Sr. Rita Jarrell, Robin Miller, Ann Mudge and Shannon Wilbert, took part in the American Cancer Society’s Research Day. The event included presentations on research efforts funded through the American Cancer Society, as well as information on specific cancer research underway in Kentucky. Research Day guests also toured the University of Louisville Clinical and Translational Research facility and spoke with American Cancer Society grantees about their research work.
Researchers who participated in the event included:
· Jun Yan, MD, PhD, who is working on research to develop a novel tumor vaccine to boost the immune system to attack cancer cells and also prevent micro-metastasis and recurrence for breast cancer patients who have already received treatment.
· Sucheta Telang, MBBS, whose research has found an enzyme that may be needed by lung cancer cells to grow rapidly with the goal to develop drugs to inhibit the particular enzyme.
· Stanley L. Ridner, Phd, who is examining the impact of smoke-free laws on tobacco marketing among college students.
· Tara J. Schapmire, MSSW, whose doctoral training grant in oncology social work aims to study emotional distress in older cancer patients.
The American Cancer Society is the nation’s leading private funder of cancer research and awards more than $110 million in research grants annually to help find cures for cancer. As of July 1, 2010, the American Cancer Society is funding 12 grants in Kentucky, totalling $3.39 million, toward research at the University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and Hospice of the Bluegrass.
The American Cancer Society funds and conducts groundbreaking research that helps scientists understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it. Since it began funding research in 1946, the American Cancer Society has devoted nearly $3.5 billion to research and has played a role in many major cancer breakthroughs, including chemotherapy, Pap tests and mammography.
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