SU2C at the AACR 100th Annual Meeting
My colleagues Noreen Fraser and Sue Schwartz and I had the privilege of representing Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) at the American Association for Cancer Research's (AACR) 100th annual meeting, which was an awe-inspiring experience. Scientific breakthroughs are being made right now that will propel us into a new era in the fight against this disease, and there was palpable energy and excitement among the 17,000 members of the cancer research community gathered in Denver for the meeting. Here's my best layperson's shot at describing some of what I saw and heard there.
As the conference began, several scientists who were being honored spoke. Their accents spanned the globe; their ages, at least a few decades; and their distinctive personal stories ranged from a cancer researcher who is himself a cancer survivor, to a young female investigator -- with a litany of discoveries to her credit -- who is also the mother of four-year-old triplets. The projects run the gamut of cancer research, but all are making significant contributions to the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of the disease. Some were extremely complex, and others readily understandable to a person with no science training. (In the latter category, I was fascinated to hear that a substance produced in the roots of a germinating "curcubita pepo L" -- known to you and me as a common zucchini -- has significant potential for the development of a pharmacologic agent to prevent certain types of cancer.) Three things were reiterated by each scientist recognized: an incredible commitment to stopping cancer in its tracks, compassion for the patients who suffer with it, and profound gratitude for their families' understanding about long hours spent in the lab.
The site of the plenary session, deep within the Mile High City's Convention Center, could have held a few football fields. Looking out over the sea of faces, I was struck by the massive amount of brainpower gathered in that single room . . . you could almost imagine little signs with really high IQ numbers hovering over each person's head! ALL of that brainpower is dedicated to ending cancer, and its potential is enormous. Though the space was huge, it felt bursting with possibility.
While getting to be a "fly on the wall" at this meeting, I thought a lot about the principles on which Stand Up To Cancer is based. Scientists need more money for research, and the type of multi-institutional collaboration SU2C will fund clearly spurs efficiency and innovation. The entertainment industry is uniquely positioned to help catch the public's attention, and our efforts -- to convey how hopeful thing are in cancer research right now and communicate that everyone can help scientists accelerate the pace at which their work produces tangible benefits for patients -- are ongoing.
SU2C actually received an award for that at the conference, but the real heroes (as you may have just heard Katie Couric say in the video) are the scientists, AND all of you who are doing whatever you can to contribute to research. Significant SU2C Dream Team grants will be awarded this spring, and we are profoundly grateful for your support. AACR's distinguished public service award is rightfully shared with everyone who has been a part of Stand Up To Cancer in its first year. Thank you!
Kathleen Lobb, Member, Stand Up To Cancer Executive Leadership Committee
P.S. If you are interested in more information about AACR's 100th meeting, please visit: http://www.aacr.org/home/scientists/meetings--workshops/aacr-100th-annual-meeting-2009.aspx
Posted by getBEETER | May 14, 2010 11:21 AM
WOW!!! What an amazing story. I will reach out to the Center. Thank you for sharing this with us Melody. I think this was my favorite line of your story, "He called our win "a miracle" That's nice but the truth is: We worked really hard for that "miracle.""