Wilmot Cancer Institute

It goes without saying that 2020 was not an easy year, but some good things did happen. Over the next five days, we'll reflect by resharing five of our top posts from 2020. Our first good news story from 2020 is related to a research grant: Dr. David Linehan received $1.5 million to conduct an early-phase clinical trial combining immunotherapy with other drugs to treat patients who have pancreatic tumors that cannot be removed. #URochesterResearch Read the story from June here:

We need to give. The world is a better place for it. That's what Bob Coombs says when it comes to the reason why he participated in a clinical trial for a potential new treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3riGeSh

Lou Iovoli appeared on Second Opinion with Joan Lunden a few years ago to talk about his cancer diagnosis and treatment. That was 10 years after his diagnosis Today he continues to do well, and he credits multiple factors, including continuing to live a healthy life mentally and physically. "The way you live your life after going through treatment is important," he says. ... We're so glad to see you continue to do well, Lou! See the video below for his follow-up segment with Second Opinion:

Happy holidays from Wilmot Cancer Institute!

Congrats to Kathy Engdahl, RN! She has been a nurse in our Blood & Marrow Transplant unit for 26 years, and at URMC for 36 years, but today, she has "officially left the building" for retirement! Her co-workers celebrated her with cakes, recognition and notes of thanks. Thank you for your dedication and we wish you all the best in retirement, Kathy!

Hello and happy holidays from Aurora, Emi and Quincy! They normally (pre-COVID) visit Pluta Cancer Center for Pet Therapy "Fursdays" but they miss us, as much as we miss them! So they sent us a note to say hello, to let us know they're being good and watching for "Santa Paws". We wanted to pass their photo and message along and hope it brings a smile to you today!

Santa and Mrs. Claus "dropped by" the hospital today to share some gifts for Strong Memorial Hospital staff. How nice!

If you're feeling stressed and anxious right now, UR Medicine Therapist Melissa Nunes-Harwitt suggests trying this technique to ease your racing mind and provide relief. Learn more: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu//5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique

The -80C freezers are in place and UR Medicine is ready to begin vaccinating healthcare workers as soon as next week. URMC Pharmacy director Dr. Curtis Haas explains how these ultracold freezers meet the special storage requirements for the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.

Wilmot patient care staff are beginning to get the COVID-19 vaccination. WCC5 Nurse Manager Amy Davey got hers today and she shared the excitement of what this means to her: I want to see my family! she says, adding, The vaccine is the only thing that’s going to get us to a better 2021. Read more about the vaccine roll out at UR Medicine: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu//ur-medicine-delivers-covid ... #URVaccinated See more

Our own Dr. Carla Falkson and Carol Lustig, along with UR Medicine's Dr. Avice O'Connell talked with Evan Dawson on Connections last week. From genetic testing to breast cancer screening advice to clinical trials - they talked about so much and you can listen here:

So far the score is Bonnie 2 / BRCA 0. After visiting Wilmot’s Hereditary Cancer Risk Reduction Clinic last year, Bonnie Smorol found out she has a BRCA genetic mutation. This puts her at a higher risk of breast cancer, and other cancers, compared to the general population. But with guidance and support from her team at Wilmot, she’s taken steps in the last year to reduce her chances of cancer. Last Halloween, she had a preventive mastectomy and in May this year, she had ...a hysterectomy with ovary removal, to greatly reduce her chances of getting ovarian cancer, another cancer tied with the BRCA mutation. In May, she also retired from a 40-year career as a nurse. After her hysterectomy, she went camping to celebrate, where she and other campers painted rocks and wooden jewelry to keep busy. Getting out in nature was a life saver for me during recovery. Food for the soul, she says. In retirement, she plans to keep camping, hiking and breathing in the fresh air, spending time with her grandkids seen here hugging them through a when she can, and dreaming about traveling someday in the future. But a shirt she wore while camping reminds her to stay positive in the moment. It says: Good things will happen today! Learn more about Bonnie’s story: https://bit.ly/2FU48kd

Knowing your tissue type is important for breast cancer screenings. Learn more about whether mammography or adding ultrasound is best for you: https://bit.ly/3gvW9aG

Steve Atterbury, known even in a mask by his trademark Hawaiian shirts, has been a long-time volunteer in the infusion center at our Pluta Cancer Center. He's retiring this week, and we wish him all the best! Thank you, Steve, for your many years of kindness and compassion! #ThankfulThursday Pluta Cancer Center Foundation

This project represents a huge success, says Laura Calvi, M.D. To hand off a concept to a clinical team that can run a study it’s really, really difficult, but we’ve done it. Read how work she did in the laboratory moved into clinical trials that may help some patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. #URochesterResearch

Of the 11 cancer drugs the FDA approved this year, roughly half are precision medicine treatments. These treatments are specific to a patient's type of cancer - but they aren't possible without the clinical trials, and the volunteers who have participated in the trials. We're proud not only to offer these treatments once they become standard of care, but also to provide many through clinical trials. It benefits our patients in many cases, but also helps move cancer treatment forward nationally. Dr. Aram Hezel talked with the RBJ about precision medicine and clinical trials: https://rbj.net//precision-medicine-revolutionizing-treat/

Today we're giving a big #ThankfulThursday shout out to Denise Wesley, her daughters, Skylar and Mackenzie, and Be uninTIMidated! They hosted their annual Casino Night event back in January and raised $40,000, which they donated to Wilmot to support cancer research and Wilmot's efforts toward NCI designation. We're so grateful for their support!

For Chaundra Badeau, it's been a particularly tough year. She lost her sibling and faced a breast cancer diagnosis. But she inspires us by persevering through the hardships.

Dr. Jonathan Friedberg, Wilmot Director and a leading lymphoma researcher, joined Michael Schwartz from 13 WHAM ABC today to talk about blood cancers and the importance of research, in light of this weekend’s virtual Light the Night event. The event is hosted by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which has supported blood cancer research at Wilmot in many ways over the years.

Research leads to improved cancer treatments - but not without community support. We need your help to find better treatments and even potential cures. On #GivingTuesday, will you #ROCtheDay with us? Learn more and give here: https://www.roctheday.org/Causes-to/Wilmot-Cancer-Institute

If you are due for your routine mammogram, or if you experience a symptom like a lump, don't wait! Finding breast cancer early can make it easier to treat. Our UR Medicine Breast Imaging offices are taking extra steps to ensure women can safely get the screening they need. Make your appointment today: https://bit.ly/2FNUPCo

Today marks the first day of #NationalPharmacyWeek and we had to take a moment to give our wonderful Pharmacy team a shout out! From chemo to immunotherapy to monoclonal antibodies - if you've had an IV or oral treatment at Wilmot Cancer Center, this team has probably had a hand in helping bring it to you. We're grateful for everything they do to help our patients and their cancer center colleagues!

I actually just love my life so much more." Mere weeks before her second child was born and a global pandemic descended on Rochester, Colleen Molina found out she had breast cancer. But with support from many, she turned an overwhelming circumstance into renewed appreciation. Read her inspiring story: https://bit.ly/37c9YIQ

Today we give a big #ThankfulThursday shout out to one of our own: Renata Lizak, RN! She is a nurse on WCC6 who again this year held an event called Match to Marrow. It raised $3,000 this year to support the patients on WCC6. Thank you for your commitment to patients, Renata!

Daryl Moorehead joined our #coronavirus vaccine study to ensure diversity in this important research. See how you can support #URochesterResearch to help bring an end to the pandemic: covidresearch.urmc.edu. #DoYourPart

Happy Thanksgiving! Despite the hardship this year has brought, we still have much to be grateful for. In fact, sometimes hard times illuminate what matters most. Our Gynecologic Oncology team invited patients to express what they're grateful for, and we're sharing some of their ideas here. What are you most grateful for?

This news is particularly relevant for cancer patients: Patients will now have access to test results and visit notes in MyChart at the same time as doctors. If you have questions or concerns, please talk with your oncology team.

Even during a pandemic, getting your routine screening remains important. Dr. Michelle Shayne talked with Josh Navarro from News 8 WROC Rochester about what patients should know during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, amid COVID-19.

Thanks to Wilmot scientists like Patrick Murphy, Ph.D, we have a better understanding of how epigenetics relates to cancer -- and how to prevent the disease in the future. https://fal.cn/3aOkS

Due to the recent surge in coronavirus cases and New York state policies, Wilmot Cancer Institute is restricting visitors for patients hospitalized. We thank you for understanding and urge you to stay safe during this difficult holiday season. Learn more: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/co/visitor-restrictions.aspx