It is always people who make the difference. Whether it's a patient with the tenacity to keep fighting or a scientist whose life is dedicated to finding the cure, it couldn't happen without their courage and caring.
"I am incredibly excited about the work of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. Their research will change the face of cancer and free so many families suffering with this disease. My mother has very aggressive lung and bone cancer. Dr. Samuel Waxman not only helped to direct her course of treatment, but wholly redirected her energy for the positive, reviving her will to fight. The Foundation's scientific advances and the universal nature of their push for a cure through their "Institute Without Walls" provide very real, tangible hope. The more I learn from Dr. Waxman, the more clearly I see a future very soon in which cancer is relegated to a manageable illness and, in many cases, is cured altogether. I am forever indebted to the SWCRF, which needs all of our support to continue reprogramming the behavior of cancer cells in order to save our loved ones."
-- Zuzanna Szadkowski,
"Dorota" on the CW hit drama Gossip Girl
Lucille Montrony, Jane Stanczuk and Kathy Sarna, are also known as The Strohm Sisters. Between 1991 and 1994, all three Strohm sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer. Happily, all three are now cancer survivors.
"I had a doctor but my cousin told me about 'a great doctor'… and recommended I see him for a second opinion. At the same time, I also heard from another person about a doctor in the City who was 'the best there is.' Both of them were
talking about Dr. Waxman."
-- Kathy (Strohm) Sarna
"One reason was, Dr. Waxman was so involved in research, but he was also so compassionate and caring."
-- Lucille (Strohm) Montrony
Today, the Three Strohm Sisters Foundation supports the Waxman Foundation with their fundraising activities. They also help other women with breast cancer empower themselves by sharing their experiences, accompanying women on visits to doctors and supporting their needs.
Dr. Zelent is a team leader at the largest cancer center in Europe. He's been working to identify gene defects and testing compound substances that might trigger self-correction. Dr. Zelent's team discovered why the use of retinoic acid induces differentiation (self-correction) of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells.
"Once compounds are identified, it's a long way to the final stage. Our affiliation with the Waxman Foundation
has helped us…"
-- Dr. Arthur Zelent
Individuals with APL who were treated with retinoic acid experienced full remissions. Dr. Zeland believes that, in the future, melanoma cells are a promising possibility for this kind of treatment.
Dr. Mira-y-Lopez has made great strides in understanding the role of Vitamin A in the development of breast cancers. He works closely with Dr. Liliana Ossowski, citing that the camaraderie and mutual respect within their lab is one of the most enjoyable aspects of his day. His research currently focuses on how Vitamin A affects mammary cell growth. He says of some recent discoveries:
"These findings support the concept of using Vitamin A derivatives to prevent or delay tumors in women at
high risk of breast cancer."
-Dr. Rafael Mira-y-Lopez
Dr. Mira-y-Lopez believes that understanding how Vitamin A -- and its absence -- changes the behavior of the cell is the first step in developing a whole new approach to breast cancer treatment.
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