Message from Lisa Switzer, M.A. |
The Dalai Lama once said “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” In a world struggling with so much anguish, feeling love and having compassion can be a real challenge. At Western States Cancer Research NCORP (WSCR-NCORP), we keep compassion front and center in our work and in our organizational culture. Our new tagline says it all: WSCR-NCORP…where cancer research meets compassion.” Yes, the work we do is about research, but it is about research that affects human beings and their quality of life when they are battling with cancer.
Our staff remains committed to working with physicians and their patients to have the broadest array of treatment options available when they begin their cancer journey together. We are still working remotely and following all the state and federal safety precautions for the health and well-being of our staff and our patients. While being a dispersed team is challenging, we are still a team and have been intentional in promoting activities with our staff that allow them to “play” and interact with each other remotely. This month, we are going on a trip! Virtual, of course. We are going on safari with a live guide to Beyond Ngala and Phinda Private Game Reserves, Djuma Private Game Reserve, Tswalu and Karongwe (Pridelands) Game Reserve – all from the privacy and safety of our own homes.
As we move into spring, if the pandemic remains under control and more and more people receive the vaccine, we hope to host our annual spring fundraising event “Ribbons and Roses” on Friday, May 7th at the Lamar Center in Arvada. Did you know there is a ribbon for every cancer type (like the pink one for breast cancer) or that there is a “Compassion Rose?” The evening event is a celebration of our commitment to joining compassion with cancer research. We plan to gather to enjoy good food, libations, music, and an online auction while we recognize our dedicated staff, Board of Trustees and physician partners who bring hope to cancer patients across the West.
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Physician Spotlight: Hematologist-Oncologist Dr. Jeffrey Matous, MD
by WSCR Staff Member, Laura Gabbay
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What role as a hematologist-oncologist do you play in any given cancer research clinical trial?
This March it will be 27 years since I returned to Denver after my fellowship training at the University of Washington. At that time, I was a part of the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC) team. Later in 2020, the hematology and transplant practices separated to create the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (CBCI) where I see patients today.
My role in a cancer clinical trial is to always let my patients who might be eligible to enroll in a study know about the various clinical trials that are open. Clinical trials offer the most innovative, effective and up-to-date treatment options for a cancer patient. The first thing I think about when I care for a patient with a cancer diagnosis is: do I have a clinical trial that is appropriate for this patient? The effort is well worth it because anything we, as physicians can do, to provide access to clinical trials and studies is vital.
What advice would you have for other physicians interested in pursuing cancer research opportunities at the local level?
Given that the types of studies offered by NCORPs like Western States Cancer Research NCORP are National Cancer Institute (NCI) studies, conceived and put out by the finest physicians and researchers in the country, it is imperative for physicians to consider the opportunity.
Every time a patient is at a treatment crossroads, either diagnosis or when changing treatments, physicians would learn that NCI clinical trials offer the most cutting-edge treatment options and latest advances in science for their patients.
If a physician does not take interest or explore cancer research opportunities at the local level, s/he is missing something. S/he may be missing an important opportunity to improve the care of her/his patient.
What lies ahead for cancer research in 2021?
In 2020, there was a marked, intentional decrease in accruals by physicians to cancer studies and clinical trials, as we figured out how best to contend with COVID-19.
I am glad to report that with the lessons we have learned since last March, we are full-steam head once again with our patients to enroll them in the trials that might help them.
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From My Point of View
"Benefitting from New Cancer Treatments Developed in Trials"
by Board Trustee Debbie Markham
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After attending a Western States Cancer Research NCORP’s patient outreach event in 2017, I started volunteering on their Community Engagement Committee. This progressed to becoming a Board Trustee in October 2019, as cancer research is very near and dear to me. The very next month, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. I learned during my first round of treatment seven years ago the importance of clinical trials. Now I'm benefitting from new chemo drugs that were approved as a result of recent clinical trials.
We need to support cancer research for the ongoing hope of more cancer treatments and cures. Western States Cancer Research NCORP's work goes far beyond just research and clinical trials. We are helping to educate communities about cancer, raising awareness about cutting edge treatment options available, and even helping support caregivers and families.
I'm grateful for every new day and being able to participate in all my beloved, outdoor activities. As an avid mountaineer and climber, I speak about my cancer journey as climbing and summiting my own Mts. Hope and Conquer.
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Pictured (from top to bottom above) are 2 photos of Citywide Banks' employees volunteering, along with a picture of WSCR-NCORP Board Trustee Garret Ireland with his adorable dog, Winston, last Halloween |
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Community Partner Spotlight: Citywide Banks |
Citywide Banks has been a profound leader in corporate philanthropy across Colorado, supporting mental health wellness, education, economic development, and other local causes. Everyone at Citywide Banks lives and works here in Colorado. They have developed deep roots with their partners, and this is their community too.
For more than 50 years, Citywide Banks’ leadership and employee team have been an active supporter of hundreds of nonprofit causes. Giving back to their community is one of their core values, and that is why Citywide Banks is proud to support the Western States Cancer Research organization. Their team continues to be highly engaged through nonprofit board involvement, employee volunteering, and financial support for hundreds of local causes each year. In 2020, the bank’s outreach highlights included $100,000 to COVID-19 relief efforts such as emergency meals, medical supplies, and small business relief. In addition, Citywide Banks was pleased to direct $20,000 to help support the Denver Public School system navigate through remote learning and returning to classrooms during the COVID-19 crisis. Citywide Banks proudly believes in its mission of enriching lives one customer, employee and community at a time.
Our sincere thanks to Citywide Banks both for its generous past philanthropic support of Western States Cancer Research NCORP in 2019, as well as introducing us to a truly valued member of our Board of Trustees, Garret Ireland. To learn more about the community outreach commitment of Citywide Banks, please visit https://www.citywidebanks.com/community-outreach
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Program Spotlight: New Study Database for Physicians |
Taking to heart how essential it is that we continue to strive for excellence in our use of technology, during 2020, we launched a searchable Study Database on our website.
This new Study Database allows physicians and clinical staff to now navigate and search for WSCR-NCORP studies and offers physicians access to a robust trial menu that investigates agents through more than 70+ trials currently. It is our hope that physicians in the states in which we are the site manager for clinical trials will use this tool to locate studies for which their own patients might be eligible. The page is located at https://westernstatesncorp.org/physicians/study-database-for-physicians/
Physicians, often the key trusted messengers in conversations with their patients about clinical trials, can see which of our more than 70 open clinical trials are open to accrual (new enrollments). Of note as well, providers can search by specific cancer diagnoses, such as breast cancer, urinary bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, and other forms of cancer.
Part of our motivation in developing and offering this Study Database on our website aligns with our vision which is the marriage of clinical research and compassion through the progress we help affect through community oncology research. Not only do we provide clinical support for cancer trials and studies, we also reach out to physicians, and patients and their families in our local communities to play our part in better outcomes for people fighting cancer today.
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