Cancer killed more than 580,000 of our friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members last year. More than 1 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with the disease annually, reports the American Cancer Society. Each of them, and their loved ones, have to hear the chilling words, It’s cancer. Researchers at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and
Washington University School of Medicine are determined to end the bad news. “Our goal is to find the most effective, least toxic treatments today—and to eliminate the threat of cancer entirely tomorrow,” says director Dr. Timothy Eberlein.
Siteman is an international leader in research and care for patients with all types of cancer. Each year nearly 8,000 newly diagnosed individuals and more than 30,000 follow-up patients benefit from the center’s groundbreaking work, as do patients around the world whose tests or treatments were discovered or developed there. It’s the only cancer center in Missouri designated a ‘Comprehensive Cancer Center’ by the National Cancer Institute.
Scientists and physicians affiliated with Siteman hold more than $160 million in research and related training grants. “We focus on innovative work that’s rapidly incorporated into lifesaving patient treatments,” Eberlein says. “Our ever-expanding knowledge of the human genome has opened doors to targeted, personalized drugs and treatment based on each individual’s genes. This is the future of cancer care, and we’re at the forefront.”
Last year Siteman researchers worked to improve treatments for breast, skin, pancreatic and colorectal cancers; outcomes for bone marrow transplant patients; and chemotherapy treatments for malignant brain tumors. Siteman patients have access to more than 250 cutting-edge clinical studies, many of them collaborative efforts with other leading cancer centers throughout the country. The center also provides outreach activities, including screenings and education, for tens of thousands of individuals annually. “But none of our work is possible without continued community support,” Eberlein says.
The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital presents its annual illumination Gala April 26 at The Ritz-Carlton. Special guest is actor/comedian Martin Short. Co-chairs are Joseph Stieven, CEO of Stieven Capital Advisors, and Danny Ludeman, former president and CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors. Both companies are presenting sponsors. Last year’s gala raised nearly $1.8 million for the Foundation’s Cancer Frontier Fund, created to help Siteman researchers accelerate the pace of scientific discovery.
“The illumination Gala celebrates the worldclass research and progress Siteman is making every day for cancer patients,” says Stieven, who serves on the foundation board. “I’m honored to shine a light on the advancements Siteman is making toward a brighter, more hopeful future by treating, preventing and ultimately curing cancer,” Ludeman says.
Research has resulted in higher survival rates for many cancers. “But to those of us at Siteman, and to anyone who has ever lost a loved one, cancer is still public enemy No. 1,” Eberlein says. “We won’t rest until we find a cure—and the illumination Gala brings us closer to that goal each year.”
By Tony Di Martino
Pictured: Martin Short
[The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital hosts illumination 14, a gala benefiting Siteman Cancer Center, April 26 at The Ritz-Carlton. Individual tickets start at $500; tables start at $5,000. For tickets or more information, call 314.286.0602 or visit illuminationgala.org.]
