Beyond the Cure: New Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship Program
As more people live longer after their cancer diagnosis, it has become clear that they may face a host of other issues and illnesses because the toxic treatments needed to kill cancer can take a toll on normal cells and organs, too. These issues have given rise to a whole new area of medical study and specialization know as survivorship, which is the focus of the Masonic Cancer Center's new Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship Program, co-lead by Beth Virnig, Ph.D.

New clinics for pediatric and adult cancer survivors
Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota has established two long-term follow-up clinics to treat the special needs of cancer survivors.

Vigilantly ever after (Medical Bulletin, Minnesota Medical Foundation)
As they help more children conquer cancer, University physicians are also identifying and managing the spectrum of health challenges these survivors tend to encounter as adults.

Growing Up After Cancer
This guide to minimizing the late effects of childhood cancer and its treatment includes articles about late effects of childhood cancer and its treatment, who's at risk, what University of Minnesota researchers today are doing to prevent and minimize late effects, and why long-term follow-up care is important. The series includes the stories of four childhood cancer survivors who share how late effects are affecting—and not affecting—their lives.

Ensuring a future of better birthdays
On the day Jenny turned 9 years old, she was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a type of bone tumor. As part of her long-term follow-up care years later, an EKG detected early evidence of a heart problem that was likely caused by the chemotherapy she received. Today Jenny's physicians are managing the problem with medications.

For one survivor, recovering after childhood cancer treatment was both physical and emotional
The radiation and chemotherapy Ryan received for his brain tumor at age 12 may have caused some hearing loss in his left ear. And Ryan knows that his experience with cancer was the source of anger and depression for a couple of his teenage years. But today Ryan is finishing college and working as radio station DJ while he launches a media design business.

Dealing with late effects becomes a family's new routine
JonDean was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 2 years old. Even after being treated with radiation and chemotherapy, the blood cancer came back 17 months later. Finally a blood and marrow transplant—along with additional chemo and radiation—put his cancer into remission. Today the 14-year-old deals with a host of medical issues and significant learning difficulties as a result of his treatment, but he and his family refuse to feel sorry for themselves.

Survivor learns to take care of herself—and others through a career in oncology nursing
When she was a 10-year-old gymnast, Shari was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a type of bone tumor, in her hip. Today she is starting a career as an oncology nurse and dealing with decreased lung function as a result of the chemotherapy she received. She's also monitoring for other late effects that have been linked to her treatments.

An advocate for myeloma research and patient education
Karl Vollstedt learned that he had multiple myeloma about four years ago. To "get above" his diagnosis emotionally, he has focused his attention on educating himself and others about multiple myeloma and its management. He is also rallying people to the cause of myeloma research.

A classic survivor
"Feeling sorry for myself works well for about 15 minutes," says 40-year-old Kristi Kellogg of Crystal, Minn. That kind of grit and spunk has helped her survive three major bouts with cancer, raise three children, and work a full-time job as a trauma-neuro intensive care nurse.

'I'm living in faith, not fear'
Ann Connelly of St. Paul was diagnosed with colorectal cancer the first time in 2001. A year ago, she had a minor recurrence that was caught early and also successfully treated.

Melissa Wellman, survivor
In 1994, at age 15, Melissa Wellman felt excruciating pain behind her right knee. The pain became so intense that she was constantly in tears and couldn't walk. She was misdiagnosed twice. Finally, she was referred to Edward Cheng, M.D., professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Minnesota. "After that, it all happened very fast," she says.

Ruth Bachman, survivor
Ruth Bachman has a decidedly philosophical and upbeat approach to life. She believes in "not living the cancer life," but she does want to acknowledge the fact that she's an amputee and a cancer survivor. It's part of her life now, not something to mask or ignore.

Steve Wrench, survivor
As a 19-year-old in 1974, Steve Wrench was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor in his brainstem. Now he is treated at the University of Minnesota's Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic, and he supports research at the Masonic Cancer Center. "I feel a responsibility to contribute to cancer research to help future cancer patients," he says.

Leading a normal life
Dave Stahl of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., played a key role in a medical breakthrough on October 7, 1975: At age 16, he became the recipient of the world's first successful bone marrow transplant for Burkitt's lymphoma.

'I feel so lucky'
Donna Kuhlmann was diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. After two failed treatments, she was referred to the University of Minnesota where she participated in a clinical trial for an experimental vaccine conducted by a Cancer Center researcher.

Taking charge against cancer
Sue Grcevich quickly made the transition from the shock of a breast cancer diagnosis to focusing on the task of treatment, including taking part in a clinical trial.

'Here I am, running again'
Lee Foster knew something was wrong when he became unusually winded. An avid runner, Foster couldn't understand what was making him so tired. When his doctor ruled out anemia and other deficiencies, "I knew that something serious was going on," he says. Then the answer came: acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).