Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota
Public and Patients
- About Us
- Cancer Information
- Clinical Trials
- Events & Outreach
- Make a Gift
- News & Feature Stories
- Survivorship
Researchers and Staff
August 19 , 2008
Update is sent to Masonic Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Please submit items to Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu, by noon the previous Friday.
In This Issue
Funding News and Opportunities
News
Kudos
Kudos to Julie Ross, Ph.D., Prevention and Etiology Program, and David Largaespada, Ph.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, whose symposium proposal was one of three selected for funding in the Phase 1 Minnesota Futures Grant Program competition sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research. The symposium, "Developmental Origins of Cancer," is tentatively scheduled for February 28, 2009, at the McNamara Alumni Center and will include a panel of external and internal speakers. Registration details will follow in a future Update. Phase 2 of the program will be a call for interdisciplinary research proposals that originate from the funded symposia; up to 3 awards of $250,000 each are planned.
Shared Resources announces acquisition of new biological irradiator
The Masonic Cancer Center Shared Resources now have an X-ray Irradiator, the X-RAD 320, available for small animal and cell irradiation. Visit the Web site for more information.
Giving to the U of M reached a new record for the second year in a row
For the second year in a row, donors gave a record amount in gifts and pledges to the University of Minnesota. The total committed in fiscal year (FY) 2008 was $289 million, an increase of $38 million, or 15 percent compared with the $251 million raised in FY 2007. This includes the gift of $65 million to the Masonic Cancer Center from the Minnesota Masonic Charities. Read more.
University announces parking alternatives during the State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair begins Thursday, August 21 and runs through Monday, September 1. During this time, traffic will increase, parking may be tight, and access routes into the St. Paul campus will be limited. Visit the Web site for more information.Education and Events
Hope Lodge Picnic
Wednesday, August 20, 2008, The Richard M. Schulze Family American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 2500 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis
Health care providers are invited to a Hope Lodge Picnic to visit with their patients, tour their free home-away-from home, and visit with other Twin Cities physicians, nurses, social workers and healthcare providers. RSVP to Mary or Joan at 612-379-6352.
Visit the Web site for more information on referrals to the Hope Lodge or call Mary Wiles, Hope Lodge Manager at 612-379-6352, mary.wiles@cancer.org.
Masonic Cancer Center and Center for Prostate Cancer at the State Fair
Monday, August 25, 2008, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., University of Minnesota Building, Dan Patch Avenue, State Fairgrounds
Masonic Cancer Center and Center for Prostate Cancer faculty, staff, and friends will provide information about cancer on Senior and Kids Day at the Minnesota State Fair. Visitors will be able to pick up educational materials, take a cancer quiz, and compare healthy tissue samples with tissues affected by cancer.
Norma K.C. Ramsay, M.D., Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship
Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 12:15-1:30 p.m., Moos Tower 2-690
The Quality of Survival after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Smita Bhatia, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Chair, Division of Population Sciences, Associate Director of population research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, Calif.
The third annual Norma K.C. Ramsay, M.D., Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship is sponsored by the Children's Cancer Research Fund.
Join Team U of M for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) PurpleRide
September 13, 2008, Elm Creek Regional Park
A strong University of Minnesota presence, including researchers, medical personnel, and Minnesota Medical Foundation staff is being organized for The Twin Cities Purple Ride. Contact Cathy Spicola, development officer in the Masonic Cancer Center, (612-625-5192, spico005@umn.edu) to join the team. Riders can choose from three distances: an 8-mile family ride, 25-mile river route, and 50-mile touring route. No matter which distance you choose, the event promises to be a good time for everyone. If you can't make the ride, you can register as a virtual rider and fundraise using the online tools. Those who don't want to ride can be a volunteer on the day of the event by e-mailing Marilynn Tuchfarber. Visit the Web site for more information.
Silent No More 5K Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer
Saturday, September 13, 2008, Rosland Park, Edina
The Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA) Silent No More 5K Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer raises funds for ovarian cancer research, education, and support for women with ovarian cancer and their families. In just eight years, MOCA has awarded more than $2 million for ovarian cancer research in Minnesota, thanks in large part to the success of the Silent No More event. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; a survivor photo will be taken at 8:30 a.m.; 5K run begins at 9 a.m.; 2K walk begins at 9:30 a.m.; and a Kids Fun Run begins at 10 a.m. For more information or to register, call 612-822-0500 or visit the Web site.
Cannon Valley Cancer Ride
Saturday, September 20, 2008, Riverside Park, Cannon Falls, Minn.
The Cannon Valley Cancer Ride is a fun, family-oriented 20-mile bike ride on the scenic Cannon Valley Trail. The event is organized by Red Wing Masonic Lodge and Cannon Falls Oriental Lodge to raise money for the Partners for Life Campaign, which was established by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota to help raise funds for the Masonic Cancer Center. Through the help of Minnesota Masonic Charities, every dollar raised from the Cannon Valley Cancer Ride will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
The ride starts in Riverside Park in Cannon Falls and goes to Welch and back. The registration fee is $35 for riders 12 and older and $20 for riders under 12, and includes lunch and a t-shirt. Same-day registration is $30 for riders 12 and older and $15 for riders under 12, and includes lunch, but no t-shirt. Registration and t-shirt handout will start at 8 a.m.; the ride will start at 9 a.m. Visit the Web site for more information and a registration form.
Developmental Biology Center/Lillehei Heart Institute Symposium
Tubes, Branches and Pumps in Development
September 24-25, 2008, McNamara Alumni Center, A.I. Johnson Great Room
Registration is now open for the Developmental Biology Center/Lillehei Heart Institute Symposium. The first 25 graduate students who register and are presenting a poster at the symposium will have their registration and banquet fees waived. All registrants are welcome to present a poster. Visit the Web site for more information and to register.
Hormel Institute Symposium "Frontiers in Cancer Research" and the 8th International Skin Carcinogenesis Conference
October 4-7, 2008, Austin, MN
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota is hosting a three-day conference in Austin, Minn., as part of the grand opening to celebrate its major expansion. The goal of this joint conference is to provide a scientifically driven symposium involving didactic sessions and facilitating discussions regarding molecular and cellular targets of cancer causation and prevention, and to provide a forum for exchange of the most recent and relevant information on the biological, cellular, and molecular changes that occur during tumor development. Newer technologies such as computer modeling of protein/protein interactions and small-molecular/protein interactions will also be highlighted, and a substantial translational focus will be included. Conference chairs are Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr. P.H., Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program member and executive director of The Hormel Institute, and Susan M. Fischer, Ph.D., professor, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas. Masonic Cancer Center Director Douglas Yee, M.D., and Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program Leader Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., are presenters at the conference. Visit the Hormel Institute Web site for more information and to register.
Funding News and Opportunities
Pilot Activity Funds
Cancer Research Network
Deadlines: Abstracts due September 15, 2008; Full proposals due October 20, 2008
The Cancer Research Network (CRN) invites the submission of proposals for pilot activities that address issues relevant to enhancing research on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, long-term care and post-diagnosis monitoring in the context of health care delivery systems. The Masonic Cancer Center has established a formal affiliation with the CRN through HealthPartners. Members are eligible to apply for funds as long as a CRN co-investigator can be identified. Contact DeeAnn Lazovich, 6120626-9099, lazov001@umn.edu or Cheri Rolnick
cheri.rolnick@HealthPartners.com, for assistance with identifying a co-investigator. For application information, click here. (pdf).
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant applications are being accepted until October 6, 2008. This grant is for assistant professors who have no independent national funding and are engaged in cancer-related research. Cancer-related research includes genetic mechanisms of cancer, molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis, development of novel cancer therapeutic models and translational research, cancer immunology and immunotherapy.
Funding is available up to $30,000. Applications may be obtained by contacting LeeAnn Micek, 612-626-1926, micek003@umn.edu.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.