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Yearly Archives: 2011

September 14, 2011

UNC scientist to study post-mastectomy breast reconstruction surgery decision making

Chapel Hill - Deciding whether or not to have breast reconstruction after mastectomy is highly challenging for many patients. Clara Lee, MD, MPP, a UNC School of Medicine physician/scientist, has received a five-year grant award to examine patients’ decision-making process about reconstruction and the effects of reconstruction on quality of life and body image. The $862,700.00 career development award to the plastic and reconstructive surgeon is from the National Institutes of Health.

September 13, 2011

Peer Connect Program trains survivors to “guide” patients and fellow survivors

Peer Connect provides training for cancer survivors who wish to "give back" by talking with or being a buddy to another patient or survivor. Peer Connect meets a need for more formalized training for the "guides" or peer counselors by teaching effective communication skills and strategies based on Motivational Interviewing (MI), which focuses on listening and meeting the needs of the recipient rather than giving advice or telling people what to do.

September 13, 2011

Lawrence Marks, MD, appointed Dr. Sidney K. Simon Distinguished Professor of Oncology Research

Chapel Hill, NC – Lawrence B. Marks, MD, chairman of the UNC Department of Radiation Oncology, has been appointed the Dr. Sidney K. Simon Distinguished Professor of Oncology Research at UNC-Chapel Hill. The professorship, established by a $500K gift from Wally (class of ’66) and Lil Loewenbaum of Austin, Texas, is named in honor of Mr. Loewenbaum’s grandfather, Dr. Sidney K. Simon.

September 7, 2011

Grants to fund research into improving bone marrow transplant complications, outcomes

Chapel Hill, NC – Stefanie Sarantopoulos, MD, PhD, was recruited to UNC in 2009 with the help of the University Cancer Research Fund. Now she is a recipient of two grants that have helped establish her own laboratory to look into the causes of chronic Graft vs. Host Disease. Sarantopoulos is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and Microbiology and Immunology and a member of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

September 2, 2011

$100,000 grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels to fund childhood sarcoma research

Hyundai Hope on Wheels and Raleigh-Durham Area Hyundai Dealers today awarded Ian Davis, MD, PhD, a $100,000 grant to support research into the causes of and treatments for pediatric sarcoma. Davis, assistant professor of pediatrics and genetics and a member of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of 71 recipients of Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ 2011 Hope Grant program, where $7.1 million will be awarded to support research and programs in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

August 31, 2011

Cancer Conversations: a community monthly educational series for cancer patients and families

The UNC Comprehensive Cancer Support Program is sponsoring a monthly community educational series called “Cancer Conversations.” Featuring UNC physicians and others, the series is a time intended to help people learn from and talk with cancer experts. The sessions will be held the third Tuesday of each month from 7:00 – 8:30 pm: September 20, October 18, November 15 (no session in December).

August 30, 2011

St. Baldrick’s Foundation announces $330,000 grant to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. It takes life-saving research to Conquer Kids’ Cancer! The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, has awarded a $330,000 St. Baldrick’s Scholar award to Timothy Gershon, MD, PhD, and assistant professor of neurology at the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

August 30, 2011

UNC study shows potential for nanotechnology-based therapy for ovarian cancer

Chapel Hill - A UNC-led study has shown the potential for nanotechnology therapy for ovarian cancer. Scientists at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Duke University Medical Center conducted a preclinical study using nanoparticle technology to deliver doses of chemo- and radiotherapy that specifically targeted metastasized ovarian cancer cells, eradicating the cancer and lessening the toxicities often associated with the treatment.