Nearly 300 UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center supporters gathered at the Carolina Inn to hear the remarks of distinguished UNC alumnus Lowry Caudill, PhD, on January 24, 2015 during the 28th Annual Lineberger Club Lunch and Basketball Game.
Caudill, chair of the UNC Board of Trustees and of the University’s Innovation Circle was also co-president and co-founder of Magellan Laboratories, Incorporated, a Research Triangle Park based pharmaceutical development company. He received a B.S. in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1979 and went on to earn a PhD in analytical chemistry from Indiana University in 1983. A true blue Tar Heel, Caudill has served the University he loves throughout his life as a leader, teacher, parent and ardent supporter.
When Caudill was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, he had the ability to go anywhere in the country for his care. He felt he had a duty to his wife Suzi and their three children to seek out the best treatment available. Using his years of experience as a scientist, he thoroughly researched his options and concluded that the best treatment in the country was available at UNC Lineberger with urologic oncologist Eric Wallen, MD.
Prostate cancer is a complex disease with a variety of treatment options. Wallen took the time to carefully explain and discuss the options with Caudill, and together they decided on the best course of treatment. In February 2010, Wallen performed a robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Caudill had no complications from the surgery and has been cancer free for five years.
Caudill credits his successful outcome to skilled and compassionate physicians and UNC Lineberger’s team approach to cancer care. Speaking of Wallen, Caudill said with emotion, “not only did he give me quality of life, he saved my life.”
Caudill also spoke movingly of the care received by his mother, Jacqueline Lowry Caudill, at UNC Lineberger when she was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma in 2011 at the age of 85. Speaking of her care team, which included radiation oncologist Joel Tepper, MD, and medical oncologist Juneko Grilley-Olson, MD, Caudill said the amazing care they provided gave his mother three years with a high quality of life before she passed away in December 2014 at the age of 88.
“You gave my mom to us for three more years,” he said. “Three years we didn’t think we would have, and what a gift that was.”
As chair of the Board of Trustees, Caudill has what he calls “the best seat in the house” to see all the great things that are happening at Carolina. He spoke with pride of the strides in translational research and its impact on the people of North Carolina noting that UNC Lineberger is leading that front. “As board chair and as an alum,” he said, “I am very proud of what we are doing here. As someone who has benefited personally from it, I am forever grateful.”
Each year, UNC Lineberger hosts the Lineberger Club Lunch and Basketball Game, inviting its most loyal and generous supporters. UNC Lineberger is grateful to Lee-Moore Capital Company, Dual Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning and Hardee’s for making the 28th annual event possible.