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A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF CITY OF HOPE I VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 WINTER 2008

CityNews

BRINGING AN

END TO DIABETES$20 million gift fromLeslie and Susan Gonda

(Goldschmied) Foundation

expands diabetes research

at City of Hope

Lester M. and IreneC. Finkelstein Chair in Biologygets at the roots of cancer

Targeting aggressiveprostate cancer

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Combating a growing epidemic: diabetesThere was a time when tonsillitis, ear

infections and broken arms were the bane of

childhood. Now the list of pediatric health woes

all too often includes diabetes. Nearly 177,000

children and teens in the United States among

20.8 million Americans in all have diabetes,

according to the American Diabetes Association.

Of concern, those numbers are growing.

Diabetes is much more than an inconvenience. Regular blood

sugar monitoring, medications, healthier eating and exercise are

part of the prescription and the costs of inattention are deadly.

Not only does diabetes lead to complications such as nerve andvision problems and heart and kidney disease, but it also ranks sixth

among causes of death in the United States.

With the need so great and so little time to waste, the Leslie and

Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Foundation is helping City of Hope fight

the epidemic. It recently donated $20 million to expand the home

of City of Hopes diabetes brain trust: the Leslie & Susan Gonda

(Goldschmied) Diabetes & Genetic Research Center.

The expansion, described in this issue of City News, expands

valuable laboratory space for researchers delving into the mysteries

of metabolic disease. These scientists have a lofty legacy: In past

decades, City of Hope scientists laid building blocks for the modern

understanding and treatment of diabetes.

Today, City of Hope researchers are studying whether pancreaticcells from donors or even new cells derived from stem cells can

end dependence on insulin injections. Still others are investigating

the potential of a form of bone marrow transplantation to reverse

type 1 diabetes. Related work by basic scientists often leads to

discoveries beyond diabetes, touching on mechanisms behind

cancer, heart disease and other diseases.

As we begin 2008, these researchers are relishing anew the

chance to make a difference. We thank you for making a difference

by supporting City of Hope.

Michael A. Friedman, M.D.President and Chief Executive Officer

Dedicated supporters provide a needed lifelineIn a reaffirmation of City of Hopes

commitment to furthering innovative research

and providing excellent, compassionate patient

care, construction began in December on the

Michael Amini Transfusion Medicine Center.

Destined to impact many lives, it is fitting that

this building, which provides the lifeblood of

City of Hope, will be the first structure many people will encounter

as they enter the campus.

Transfusion medicine, and the research associated with it,

represents a fundamental component of cancer care. Each year,

City of Hopes cancer patients rely on more than 30,000 units ofdonated blood and platelets during their treatment. Frequent

transfusions of donated blood components become their lifeline

until they can adequately produce their own blood cells and

platelets. As City of Hope treats a growing number of patients,

the Amini Center will play a pivotal role in saving even more lives

and improving treatments by providing new space and innovative

facilities for these vital activities.

The centers leading patrons Michael Amini, a stalwart

advocate of the institution through the National Home Furnishings

Industry, and Steven Hilton, president and chief executive officer

of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation each have been touched by

cancer, so their motivation to provide support is very personal. I share

their inspiration for furthering the scientific progress at City of Hope.As City of Hope strengthens its leading role in cancer care and

research by expanding key programs and facilities and fulfilling its

strategic plan, the need for such generous philanthropy will accelerate.

Donors and supporters have fostered City of Hopes growth

and development since its inception. I know we can count on you

as we move forward in strengthening the campus infrastructure

in coming years.

Terry R. PeetsChair, City of Hope Board of Directors

CITY NEWS WINTER 2008

City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research,

treatment and educational institution, is dedicated

to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-

threatening diseases, guided by a compassionate

patient-centered philosophy, and supported by a

national foundation of humanitarian philanthropy.

City of Hope

Leadership Messages

City News is publishedquarterly for donors,volunteers and friendsof City of Hope.

BRENDA MACEOSenior VicePresident,Communications

KEVIN KOGAVice President,Communications

FRAN RIZZI

Senior Director,Communications

STEVE KIRK

Editor

ALICIA Di RADOStory Editor

KIM HOSOZAWAAssociate Director,

Creative Services

LAURIE BELLMANALICIA Di RADOCARMEN R. GONZALEZJENNIFER HEALYANDY ISHIIELISE LAMARH. CHUNG SOWriters

RICK AMAYADesigner

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CityNews

6 Halting the progressionof prostate cancer

Researchers seek to outfox the

most common cancer in men.

8 ForeveryoungHow do stem cells

maintain their

age-defying,rejuvenating

properties? A

protein called TLX

may hold the secret.

10 A stepped-upattack on acancer that is hard toswallow

A three-pronged approach to

combating esophageal cancer

which is exceptionally difficult

to cure offers renewed hope.

12 New life bloodfor City of HopeA generous gift from longtime

supporter

Michael

Amini

provides

improved

access

to blood products cancer patients

need to fight their disease.

2$20 million gift advances crucial diabetes researchSupport from the Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Foundation helps City of Hope further

its remarkable legacy of discovery in diabetes by funding the construction of an expansion to the

couples namesake center on campus.

A Q U A R T E R L Y P U B L I C A T I O N O F C I T Y O F H O P E I V O L U M E 1 9 N U M B E R 1 W I N T E R 2 0 0 8

13

ChaptersNational awareness

of City of Hope

continues

to grow.

17

Lester M. andIrene C. FinkelsteinChair in Biologypromotes basic studies

into the very origins of

cancer.

18

AmericasTop Doctors forCancerMore City of Hope

physicians make the

grade.

28 TopfundraisingcampaignsA look back

at the notable

events of 2007.


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THE SWEETSCIENCE$20 MILLION GIFT BOLSTERS FIGHT AGAINST DIABETES

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By Jennifer Healy

Diabetes is a disease that steals.

It can rob eyesight; it amputates legs. It takes away grandmothers, sons

and fathers. The disease does this at an alarming rate, growing rapidly

across the world, even among children. Challenges are real, and they

are seen in doctors clinics, where patients are diagnosed every day.

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Key to stopping this

trend are those who are

supporting critical advances

against the disease. The

Leslie and Susan Gonda

(Goldschmied) Foundation

has provided a $20 million

gift to support construction

of an expansion of the

41,000-square-foot Leslie & Susan Gonda

(Goldschmied) Diabetes & Genetic Research

Center, which houses City of Hopes

comprehensive diabetes research and

treatment programs. The new, four-story

addition will house areas for programs that

integrate research into diabetes, metabolic

disease and other related conditions.

City of Hope has played a seminal

role in the research and treatment of

diabetes, a disease that affects millions

of Americans, said Michael A. Friedman,

M.D., president and chief executive officer

of City of Hope. This visionary gift from

the Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied)

Foundation will accelerate City of Hopes

efforts to advance diabetes treatment

through innovative clinical and basic science

research and explore promising scientific

approaches that could potentially lead to

a cure.

About 20.8 million

children and adults in the

United States, or 7 percent of

the population, have diabetes,

according to the American

Diabetes Association. While

about 14.6 million of those

have been diagnosed, another

6.2 million people are unaware that they

have the disease.

We are deeply grateful to the Leslie

and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied)

Foundation for its generous and long-

standing support of the diabetes program

at City of Hope, said Fouad R. Kandeel,

M.D., Ph.D., director of the Department

of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism

at City of Hope. Establishment of the islet

transplant program would not have been

possible without the initial support

provided by Leslie and Susan Gonda.

This most recent contribution from

the Gonda (Goldschmied) Foundation

will provide a critical clean-room facility

and laboratory space needed to speed the

translation of islet and stem cell research

advances from the lab to the patient, he

added. This gift is certain to have a signifi-

cant impact on the future of diabetes care.

City of Hope scientists have made

profound strides in diabetes research and

treatment. In the 1940s, the late Rachmiel

Levine, Ph.D., described insulins role in

stimulating the movement of glucose into

cells and discovered that type 2 diabetes

is related to a defect in this mechanism, a

condition called insulin resistance. In the

late 1960s, Samuel Rahbar, Ph.D., recog-

nized the usefulness of

hemoglobin-A1c

measurement as a marker

for blood glucose control

in those with diabetes.

In 1995, Barry Forman,

M.D., Ph.D., discovered

how certain molecules

can regulate receptors

involved in glucose metabolism, leading

to the development of important drugs

that are now Food and Drug Administration

approved to treat type 2 diabetes. And,

perhaps most significantly, in 1978, Arthur

Riggs, Ph.D., and Keiichi Itakura, Ph.D.,

genetically engineered bacteria to effectively

produce unlimited quantities of synthetic

human insulin, which today is used by mil-

lions worldwide with diabetes.

Riggs, professor of biology and

director emeritus of Beckman Research

Institute, believes City of Hope will

continue making discoveries that will

influence diabetes care. This gift will help

us maintain momentum toward becoming

the top center in Southern California and

among the national leaders for research in

diabetes and metabolic disease, he said.

Today, City of Hope researchers are

investigating islet cell transplantation, a

treatment in which insulin-producing cells

called islet cells are transplanted from a

donor pancreas into patients with diabetes

to produce insulin. City of Hope is one

of only seven islet cell resource centers

funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The institution hosts the Southern

California Islet Cell Consortium, an

integrated effort of multiple academic and

transplant institutions that coordinate

efforts in islet cell transplantation. In

2006, City of Hope was designated as a

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

islet cell transplant center.

To date, City of Hope has performed

27 islet cell transplants since 2004. In fact, in

2004 and 2005, City of Hope performed the

most islet cell transplants in the nation.

City of Hopes diabetes

research program is an outstanding

example of visionary work in a

truly collaborative atmosphere,

said Leslie Gonda. I consider

this an investment for future

generations to benefit from this

terrible disease that so many

people suffer from.

20.8 millionchildren andadults in the

United States,or 7 percent

of thepopulation,

have diabetes.

While about14.6 million havebeen diagnosedwith diabetes,

another6.2 millionpeople are

unaware thatthey have the

disease.

Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldshmied)

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Shelly Stevens newislet cells, transplanted at

City of Hope, gave her a

new lease on life.

Since the 41-year-old

Chula Vista, Calif., reside

was diagnosed with type

diabetes at age 2, she has

faced many challenges.

Because her body lacked

diabetic awareness, she could not tell if her blood

sugar was soaring or plunging. The first time Id

know it was low was when Id be on the floor havingconvulsions, she said. At 21, she lost most of her

vision due to diabetes complications.

She shared her struggles with her older sister,

Kim, who also had diabetes and died at age 35. She

had all the horror stories, Stevens said. Strokes,

amputation.

After a friend who had received a pancreas and

kidney transplant at City of Hope told her about the

institutions islet cell transplant program, supported

through the Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied)

Foundation, Stevens could not wait to sign up. I camout of convulsions one day and literally crawled to

the phone. My husband said, What on earth are you

doing? I said, Im calling City of Hope.

I was desperate to get in, she recalled.

Fortunately, they said I was perfect for the program.

In February 2007, Stevens received her final

transplant of donated cells, and four months later, sh

gave herself her last insulin injection. Since then, the

woman who used to require 14 shots a day has not

needed insulin at all.

This is the miracle Ive always dreamed of, she saidNow, Stevens tells everyone she meets with

diabetes about City of Hope, including her brother,

Matthew, who recently was diagnosed with the

disease. Everyone knows someone who has diabete

she said. Thats why Im so excited about this

research.

SUPPORT THAT PROVIDES

SECOND CHANCES AT LIFE

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Prostate cancer is a manscancer, so it is not surprising

that most prostate tumors

depend on something

manly testosterone

and other male hormones

to grow. By shutting down

those hormones, physicians

can slow a prostate tumors

growth or shrink it.Unfortunately, over time, many

prostate tumors learn to grow without

these hormones, eliminating hormone

therapy as a treatment option and

signaling an aggressive turn for

the cancer. These prostate cancers

are known as androgen-independent

tumors. (Male hormones are called

androgens.)

Janni Mirosevich, Ph.D., assistant

research scientist in the lab of RichardJove, Ph.D., director of Beckman Research

Institute and professor in the Division of

Molecular Medicine, is studying how that

shift happens. The answers may lead to

new therapies

for these aggressive tumors.

Mirosevich recently found that

differences in the levels of two

important proteins that play a role in

the disease signal the transition

from treatable to more aggressive

prostate tumors.

Mirosevichs findings implicate

two members of the forkhead box protein

family, called Fox for short.

The scientists zeroed in on two Fox

proteins in particular, Foxa1 and Foxa2.

They examined mice that had been

genetically engineered to develop

prostate cancer and found unusually

high levels of Foxa1 protein in abnormal

prostate cells that formed what are

called prostate intraepithelial neoplasialesions. These lesions may precede

cancer. The scientists did not find

high levels of the other protein, Foxa2,

in these lesions.

In contrast, mice that had another

aggressive, androgen-independent

prostate cancer called neuroendocrine

carcinoma did show high levels of

Foxa2. Mice with neuroendocrine

tumors develop metastatic lesions,

said Mirosevich. Patients with

pure neuroendocrine tumors havevery poor prognosis these tumors

are the ones that frequently

metastasize.

That led scientists to suspect that

Foxa2 was somehow linked to the

cancers aggressiveness. And further

experiments showed that Foxa2 unlike

Foxa1 can interact with prostate cells

without having androgens around.

Together with the Department of

Urology and Urologic Oncologys Laura

Crocitto, M.D., and Timothy Wilson, M.D.,

Pauline and Martin Collins Family Chair

in Urology, and Huiqing Wu, M.D., in

the Department of Anatomic Pathology,

Mirosevich is now examining Foxa

proteins in biopsy specimens from

prostate cancer patients.

So far, human data mirror mouse

findings. We found Foxa2 expressed

in some high-grade cancers, suggesting

that those tumors are progressing to

neuroendocrine cancers, Mirosevich

said. This suggests that Foxa2 is

associated with cancer progression.

If further research bears it out, Foxa2

might be a target for much-needed

therapies to fight androgen-independent

prostate cancer and allow physicians

and patients to outfox the most common

cancer among men.

By Elise Lamar

OUTFOXINGAN ELUSIVE QUARRY

PAULAMYERS

Janni Mirosevich


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THE FOUNTAIN 0F

CELLULARYOUTH

8 I CITY NEWS WINTER 2008

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No one knows exactly how stem

cells maintain their flexibility, and

unfortunately, the mystery surrounding

stemness hampers efforts to develop

lifesaving therapies for conditions such

as neurodegenerative disease, including

Parkinsons and Alzheimers. One

City of Hope investigator is doing her best to

dispel the mystery, though, by identifyingthe factors behind neural stem cells

eternal youth.

Yanhong Shi, Ph.D., assistant professor

in the Division of Neurosciences, recently

reported in Proceedings of the National

Academy of Science how a protein called

TLX maintains a critical component of

stemness: neural stem cells ability to divide

and reproduce themselves over and over,

or self-renew. Until recently, scientists

thought that once an adult lost nerve cells in

the brain or spinal cord whether throughtrauma, disease or aging the cells were

irreplaceable. That assumption has now been

disproved. Scientists have found neural stem

cells in adult mammalian brains. These

cells have the ability to self-renew and

differentiate into brain cells like neurons,

Shi said.

Earlier in her career, Shi discovered that

lab mice engineered to lack the TLX protein

have far fewer neural stem cells in the adult

brain than other mice. That finding implies

that neural stem cells need the protein to

renew themselves.

Her newest study reported that tokeep neural stem cells youthful, TLX actually

partners up with another protein called a

histone deacetylase (HDAC).

Shi and City of Hope postdoctoral

fellow Guoqiang Sun, Ph.D., showed that

TLX and HDAC act as a team to slam the

brakes on two genes that encourage neural

stem cells to mature into adult nerve

cells. Interestingly, one of those two genes

does double duty. It not only pushes stem

cell maturation, but also protects cells

against cancer.That could mean that the duo of TLX

and HDAC controls not only the renewal of

healthy stem cells that regenerate tissues,

but also the activity of a more sinister type

of cell that gives rise to a tumor, known as

a cancer stem cell.

This is a very important finding about

mechanisms of how neural stem cells

maintain stemness, said Sun. It could

lead to potential drug discoveries in one

direction, for tissue-replacement therapies

for diseases like Alzheimers or Parkinsons,or in another, to target cancer stem cells.

The research not only may lead to

targets for therapies, but may also help

scientists grow and acquire more adult

neural stem cells for their studies.

Sun is the recipient of the Herbert

Horvitz Postdoctoral Fellowship for

Neuroscience Research. The National

Institute of Neurological Disorders and

Stroke also supported the study.

ILLUSTRATION:ANNESMITH

PAULAMYERS

Yanhong Shi

By Elise Lamar

It is one of the great wonders of life: Stem cells have the remarkable

ability to remain forever young until coaxed to develop into theiradult roles as nerve, muscle, blood or other cells. Scientists call this

seemingly magical flexibility stemness.


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3CITY NEWS WINTER 2008 I

The cancer is notoriously difficult

to cure. But those facing esophageal

cancer may soon get some help from

a combination of powerful technologies.

City of Hope researchers recently showedthat uniting the advanced radiation

system called TomoTherapy together with

robotic surgery and potent chemotherapy

may improve survival.

Our initial results are encouraging,

said Yi-Jen Chen, M.D., clinical assistant

professor of radiation oncology and a

study author. We plan to continue this

treatment approach and refine it to

benefit our patients, and perhaps

influence care at other centers.

The research team studied20 patients treated at City of Hope

from 2005 to 2007 for locally advanced

esophageal cancer cancer thats spread

to nearby tissue or lymph nodes. Most

patients like these would likely die of cancer

within a year without any treatment,

physicians said. With treatment, though,

outcomes were much different.

All of the patients received

chemotherapy and radiation therapy;

some also were able to undergo

surgery after radiation.Radiation oncologists used

City of Hopes TomoTherapy Hi-Art

System. Through TomoTherapy, radiation

oncologists not only can administer therapy,

but they also can create images through

computedtomography to make sure theyre

precisely targeting a tumor and avoiding

healthy tissue as much as possible.

That means physicians can

administer radiation doses more evenly

within esophagus tumors, while also

sparing the nearby vulnerable structures

of the neck, chest and upper abdomen.

After chemotherapy and radiation, 10

of the 20 patients were able to undergosurgery through City of Hopes robotic

methods, which involve removing the

esophagus and potentially cancer-harbor-

ing lymph nodes nearby. The rest of the

patients didnt undergo surgery, either

because they chose not to or because

surgery was deemed too risky for them.

A year later, all 10 patients treated

through chemotherapy, radiation and

surgery remained alive, compared to

58 percent of patients treated with

chemotherapy and radiation. After twoyears, about 83 percent of the patients

treated with chemotherapy, radiation

and surgery remained alive.

Were excited to be able to bring our

disciplines together to find solutions for

this form of cancer, said Kemp Kernstine,

M.D., Ph.D., director of the Lung

Cancer and Thoracic Oncology

Program and one of the studys

co-authors.

Improvements in care are

desperately needed, as oneparticular form of esophagus

cancer adenocarcinoma is

becoming more common. Its

usually diagnosed at a late stage,

making successful treatment tough.

Adenocarcinoma is certainly

on the rise, related to increased

incidence of Barretts esophagus

in the Western world, explained

Dean Lim, M.D., City of Hope

medical oncologist and study co-author.

In Barretts esophagus, the esophagus

changes so that some of its lining

becomes like tissue normally found in

the intestine.Barretts esophagus usually causes

no symptoms itself, but it can sometimes

lead to esophageal cancer. Its associated

with the common condition called

gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

The risk of adenocarcinoma is 30 to 125

times higher in people who have Barretts

esophagus than it is in others, according

to the National Institute of Diabetes and

Digestive and Kidney Disorders.

This is especially being seen with

the increasing incidence of GERD, whichis seen mostly in obese males, Lim said.

About 15,560 people were diagnosed

with esophageal cancer in 2007, according

to the American Cancer Society. The

disease is three to four times as common

among men than among women.

By Alicia Di Rado

Tell someone not to swallow, and it may as well be an instruction not to sleep, blink or

breathe. For those facing esophageal cancer, though, trouble swallowing and eating is

just the beginning.

TREATMENTS POSE TRIPLE THREATTO ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Y S

Radiation physicist An Liu demonstrates TomoTherapy

to radiation oncologists from Spain on a City of Hopetour linked to the American Society for Therapeutic

Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting.

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On any given day, the lives of dozens of men, women and children

in treatment at City of Hope depend on delicate cells cells

gathered from their own blood or that of others. Soon, many more

patients will be able to receive these crucial cells, thanks to a

generous business leader.

Michael Amini, chair and chief executive officer of Amini

Innovation Corp. (AICO), joined more than 150 City of Hope

supporters on Dec. 15 for the groundbreaking of the Michael Amini

Transfusion Medicine Center. The center will house City of Hopes

blood-processing programs, which are critical to the successful

treatment of many serious illnesses.

The 60,000-square-foot facility will expand City of Hopesblood collection, analysis, processing and transfusion programs to

accommodate growing numbers of patients and blood donors. It is

also the institutions first environmentally friendly, green-certified

building.

Michael A. Friedman, M.D., City of Hope president and chief

executive officer, and Alexandra Levine, M.D., chief medical officer,

donned hardhats and shovels at the groundbreaking alongside

Amini, a longtime City of Hope supporter. Amini made a $6 million

gift in 2006 to establish the new center, adding to a previous

$2 million matching grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

California State Assemblymember Ed Hernandez, O.D. and

Steven M. Hilton, president and CEO of the Hilton Foundation,delivered remarks during the ceremony, along with former

City of Hope patients Lacey Conlan and Patrick Franco, and Amini.

I learned of City of Hope through a close business colleague.

After attending several fundraising events, getting to know

individuals treated at City of Hope, and touring the facility, I

realized that this was a place truly worthy of my strongest support,

said Amini. I am honored to be able to help City of Hope further

its mission of innovative research combined with compassionate

patient care. It is my hope that this building will support

City of Hopes treatment and research for decades to come.

The Amini Center will house all components of the

Department of Transfusion Medicine, bringing City of Hopes bloodcollection and processing programs into one place and providing

a modern, comfortable environment for patients, donors and staff.

The new facility will enable City of Hope to expand services for

patients who need blood transfusions as part of cancer treatment,

open opportunities for more research, meet new and future

government regulations for blood and stem cells and accommodate

further expansion.

Transfusion medicine plays an increasingly prominent role

in modern medical care, said Friedman. Without life-sustaining

transfusion support, many complex treatments and surgical

procedures would not be possible. The

Michael Amini Transfusion Medicine Center

will consolidate all aspects of the use of

blood products, including donor screening

and transfusion management, while

enablingimportant collaboration between

City of Hopes researchers and physicians to

advance clinical care and benefit patients.

Certified by the United States Building

Council, the Amini Centers design meets

the rigorous standards of the Leadership in

Energy and Environmental Design rating system. The building saves

energy and uses environmentally friendly design features, including a

cool roof to reduce cooling demands and energy-efficient heating and

air conditioning equipment. Recycled-content products such

as insulation, steel products and ceramic tile flooring will be used

in construction.

Amini, an active member of

City of Hopes National Home Furnishings

Industry chapter, received that groups

West Coast Lifetime Achievement Award

in 2004 for his personal, professional and

philanthropic achievements.

The National Home Furnishings

Industry chapter was created by a group

of industry leaders who wanted to help in

the search for a cure for cancer and other

life-threatening illnesses. It currently

encompasses representatives from all

facets of the industry, including retail,

manufacturing and publishing. To date,

the group has raised more than

$40 million for City of Hope.

New center deemed alifelinefor patients needing blood products

ByJennifer Healy


An artists rendering of the Michael AminiTransfusion Medicine Center

Clockwise from top left,

Michael Amini, with his

wife, Lilly, and their sons,

Iman and Kian.

From left, Michael A.

Friedman, Steven Hilton and

Michael Amini

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Increasing coverage in newspapers, radio, television

and the Web testify to City of Hopes reputation

nationwide as a leading cancer center and biomedical

research institute.

In 2007, media coverage of City of Hope reached a

total of 240 million readers, viewers and listeners 8

million more than the previous year. The institutions

profile also grew through promotional public service

announcements broadcast over Clear Channel

radio stations across the United States featuring

well-known entertainers such as Sheryl Crow and

Kiefer Sutherland.

Achievements in patient care received national

attention, as well, most notably in U.S.News & World

Report. The magazine ranked City of Hope as one of

Americas Best Hospitals in two specialties: cancer

and urology. City of Hope is one of only five centers in

California to be featured on the cancer list; it also

is one of only six hospitals in California to be ranked

in urology.

This media attention increases awareness

among the general public, but it does not replace the

importance of personal experience and connections.

Chapter members roles as ambassadors can truly

personalize and underscore City of Hopes mission with

potential donors and volunteers, encouraging them to

learn even more.

Your efforts in spreading the word about

City of Hope are a valued contribution for fundraising

efforts and represent an important way for us to

reach new supporters. Our researchers and scientistsadvances depend on such support, so your role in

treatments and cures is pivotal.

As we begin another year, please accept my thanks

on behalf of all of us at City of Hope for your role as an

ambassador and your steadfast dedication.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Kane,

Executive Vice President of Development

and External Affairs

N O R T H W E S T

S O U T H W E S T

M I D W E

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kathleen Kane

C I T Y N E W S

Chapters

Playful nature belied true nature of a committed philanthropist

T O M B R O W N

Christa Thomas, Chapters Managing Editor

CITY NEWS WINTER 2008 I

Greta Flaschner was exuberant, playful and had a

zest for life. She was lighthearted with those closest to

her, but was quite serious about her philanthropy, as

evidenced by a $2.7 million real estate bequest she left

to City of Hope.

She first learned of the institution several years ago

through her friend Andy Spiegl, a member of the Board

of Governors, the Medical Center Aides Chapter, and

City of Hopes national medical center board of

directors. After Flaschner approached Spiegl about help

in managing her rental property, he proposed relegating

the duty to City of Hope. Soon afterward, Spiegl

arranged for Flaschner and her late twin sister, Gertrude

Sheldon, to tour the campus.

Moved by the tour, Flaschner embraced

City of Hopes mission. She set up a gift agreement for

an apartment building she owned, with City of Hope

as the beneficiary. This arrangement allowed her to

retain ownership of the property during her life, with the

building going to City of Hope upon her death.

Flaschner was focused and sharp when it came

to finances, wanting to

ensure that her money

was wisely spent. When

Greta saw all of the

children being treated at

the hospital during her

tour, she was elated that

she had an opportunity to

help them, Spiegl said.

Originally fromPrague, in the Czech

Republic, Flaschner

immigrated to the United

States and settled in Los

Angeles with her late

husband, Charles, in the 1940s. Sheldon moved to

Vancouver, Canada. In their later years, the sisters often

spent six months out of each year visiting each other,

maintaining their close bond. Flaschner, who died in

December 2005 at age 93, is survived by a niece.

You can help spread the word about City of Hope

Greta Flaschner,

left, Andy Spiegl,

and Gretas twin

sister, Gertrude

Sheldon

COURTESYOFNANCYG

ENGO

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008


N O R T H W E S T

S O U T H W E S T

The collaboration of four longtime City of Hope

chapters proved to be a winning combination at

the Partnership for Hope Fall Luncheon and Fashion

Show Extravaganza on Oct. 27. The first-of-its-kind

fundraiser, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly

Hills, Calif., netted $100,000 to benefit cancer

research, treatment and education at City of Hope.

Among the 700 supporters attending the

event which was hosted by the Dick Salter,

Gift of Life and Louis Gendel chapters and the

Sportsmens Club were entertainers Brittany

Murphy, Eric Salter Balfour and City of Hopes

own Star of Hope, Florence Henderson.

Emcees Marilyn Freeman and Betty Gorelick,

from the Sportsmens Club, joined chapter

presidents Shirley Herriford of the Dick Salter

Chapter, Judi Goldstein of the Gift of Life Chapter,

Ron Yoffe of the Louis Gendel Chapter and Steve

and Betty Gorelick of the Sportsmens Club, in

welcoming guests.

Chapter leaders came up with the idea

of hosting one large fundraiser to better take

advantage of each of their groups unique

strengths. Highlights of the event included a

fashion show and auctions. Patient speaker and

internationally renowned flutist Paul Fried also

inspired supporters when he performed, then told

his story of triumph against chronic myelogenous

leukemia at City of Hope.

I want to thank all of the dedicated chapter

members who came together to help make this

gathering such an extraordinary success, said Alan

Levey, senior vice president of development. This

event is a clear indication that having our chapters

work together is a win-win situation, not only for

City of Hope, but for all parties involved.

C I T Y N E W S

Chapters

A storied chapter in City of Hopes history of

long-term volunteerism has ended.

In May, Bernie and Ruth Waldow shuttered thethrift store they opened in Culver City, Calif., some

30 years ago to raise funds for City of Hope. What

began as a simple storefront became a welcoming

gathering spot for neighbors, a celebrity haunt,

an occasional movie shoot location and a hub of

volunteer activity.

Shortly after participating in a fundraising drive for

a friend with leukemia in the early 70s, the Waldows

joined the Dorothy Polansky Chapter, with Ruth

eventually becoming the groups secretary and Bernie

the vice president. Bernie then was elected president,

an office he still holds in the 90-member chapter.

The couples creative fundraising ideas helped

the chapter generate more than $450,000 in its first

year. The duo then applied the same ingenuity to

running the thrift store. With an ideal location, the

store enjoyed a healthy stream of foot traffic. Crate

& Barrel donated some of their slightly damaged

goods weekly. These items produced $4,000 to

$5,000 in income for us each month, Bernie said.

Many of the stores customers felt a special

kinship with the couple, expressing in letters their

sadness at its closing. Each trip to your store has

been like a treasure hunt, wrote customers Shelley

and Marc Rohan. My husband and I have been soblessed by you. Our house would not be a home if it

werent for you.

In 1996, the Waldows also played a major role

in the creation of Walk for Hope, now a nationwide

annual fundraiser for the institution. Momentum

from the first events success grew into more

exciting features in the subsequent years. In 1999,

we included a Harley motorcade. The ground shook!

Bernie recalled.

The couple also have a personal connection to

City of Hope: Bernies stepmother, Betty Waldow,

was successfully treated there. Where other

institutions estimated she had months to live,

City of Hope gave her five more years of quality life,

Ruth said.

Residing in Culver City, the octogenarian couple

has two sons, Sandy and Perry, along with two

grandchildren, Brian and Darrin. They enjoy taking

local community college classes and attending social

events. Even today, the Waldows remain generous

with their time, actively fundraising for City of Hope.

Said Bernie: It keeps us young.

Southern California chapters unite for Partnership for Hope

Stories by Carmen R. Gonzalez

When thrift means generosity

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

AMYCANTRELL.C

OM

From left, Betty Gorelick, Shirley

Herriford, Steve Gorelick, Ron Yoffe,

and Judi Goldstein

AMYCANTRELL.C

OM

Paul Fried

COURTESYOFW

ALDOWF

AMILY

Bernie and Ruth Waldow

COURTESYOFWALDOWF

AMILY

The Waldows (bottom row,

second and third from left)

with fellow volunteers at

City of Hopes thrift store in

Culver City, Calif., in 1974

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008

17/37CITY NEWS WINTER 2008 I

Dorothy Baser epitomizes the dedicated membership

of the Inner Circle. The cancer survivor seeks the

ultimate victory for herself, as well as for others facing

the disease now and in the future: She simply wants

a cure.

Baser recently donated $450,000 to City of Hope

for its Cancer Immunotherapeutics and Tumor

Immunology (CITI) program, an initiative dedicated

to understanding the bodys immune response anddeveloping new treatments for cancer based on

the bodys own defense system. She was introduced

to CITI through her participation in the Inner Circle,

a group dedicated to ending cancer and other

life-threatening diseases through its support of the

research and clinical programs at City of Hope.

The committed supporter first became acquainted

with the Inner Circle through her longtime friend

Linda Tow, the wife of outgoing Inner Circle president

Stephan Tow.

Although new to the

Inner Circle, Baser became an

enthusiastic advocate when

she learned more about the

potential of the CITI program.

Basers other philanthropic

commitments include Los

Angeles Skirball Center, the

Stephen S. Wise Temple and

various arts initiatives.

Originally from New York,

Baser now a resident of Los

Angeles excelled in a career as a realtor for more

than 30 years before her retirement.

The Inner Circle today boasts 61 members,

14 of whom joined during Stephan Tows term. Marc

Paul, principal of SCI Real Estate Investments, who

succeeded Tow as president in January, will remain

focused on growing chapter membership.

N O R T H E A S T

S O U T H E A S T

M I D W E S T

Volunteers Dick and Jeanie Katz took center stage at the

Atlanta Chapters 50th anniversary luncheon celebration

on Oct. 8, when nearly 100 supporters recognized the

couples years of dedication to City of Hope. The featured

guest speaker at the Buckhead, Ga., event was Bill Nigut,

regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.

The Katz familys involvement with the Atlanta

Chapter is far-reaching: Dick Katzs late mother, Hazel,

helped found it. Her unwavering support is recognized on

signage across City of Hopes Duarte, Calif., campus.

The 76-year old Katz cites his mothers longtime

involvement with City of Hope as inspiration for

furthering his familys legacy. We are definitely charity

givers, but it is my mothers involvement with

City of Hope that has stayed with me, he said. The fact

that both of the Katzs previous spouses died from the

same type of cancer also spurred them to support

City of Hopes cancer research efforts.

Acting on the inspiration they felt at the 2007

National Convention, the Katzes committed to a

$100,000 pledge to the institution there. Aristotle said

the most important question is not whether to give, but

to whom, when and how, said Dick Katz.

Had I known

how much

satisfaction I would

receive through

philanthropy, I would

have worked a lot

harder to make more

money, he added

with a grin.

The Katzes

reside in Atlanta,

just 50 miles away

from their horse

farm, the Plantation

of Jefferson, an

officially recognized national historical site. Dick Katz

owns Republic Land & Investment, a local real estate and

financing company. The Katzes have two children, Will

and Wendy, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The Atlanta Chapter has proven to be a formidable

fundraising force. Since its inception in 1957, the group

has raised more than $1 million for research, treatment

and education efforts at City of Hope.

Dedicated supporters honored at Atlanta Chapters 50th anniversary celebration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Inner Circle member supports research into immune system function

A M Y C A N T R E L L C

O M

Dorothy Baser, left,

and Linda Tow

Dick and

Jeanie Katz

JOANWIZNER

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008


SOUTHWEST:

Los Angeles An enthusiastic crowd of nearly 4,000 spectators watched two

dozen boxers from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and Los Angeles

Police Department duke it out at the 14th annual Fight for Life boxing tournament.

Held on Nov. 30 at the L.A. Sports Arena, the 2007 competition raised more

than $40,000 for City of Hope. Fight for Life has generated more than $500,000

since its inception and has traditionally featured boxers from the sheriffs and

police departments.

Palm Springs, Calif. The Gems of the Desert Chapter will host its fifth annual Desert Hope Charity Golf

Tournament at the Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., on March 31. Last years popular tourney,

which was co-chaired by Brian Foord and Rich Stenton, netted more than $112,000. The growth of the chapter

itself is another success story: What began with 12 members has now grown to nearly 225, thanks to the concertedrecruitment efforts of board members.

Hacienda Heights, Calif. More than 600 supporters gathered for the

Hacienda Heights Chapters 44th annual Fashion Show & Luncheon, held

on Nov. 10 at Pacific Palms Resort in the City of Industry, Calif. The 2007

event, which included a fashion runway event and shopping boutique, raised

more than $30,000 for City of Hope, due to the leadership of the event

co-chairs. Since its inception, the chapter has raised more than $1,275,000.

Oceanside. Calif. Nearly 160 guests gathered

at the El Camino Country Club on Oct. 13 for the 200th Celebration Dinner for Lorrie &

Sheldon Bernstein, which raised more than $27,000 for the City of Hope Liver Tumor

Program. The total included a $10,000 gift from Ocean Hills Chapter member Arnold

Kovin, who was inspired by the Bernsteins commitment.

The Bernsteins are longtime City of Hope supporters and co-presidents of the Ocean

Hills Chapter, which now includes nearly 500 members. The number 200 in the events title

represented the combined ages of hosts and event underwriters Lorrie and Sheldon Bernstein

(80 and 85, respectively) and the couples 35 years of marriage. Among those in attendance was Lawrence Wagman, M. D.,

director of the Liver Tumor Program, who successfully treated Lorrie Bernstein in 2005. At City of Hope, our

innovative clinical efforts allow us to treat many at-risk patients who cant obtain help elsewhere, said Wagman.

NORTHEAST:

Philadelphia Through the 14th annual HopeCuts fundraising

event, more than 300 Philly area hair salons helped raise a record-

setting $200,000 to support City of Hopes cancer and HIV/AIDSprograms. Thousands of supporters had their hair coiffed by stylists

who donated their time and talent to raise cancer-fighting dollars.

NORTHWEST:

Seattle Claudia Marks Larkin played host to 60 supporters at her Seattle home

on Sept. 20 for the Bosom Buddies luncheon, which raised $18,000 for the

City of Hope Breast Cancer Survivorship Care Program overseen by Smita Bhatia, M.D.,

chair of the Division of Population Sciences.

M I D W E S T

N O R T H E A S T

S O U T H E A S T

Regional RoundupChapter news from around the country

C I T Y N E W S

Chapters

Sheriff Lee Baca

of the L.A. County

Sheriffs Department,

far left, and Chief

William Bratton of

the L.A.P.D. with two

fighters

Lorrie and Sheldon

Bernstein

From left, Board of Regents member Bobbie Stern, Claudia Marks Larkin and Penny Coe

Members of

United Artists

Salon in Reading,

Penn., HopeCuts

highest-grossingsalon

Arlene Marzell and Kay Ramsey, event co-chairs

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008


A$2 million gift hasestablished the

Lester M. and Irene

C. Finkelstein Chair in

Biology at City of Hope,

which supports basic

research into the

causes of cancer.

Gerd Pfeifer, Ph.D.,

co-leader of

City of Hopes CancerBiology Program and

professor and chair of

the Division of Biology,

is the first holder of

the chair.Pfeifer is known for

research that explores

chemical changes that take

place in the DNA of tumor

cells. Most notably, his

efforts helped identify the molecular link

between cigarette smoking and

lung cancer.

The National Institutes of Health

recently recognized Pfeifer by awarding

him the largest of eight national grants

as part of the Cancer Genome Atlas

project, which aims to develop innovative

technologies to detect and treat cancer.

In the projects pilot phase, Pfeifer and

investigators at Johns Hopkins University,

Stanford University and other nationallyrecognized institutions will focus on

genetic changes associated with lung,

ovarian and brain cancers. Pfeifer will

specifically look for changes in DNA

linked to lung cancer.

City of Hopes Division of

Biology has played a major role in the

understanding of the causes of cancer,

said Michael A. Friedman, M.D.,

City of Hopes president and chief

executive officer. Under Dr. Pfeifers

leadership, and with the generous

support of gifts like the Finkelstein

endowment, the program can continue to

excel in its discoveries, which can lead to

the identification of new approaches for

prevention and early detection.

City of Hopes Cancer Biology

Program investigates the biological

effects of solar ultraviolet radiation,

cigarette smoke and certain food

components as possible causes of humancancer, with a focus on human skin

cancers, including melanoma, and on

lung cancer caused by tobacco smoking.

Cancer will be diagnosed in an

estimated 1.5 million people this year,

said Pfeifer. This funding will support

our efforts to gain a more complete

understanding of the basic genetic,

molecular and biological mechanisms

of cancer. This gift will also help

accelerate our efforts so that improved

diagnostic tools can be developed to

address the disease in its earliest stages,

when it is most treatable.

The chair was established through

a bequest from the Finkelsteins, who

resided in Beverly Hills, Calif. Irene

Finkelstein was a longtime supporter

of City of Hope and had a great deal of

confidence in the work of the institution,

said Leonard Unger, a Finkelstein

family spokesperson. She wanted tohelp ensure it would continue, so that

the causes of

cancer may be

identified and

new therapies

developed

to better

treat the

disease.

Lester M. And Irene C. Finkelstein Chair in Biology supports

RESEARCH INTO CANCERS ROOTSByJennifer Healy

Gerd Pfeifer

PAULAMYERS

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008

20/37

The book is the third edition of a

consumer guide to the nations top

cancer specialists and includes profiles

of more than 2,200 doctors throughout

the United States within 48 cancer

specialties and subspecialties. NumerousCity of Hope physicians have appeared

in the first two editions of the book.

Another 14 City of Hope

physicians also are included in

Americas Top Doctors searchable

online database, available through

www.americastopdoctors.com.

Doctors on the list were selected

through nationwide surveys of more than

30,000 physicians and hospital leaders at

major medical centers, specialty hospitals

and teaching hospitals, as well asprofessional association and group

members.

City of Hope is pleased that our

physicians rank among the best in cancer

care, and that their excellence and

reputation are recognized across the

country, said Alexandra Levine, M.D.,

chief medical officer. All of our physicians

and staff provide extraordinary care,

and their knowledge, experiences and

practices are routinely shared with

hospitals around the nation.

Among City of Hopes many

well-known physicians, those appearing in

the book include these specialists:

Division of Hematology & HematopoieticCell Transplantation

Stephen J. Forman, M.D., the Francisand Kathleen McNamara DistinguishedChair in Hematology and HematopoieticCell Transplantation

Margaret R. ODonnell, M.D.,associate clinical director

David S. Snyder, M.D., associate director

Division of Medical Oncology &Therapeutics Research

Warren Chow, M.D., associate professor

Robert A. Figlin, M.D., the Arthur andRosalie Kaplan Professor of MedicalOncology and division chair

Marianna Koczywas, M.D.,assistant professor

Kim A. Margolin, M.D., associate directorfor clinical research

Joanne Mortimer, M.D., professor andadministrative director of phase I programs

Stephen I. Shibata, M.D., directorof the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program

Jeffrey N. Weitzel, M.D., director of theDepartment of Clinical Cancer Genetics

Yun Yen, M.D., Ph.D., director of theDepartment of Clinical and MolecularPharmacology

Division of Radiation OncologyRichard D. Pezner, M.D., associate chair

Jeffrey Wong, M.D., division chair

Division of Surgery

James S. Andersen, M.D., directorof the Department ofPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Behnam Badie, M.D., directorof the Department of Neurosurgery

Joshua D.I. Ellenhorn, M.D., physician

Mark H. Kawachi, M.D., directorof the Prostate Cancer Center

Kemp H. Kernstine, M.D., Ph.D.,

director of the Department of ThoracicSurgery and the Thoracic/LungCancer Program

Lawrence D. Wagman, M.D., directorof the Liver Tumor Program

Timothy G. Wilson, M.D., the Pauline

and Martin Collins Family Chair

in Urology

Other divisions and departments

Alexandra Levine, M.D.,chief medical officer

Fouad R. Kandeel, M.D., Ph.D.,director of the Department of Diabetes,Endocrinology & Metabolism

Joseph Rosenthal, M.D., associateprofessor in the Division of Pediatrics

Neal E. Slatkin, M.D., directorof the Department of Supportive Care,Pain & Palliative Medicine

Lawrence M. Weiss, M.D., chairof the Division of Pathology

Sharon Wilczynski, M.D., Ph.D., directorof Anatomic Pathology

Physicians in the online database

include Harlan Bixby, M.D., David Zhong

Jian Chu, M.D., Frederic Grannis, M.D.,

James Ito, M.D., Lucille Leong, M.D., Dean

Lim, M.D., Robert Morgan, M.D., Auayporn

Nademanee, M.D., I. Benjamin Paz, M.D.,

Arnold Rotter, M.D., Melani Pertcheck

Shaum, M.D., Craig Smith, M.D., George

Somlo, M.D., and Vijay Trisal, M.D.

Americas Top Doctors for Cancer

is available online at www.amazon.com,

www.barnesandnoble.com and via

publisher Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.

at www.castleconnolly.comand

www.americastopdoctors.com.


MORE CITY OF HOPE PHYSICIANS NAMED AS

AMERICAS TOP DOCTORS FOR CANCER

By Chung So

Twenty-six City of Hope physicians are featured inthe recently published edition of Americas TopDoctors for Cancer.

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008

21/37

JACK SELLERS

As a result of my careers

as an electrical engineer,

a flight instructor and a

college professor, I have

come to appreciate the

value of learning from

the past. I have learned

some of the most critical

lessons about health

from my own family.

Since my mother died

of colon cancer and my

father from lung cancer,

I have been very aware

of my own cancer risk.That is why I always told my internist

to examine me for all forms of cancer.

It was just part of my regular medical

routine. So, when my PSA (prostate-

specific antigen) levels suddenly increased,

I knew it was significant, because this

can be an early sign of problems with the

prostate. My levels were not high by most

standards, but they were high enough for

me to become concerned.

In spring 2006, my doctor confirmed

my suspicion: I had early stage prostate

cancer.

Due to my familys health history,

I was prepared. My wifes cousin had

been treated for prostate cancer by Mark

Kawachi, M.D., a urologic surgeon at

City of Hope, and he had a very positive

experience. So, as soon as I was diagnosed,

City of Hope was my first thought.

When I met with Dr. Kawachi, heconfirmed my doctors earlier diagnosis.

He then recommended removing

my prostate through a procedure

called a robotic-assisted laparoscopic

prostatectomy. He said he would be using

a technically advanced surgical tool known

as the da Vinci Surgical System. What he

went on to say was very reassuring for me.

He told me City of Hope surgeons

had been using the da Vinci robot since

2003. (As of late 2007, City of Hope

surgeons have performed more than 2,500

prostatectomies robotically, more than any

other cancer center in the western United

States.) He also pointed out that the

da Vinci robot would cause fewer side

effects because it allowed him to operate

in the least invasive way possible. It made

sense to me: a smaller incision would result

in fewer complications.

As Dr. Kawachi predicted, my case

was a classic textbook example of an

early stage cancer offering an excellent

prognosis. I was only in the hospital for

three days, and I experienced little pain.

And it got even better. After the initial

recovery period, I did not feel any pain or

discomfort at all. At my review, 30 days

after the operation, I checked out just fine:

He saw no sign of cancer.

These days, my wife and I do not

worry about the cancer coming back. We

are jubilant! I know I owe this elation to

the lessons I learned early on with myfamily: Take cancer screenings seriously,

especially if you have a family history of

the disease.

A retiree, Jack Sellers now volunteers

with FIRST Robotics, an organization

that encourages young people to

pursue careers in science, technology,

engineering and mathematics.

Learning lessons fromfamily history

Jack and Joanne Sellers

CITY NEWS WINTER 2008 I 1

ByJack Sellers, P.E., Ed.D.

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008


City of Hope is a nationally recognized leader in biomedical

research. The institution ranked in the top 5 percent among

independent research institutes in total grants awarded

by the National Institutes of Health in 2006. Following is

a roundup of some notable grants recently awarded.

>NCI award supportsresearch regarding melanoma

and sarcoma

The National Cancer Institute

(NCI)awarded a five-year,

$1.4 million grant to Richard

Jove, Ph.D., director of

City of Hopes Beckman

Research Institute and deputydirector of the Comprehensive

Cancer Center. Joves research

will set the stage for testing a

new generation of antitumor

and antiangiogenesis

therapeutics. The research

aims to develop more effective

molecular-targeted therapies

for melanoma and sarcoma.

>H.N. & Frances C. BergerFoundation continues

graduate school

support

Four high-achieving, first-yeargraduate students at

City of Hopes Graduate

School of Biological Sciences

received H.N. & Frances C.

Berger Fellowship awards. The

H.N. & Frances C. Berger

Fellowships for Outstanding

Performance will support the

students first-year expenses

as they pursue careers in

biomedical research. The

H.N. & Frances C. Berger

Foundation has supported

City of Hopes graduate

program since 2002.

>Leukemia and Lymphoma

Society funds survivorshipresearch

The Leukemia and

Lymphoma Society awardeda three-year, $600,000

grant to Smita Bhatia, M.D.,

M.P.H., chair of the Division

of Population Sciences. Bhatia

focuses on how cancer therapy

may affect patients even long

after they finish treatment.

She studies how to prevent

and detect these effects, as

well as the therapys influence

on quality of life. In addition,she develops ways to improve

patients quality of life and

better manage their symptoms.

Since its founding in 1949,

the Leukemia and Lymphoma

Society has invested more

than $550 million in research

specifically targeting blood

cancers.

>Phase One Foundationgrant supports translational

research

The Phase One Foundation

awarded a two-year,

$500,000 grant to fund

City of Hope collaborative

projects, clinical trials and

experimental protocols intranslational research

studies that quickly turn

scientific discoveries into

potential new therapies. The

grant is overseen by Robert

Figlin, M.D., Arthur and

Rosalie Kaplan Professor of

Medical Oncology, chair of the

Division of Medical Oncology

& Therapeutics Research and

associate director for clinicalresearch in City of Hopes

Comprehensive Cancer

Center. Founded

in 1991, the Phase

One Foundation, a

nonprofit organization

based in Santa

Monica, Calif., is

committed to

supporting phase 1

clinical trial research

and treatment

programs

for cancer

patients.

>Sidney Kimmel awardsupports research into liver

regeneration

The Sidney Kimmel

Foundation for Cancer

Research awarded a two-year,

$200,000 grant to Wendong

Huang, Ph.D., assistant

professor in the Departmentof Gene Regulation & Drug

Discovery. Huangs research

will further the study of an

important metabolic defect

involving farnesoid X receptor,

or FXR. Huang studies the role

that FXR plays in liver regrowth,

which may eventually boost

treatments for liver diseases,

including cancer.

The Kimmel Awards werecreated in 1997 to further the

careers of gifted, young

scientists involved

in cancer research.

The Sidney Kimmel

Foundation has

contributed more

than $350 million

to cancer centers and

cancer research.

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008

23/37

Now a $700,000 grant from

the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris

Foundation will provide critical start-up

funding at City of Hope for investigations

of the role of these cells in leukemia and

other cancers. The grant also will support

research into the development of therapies

that target and destroy these cells.

Cancer stem cells constitute a small

portion of tumors, but play a key role in

the proliferation of cancer cells, scientists

said. Funding from the grant will provide

initial equipment and supplies, as well

as salaries for postdoctoral fellows and

research personnel within City of Hopes

Department of Stem Cell & Leukemia

Research.

The American Cancer Society

estimates that more than 44,000 people

in the United States will be diagnosed

with some form of leukemia this year.

Beginning with studies of leukemia

in the 1980s, a growing body of evidence

indicates that a small subpopulation

of cancer cells may give rise to cancer.

These so-called cancer stem cells share

two characteristics with normal stemcells: They are self-renewing and can

divide indefinitely to produce copies of

themselves, and they can differentiate

into other cell types found in organs

of the body or, in the case of cancer,

tumor cells.

Cancer stem cells have been

identified for other blood cancers and

for breast, brain and lung cancers,

among others. And while current cancer

therapies kill the majority of mature

cancer cells within a tumor, studies have

shown that malignant stem cells can

persist even when the patient appears in

complete remission.

What is clear from previous

research is that several if not all

leukemias arise from small subpopulations

of leukemia stem cells, said Ravi Bhatia,

M.D., professor in City of Hopes Division

of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell

Transplantation and director of theDepartment of Hematopoietic Stem Cell

& Leukemia Research, who will lead the

program. Before cures can be developed,

a number of questions must be answered

regarding the nature of leukemia stem

cells and their resistance to elimination

by conventional treatments. This grant

will provide us with the equipment and

talent to fully investigate these questions

and ultimately design treatments that will

uniquely target cancer stem cells.

Investigators in the departmentwill study the differences in signaling

and gene regulation between normal

and malignant stem cells and use the

abnormal activity of the leukemia stem

cells as targets for therapy. A major area

of focus will include cell self-renewal,

survival and growth regulation in normal

versus malignant stem cells.

Cancer stem cells are an

increasingly vital part of oncology

research, said Norris Foundation

Executive Director Ronald R. Barnes. The

Norris Foundation is proud to support

City of Hopes efforts in cancer stem

cell research, which has the potential to

change current beliefs about the spread

of cancers and effective treatment

approaches.

Recently joining Bhatia in his studies

were assistant professors Takahiro Maeda,

M.D., Ph.D., and Ya-Huei Kuo, Ph.D.

Plans call for an additional faculty

researcher.

The Department of Stem Cell &

Leukemia Research is housed within

City of Hopes Division of Hematology

& Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation,

under the overall direction of Stephen

J. Forman, M.D., the Francis and

Kathleen McNamara Distinguished

Chair in Hematology and Hematopoietic

Cell Transplantation. In 1976,

City of Hope was one of the first

medical centers in the nation to

successfully perform bone marrow

transplantation for leukemia. Today,

City of Hope has one of the largest

and most successful transplant

programs in the world, with innovative

protocols for patients with a variety

of hematologic cancers and other

diseases.

Family founded, the Norris

Foundation supports programs

that advance better health andintellectual enlightenment through

education, cultivation of the arts,

individual responsibility, freedom

and dignity.

ByJennifer Healy

In cancer, not all cells arecreated equal. Research isshowing that some cancercells dubbed cancer stemcells may play a key partin tumors growth, spreadand recurrence.


Ravi Bhatia

Cells thatLURK AND LINGERbeneath

BILLRICH

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008

24/37

By Elise Lamar

Call them a scientific power

couple.

WenYong Chen, Ph.D.,

an assistant professor in the

Division of Biology, and Ravi

Bhatia, M.D., director of the

Department of Stem Cell &

Leukemia Research, have paired

up to turn lab discoveries into

new treatments for blood

cancer. Their potential hasnot gone unnoticed: The V

Foundation has awarded the pair

a three-year, $600,000 grant to

improve therapy for those with

chronic myelogenous leukemia.The grant supports translational

research the process of applying

scientific knowledge to create new

therapies. Chen is the basic scientist of

the two, studying fundamental biological

processes deep within the cell. Bhatia,meanwhile, deeply understands how to

target those processes, and move strategies

toward clinical trials that potentially benefit

patients who need better treatments.

The grant was one of six awarded to

research teams like Chen and Bhatia at top

institutions nationwide.

We are certain that V funding has

once again been awarded to the most elite

level of research. The six selected projects

represent the best of the 45 proposals

evaluated by The V Foundation in 2007,

said V Foundation Chief Executive Officer

Nick Valvano, brother of the late legendary

North Carolina State basketball coach and

ESPN commentator Jim Valvano.

Jim Valvano founded The V Foundation

in 1993 shortly before dying of cancer. The

foundations goal is to find a cure for the

disease. Since its creation, The V Foundation

has raised more than $60 million and

awarded cancer research grants in 37

states and the District of Columbia.

Chen and Bhatias proposal aims

to devise better therapies for chronic

myelogenous leukemia, or CML. In 2001,

CML received a major blow when the drug

Gleevec was developed a significantcancer success story. Gleevec blocks

the activity of the oncogene that causes

CML. Over time, however, some patients

become resistant to it and progress to more

advanced forms of the disease.

Chen and Bhatia believe that

high levels of a specific

protein that cells

produce to counteract

environmental stress

may be associated with

resistance to Gleevec.

We have found that

this stress-related protein

is overexpressed by some

CML cells, said Chen. If

we find that it is a critical

factor for resistance

during Gleevec treatment,

we could possibly devise

strategies to block it.

For his part, Bhatia

will evaluate the effect

of drugs that inhibit the activity of that

stress protein on CML stem cells derived

from patients. If we could show that one

of those inhibitors plus Gleevec was more

active in inhibiting CML progenitors thanGleevec alone, it would provide support

for using that drug in a clinical trial,

he said.

More information about Jim Valvano

and The V Foundation is available at

www.jimmyv.org.


V FOUNDATION champions quest against leukemia

MARKIERAMIREZ

WenYong Chen, left, and Ravi Bhatia

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008

25/37CITY NEWS WINTER 2008

Organizers raised more

than $2.7 million through

corporate sponsorships, team

participation and the continued

support of thousands of

dedicated volunteers. Actress

Andrea Evans, whose mother

is a breast cancer survivor,

served as national celebrity

ambassador for the seventh

straight year.

The top three Walks of

2007 were held in Los Angeles,

Chicago and Phoenix. On

Nov. 18, more than 8,000

supporters generated more

than $850,000 in Los Angeles,

even though the event had

to be postponed for more

than a month due to poor air

quality resulting from local

wildfires. On Oct. 14, more

than 2,500 participants raised

over $360,000 in Chicago.

In Phoenix, more than 4,000

contributors reaped more

than $250,000 in donations

on Oct. 7.

Additional Walks were

held in San Diego, San Francisco,

Edison, N.J.; Seattle, Philadelphia

and Washington, D.C.

For the second year in a

row, the C is for Courage, S is

for Strength team generated

the most donations nationwide,

bringing in more than $42,000.

One of the teams members,

Chelli Fishman, once again

finished as the nations

top individual fundraiser,

generating contributions

exceeding $15,000.

Marking its seventh year

with Walk for Hope, Wells

Fargo once again served as

a national sponsor, along

with 3M Post-it Super Sticky

Notes and Good Housekeeping

magazine. Hilton HHonors also

returned as a national sponsor,

offering valuable incentive

prizes for participants, as well

as certificates for free hotel

stays for top fundraisers.

Rounding out the list of

national sponsors, Sebastian

returned and expanded its

sponsorship to include the

Wella and Graham Webb

brands.

Due to increased sponsor

and team participation in

2007, we continued to

increase the effectiveness of

our fundraising efforts, said

Dan Lacovara, associate vice

president, Communications,

noting that Albertsons/Savon

pharmacies signed on as a local

presenting sponsor for both

the Los Angeles and San Diego

walks and put together the

largest corporate teams in both

areas. We are deeply grateful

to everyone who helped to

make this past season such

an extraordinary success.

Since its inception, the

Walk for Hope program has

raised more than $25 million

for breast cancer research,

treatment and education

programs at City of Hope.

By Laurie Bellman

More than 26,000 participants hit the streets of nine American cities last

year in a team effort to eradicate the leading cancer among women throughCity of Hopes Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer.

Walk for Hope takes crucial fight against breast cancer

TO THE NATIONS STREETS

Thousands of Los Angeles walkers begin their campus trek. Chicago walkers brave their citys stormy weather

GARBOPRODUCTIONS

YEAR 1995 2007

CITIES 1 9 (Chicago)

PARTICIPANTS 500 26,302

TEAMS 10 1,436

FUNDS $50,000RAISED

$2.9

million

NATIONAL 0 6SPONSORS

KARINAPIRES

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008


THE POWEROF

UNRESTRICTEDGIVING

Even when researchers obtain highly

sought-after federal funding or private

foundation support for their research,

unrestricted monies from donors cangive them the flexibility to immediately

buy equipment or secure space to

quickly advance their science

flexibility impossible through

traditional grants.

Unrestricted gifts are donations

made without strings donations

that City of Hope may use wheremost needed. Ongoing investigations

into cancer-seeking stem cells, gene

therapy against HIV and efforts

to harness the immune system

against cancer all have depended

on unrestricted funding.

Honoring the memoryof a beloved mother

Melvin Ross was devoted to his

late mother, Lillian, who died of

cancer.

In her honor, Ross

bequeathed his entire estate of

about $5 million to City of Hope

to aid research into the disease.

Tragically, cancer claimed his

own life in 2005.

After she died, Melvin

decided that he should leave

his money to an organizationthat would provide research in

developing better treatments

and possible cures for cancer, said Nate Wolfson, Ross friend

and executor of his estate. A dutiful son, Ross made good on his

promise. Since the gift is unrestricted, the institution may apply

the funds where they will help most.

A native of Los Angeles, Ross served in the United States

Army during World War II in the European theater, where he rose

to the rank of captain. His military service was exemplary, earning

him both a battle star and bronze star. After returning home,

he embarked on a successful career in advertising, eventually

starting his own firm. Capping a career of nearly 30 years,Ross retired to Las Vegas, where he became good friends with

Wolfson, a poker and golfing buddy.

Wolfson remembered Ross as an outgoing man who strived

to enjoy life especially their two shared hobbies. He was an

accomplished poker player, recalled Wolfson, but not so good at

golf. None of us were, really. We only shot in the high 70s, but we

always had a good time.

Ross also was passionate about just one charity in his later

years. He really looked forward to leaving all his money to

City of Hope. He knew he would make a lasting difference by

taking that step, said Wolfson.

Ross gift will touch thousands of lives through research forgenerations to come. Lillian would have undoubtedly taken great

pride in her sons keen foresight.

By Carmen R. Gonzalez

Melvin Ross

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008


A man of culture leavesa remarkable legacy

A casual friendship that began

on a European cruise has

resulted in a multi-million

dollar gift for City of Hope.

Walter Oppenheimer,

who died in August at age

92, provided a $2 million

bequest in honor of his late

wife, Helga.

Throughout his life,

Oppenheimer supported

numerous academic andmedical centers. His

contributions to City of Hope

arose through a friendship with one of the institutions most

committed advocates, Andy Spiegl.

Oppenheimer first met Spiegl, a member of City of Hopes

medical center board of directors and board of regents, on a

cruise on the Danube River in the early 1990s. After the trip,

their friendship grew and Spiegl told the Oppenheimers about

City of Hope. Spiegl accompanied Oppenheimer on a campus

tour, where they visited the pediatric unit. The pair discussed

the institutions storied history within the Jewish community.

Not long after the tour, Oppenheimer made his financialcommitments to City of Hope.

The Oppenheimers enjoyed a full life together. After

immigrating to the United States in 1938, they settled in New

York City, and began working in retail. The couple later moved

to San Francisco, where they started a successful business. An

apparel designer by trade, Oppenheimer launched Helga Inc., a

line of womens special-occasion clothing, with his wife in 1947.

In the early 1950s, the two relocated to Los Angeles.

Throughout his career, Oppenheimer traveled extensively in

Europe and indulged a passion for art, collecting works by George

Braque, Pablo Picasso and other modern European masters.

Oppenheimer donated scores of valuable works of art to theHammer Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Oppenheimer collected not just art, but lifelong friends,

to which Spiegl readily attests. He was a very kind and fine

gentleman, Spiegl said. His warmth and generosity truly was

a gift to everyone he met.

Leading in philanthropyby example

City of Hope advocate

Joan Berlin Apel not

only survived cancer,

but also champions

research that may one

day cure the disease.

Her generosity

may bring that day

closer to reality.

Berlin Apel

recently made

an unrestricted$500,000 gift to

City of Hope. In

addition, she previously donated $100,000 to support

City of Hopes breast cancer research, treatment and

education efforts.

Her reasoning is simple: I want to help other people

lead healthier lives, and City of Hope is doing a wonderful

job at trying to find real cures for cancer, she said.

Both Berlin Apel and her husband, Marty Apel, are

longtime supporters of the institution. Berlin Apel was

introduced to the cancer center a decade ago when a

professional colleague invited her to attend a board ofgovernors meeting. She immediately was drawn to the

philosophy of the medical center and its emphasis on

research.

Although Berlin Apel already was supporting two other

hospitals at the time, she felt compelled to begin assisting

City of Hope. I really like how the institution operates how

it accepts many patients with cancer at advanced stages, and

provides renewed hope for such people, she said.

On a recent visit to campus, Berlin Apel learned for

herself about services provided at the Rita Cooper Finkel

and J. William Finkel Womens Health Center, from

screenings to counseling for women. The visit helped herbetter understand how her contribution will impact the lives

of women undergoing treatment. I know how devastating

breast cancer can be firsthand, she said. I knew that if I

wanted to impact how quickly research in this area would

progress, I had to get involved.

The altruistic couple has been married for three years

and resides in Los Angeles. Their family includes three

children, Tracy, Greg and Michelle, and two grandchildren,

Westly and Whitney.

Walter Oppenheimer Joan Berlin Apel and her husband, Marty

COU

RTESYOFPEEROPPENHEIMER

COU

RTESYOFTHEAPELFAMILY

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008

28/37

By Andy Ishii

He may be best known for

fighting terrorists on the hit

television show 24, but

now actor Kiefer Sutherland

is doing his part against a

different foe: cancer.Sutherland who plays agent

Jack Bauer on the FOX program has

recorded audio and video public service

announcements to support City of Hope.

In the spots, the Emmy and Golden

Globe award-winning actor describes the

advanced care and research available at

the institution.

Before STAR 98.7 FMs Lounge for

Life concert last year, which benefited

City of Hope, Sutherland was interviewed

on the radio stations morning show,

where he shared a personal story about

two of his closest friends, Chip and

Christina Russo. Both were diagnosed

with cancer in their 20s.

Christina Russo developed an

aggressive form of musculoskeletalcancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. The

pair sought opinions at numerous medical

institutions, where they received grim

prognoses. Eventually, they found

City of Hope, where she was treated.

The Russos now live free of cancer and

are proud parents something they

were told they never could be.

After the interview aired, City of Hope

contacted Bob Cook, president of FOX

Television and a City of Hope boardmember, to contact Sutherland and solicit

his support in creating a promotional spot.

Sutherland agreed.

With substantial support from Cook

and FOX TV, the production took place

soon after on the set of 24.

Both Christina and I were very

moved by the production and wish that

the message spreads hope to those who

need it most, said Chip Russo.

The promotional spots began airing last

year through a variety of outlets, includingClear Channel radio stations, Movie

Tunes and National CineMedia in-theater

advertising.

TV stars promos are SPOT ON

Actor Kiefer

Sutherland

talks about

his friends

treatment at

City of Hope

in a public

service

announcement.


Check out the new online versionof City News.City News can now be accessed online in an interactive, HTML format.

This new format allows you to quickly access news about City of Hopes

research, treatment and education programs, and enables you to easily share

articles about the institution with others:

Comment on articles and create dialog with other readers

Print and e-mail articles easily to your family, friends and colleagues

Incorporate RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds of City News

articles in your own blog or Web site

To see the online version of City News, go to www.cityofhope.org/citynews

7/31/2019 CN_Winter 2008


At the event, presented by sponsor AEG, Bob Cavallo, Disney

Music Group chair, received The Spirit of Life Award in recognition

of his numerous philanthropic and professional achievements.

Gala attendees enjoyed live performances by leading musical

acts, such as the Plain White Ts, Rascal Flatts and Grace Potter

and TheNocturnals . Hollywood Records artist Hilary Duff

introduced the bands.

I am honored to be a part of this outstanding group

whose support of City of Hope dates back more than 30 years,

said Cavallo. City of Hopes mission of scientific discovery is

unparalleled, and the dedication of their physicians, researchers

and staff is an inspiration to me and to everyone in the industry

who supported this campaign. I am thrilled to have been a part

of its success.

Since its inception 34 years ago, the Music and Entertainment

Industry group has grown to include all the major mus

CN_Winter 2008

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