Today Eva and I attended a special dinner and educational session for prostate cancer patients and caregivers at the Fox Chase Cancer Center. The dinner was in the cafeteria, the same place where I first talked to Eva some 45 years ago, when we were both young research technicians working in the Division of Clinical Research. At the time, it was called the Institute for Cancer Research. The division was headed by Nobel laureate Baruch (Barry) Blumberg, who was recognized for discovering the Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, which led to the development of the Hepatitis B Vaccine. Eva’s lab was right next to his office. it was surreal to be back in the cafeteria after so many decades; it looked the same. We were dying to wander the hallways and check out where our labs used to be, but we couldn’t get past the “Fox Chase staff only” signs. We worked there, ate there, played frisbee at lunch and softball after work. Even before I met Eva, I spent 4 summers there during college on the maintenance crew, buffing floors, changing light bulbs, painting stairwells, cleaning bathrooms, etc. I know that building inside and out. So many memories!
The session started with an introduction by the head of Urology at Fox Chase, Dr. Alex Kutikov. He started by talking about the time he was a young doctor, and someone asked him to take a long lunch, then drove him to Northeast Philadelphia to an area called “Fox Chase”. There he was introduced to the world-renowned Baruch Blumberg. Eva and were jumping out of our seats in the crowded auditorium. We were clearly the only ones who knew who he was, and were the only people clapping when he mentioned Dr. Blumberg. Dr. Kutikov said, “I think it’s fair to say that Baruch prevented more cancer deaths than any person who’s ever lived.” He went on to talk about his background and what an honor it was to meet him, and there was then no doubt he would be coming to Fox Chase after that lunch meeting. Dr. Blumberg continued to work well into his 80s. He died at the age of 85 just after giving a keynote address at the NASA Lunar Science Institute, where he served as a distinguished scientist. I was honored to go to his funeral when he passed in 2011. It almost brought me to tears to hear his name again in the same building where Eva and I worked with him and shared tea with him at break time every afternoon, even though no one else in the auditorium knew his name.
I always feel I’m getting good care at Fox Chase, but today’s session reiterated that fact. From its founding in 1904 as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase Cancer Center’s legacy continues with a broad range of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research as well as special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship and community outreach. In 1974, Fox Chase Cancer Center was one of the first centers to earn the comprehensive designation from the National Cancer Institute, the federal government agency responsible for leading the nation’s cancer enterprise. Fox Chase physicians and researchers are frequently involved in setting new guidelines for breakthrough medicine and comprehensive care. In 1995, Fox Chase Cancer Center became a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an organization of the world’s leading cancer centers dedicated to setting acceptable standards of best clinical practice in oncology. All of the doctors spoke about why they came to Fox Chase, and how uniquely collaborative the various teams are in patient care.
Much of the session was geared to Q&A. I always find it very informative to hear from other patients- many on active surveillance, like me, and others who have been treated for extensive metastatic disease. I always pay attention to their stories, particularly severe side effects some have experienced from surgery or radiation therapy, and the corresponding feedback from the oncologists. I try to stay informed so I will know what to ask should I need treatment at some point. I find the dialog with other patients to be very helpful.
It was a wonderful event. I just wish I knew where the past 45 years have gone…
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