As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the holidays that follow, we pause and reflect on the many blessings that we enjoy.
In my case, I am thankful to be part of an effort that improves the lives of others. I hear extraordinary stories every day about the path our patients endured after their diagnosis as well as the uplifting stories of alumni who are able to continue living their lives to the fullest. I’m thankful for our patients and alumni whose commitment to a cancer-free future is a true inspiration. I’m thankful for our wonderful staff and volunteers who selflessly work daily miracles. And last but certainly not least, I’m thankful for our supporters in our community and throughout the world that help spread the word about the power of proton therapy. Their generosity provides resources and donations that support the research and treatment performed every day at UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.
Through our collective efforts, the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute has been a welcoming place for the past 10 years where those diagnosed with cancer can receive the treatment they need and a hope for a bright future. Again, my heartfelt thanks and wishes for a wonderful start to the holiday season.
Stuart L. Klein
By BeckyLynn Schroeder
As a registered nurse, Peter Lowry knew his symptoms meant something was wrong with his liver. He never expected to hear that the liver problem was actually caused by a tumor in his pancreas blocking the biliary duct. Peter first underwent surgery, but because of the location of the tumor it could not be removed entirely. His surgeon gave him months to live. But Peter sought a second opinion, which led him to a clinical trial conducted by Dr. R. Charles Nichols, Jr., associate professor of radiation oncology at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. Peter became one of the first pancreatic cancer patients at the Institute to have an aggressive treatment combination of proton therapy and chemotherapy. Peter’s pancreatic cancer was already at a stage three and classified as “incurable,” however he was able to tolerate the amount of radiation needed to kill the cancer cells because of the targeted precision of the proton beam that spared healthy surrounding tissues. Today, Peter is living without any detectable cancer, has celebrated one more year of life and looks forward to many more.
Hear more of Peter’s story in this video.
By Theresa Edwards Makrush
It started with a nagging cough. Conscientious about her health, Nancy Baker sought medical advice, and for three years her cough was treated as an allergy symptom. She eventually went to a pulmonologist and discovered in 2014 that she had lung cancer. A tumor was located in the center of her chest – in her lung and wrapped around her heart. It was not possible to surgically remove the tumor because of its location, so chemotherapy with radiation therapy was recommended as the course of treatment. Nancy had worked as an emergency room nurse at both UF Health and Baptist Health, and she understood the potential side effects of treatment. “I just knew I didn’t want traditional radiation,” she said.
She met with Dr. Bradford Hoppe, associate professor of radiation oncology at UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, who believed proton therapy could help her. She said, “Dr. Hoppe fought with the insurance companies and was turned down three times. Then a clinical trial came up.” It was a cooperative group trial being done at cancer centers across the country and it would mean the treatment would only be available through a randomized flip of the coin. Nancy enrolled in the trial and was randomly selected to receive proton therapy.
Nancy said the doctors and staff made her feel at ease during a very trying time. “These people treat you like you’re royalty. People know your name when you come for your appointment. Even two years later, they know who I am. If I had to have cancer, this is the place to have it.”
Not too long after she completed treatment, she resumed her normal active lifestyle: golfing, tennis and bowling. Now, two years later, she is still going strong. She said, “I can’t thank UF Health and Dr. Hoppe enough for saving my life.”
By BeckyLynn Schroeder
Cancer Free. That is the hope of many people that walk through our doors every day. Thanks to the support of many, the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute continues to advance cancer treatment and research that changes lives for the better.
November 15 is recognized as National Philanthropy Day® and we’d like to celebrate by thanking the many cancer survivors, family, friends and others who support our mission to offer cancer patients the best chance of cure with the least chance of side effects.
Every philanthropic act – big or small – has an enormous impact on the program and spirit at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. Some of our young alumni have been busy “paying it forward,” giving to others in response to kindness shown to them, to spread the hope of a cancer-free future:
Rebecca Duff came to the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute from Scotland. She was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumor at 20 years old. Prior to her diagnosis, Rebecca and some friends formed a group and began organizing fundraising activities for a friend receiving cancer treatments. When Rebecca found out about her brain tumor, the group was keen to continue the fundraising efforts to give back.
“I wanted to do something to give back to the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute because it was a fantastic place that made me feel safe and welcome while undergoing treatment,” Rebecca recalls.
Exploring her adventurous side, Rebecca and her friends had been raising money through various activities, including skydiving, to give back. They also created and sold wrist bands and held a coffee event. Earlier this year, Rebecca handed over a big check for £650 (or approximately $805 US dollars) representing the money she had raised to help others like her receive cancer treatment.
Rebecca and her group of friends are continuing their passion to help people who are going through similar experiences and will continue to hold fundraising events, including a masquerade ball and ladies’ night event.
Jake Teitelbaum was diagnosed with refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 21. He battled through rounds of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant then, shortly after his 22nd birthday, Jake underwent proton therapy. Throughout treatment, Jake met other people dealing with cancer that did not have as many resources as he did. While a chronic illness takes a toll on a person’s body, Jake believes it shouldn’t also have a debilitating impact economically. He came up with an idea – a sock business called Resilience – that will help fund cancer treatment expenses for people in need. A portion of the proceeds goes directly to a specific financially-strapped patient Jake has partnered with. Resilience was officially launched in September of this year and has already raised more than $800 for Resilience’s first recipient, a 14-year-old boy who has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Jake says that he is excited to launch another custom sock design and will announce the second recipient this month. As Resilience grows, Jake also plans to branch out and help people with other illnesses in addition to cancer.
As Jake says, “The Resilience project is about fighting to become stronger. Stronger in body. Stronger in mind. Stronger in spirit. It’s about embracing terrible circumstances to learn and grow as a person. It’s about sending support, love, and of course, awesome socks, to someone who needs it.”
Nia Taylor-Jones, a 13-year-old from Wales in the United Kingdom, stopped by for a visit the week before Halloween to deliver sacks brimming with candy. She and her family were vacationing in Orlando and on their last day made a special trip to Jacksonville to deliver the treats along with a plaque of appreciation. She remembered the fun Halloween activities for children while she was on treatment for an orbital tumor in 2012. Now, four years later, she wanted to give something back and show her appreciation for all the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute has meant to her.
Nia, her grandmother Lynette Goddard, and her uncle James Taylor-Goddard presented a plaque to Daniel Indelicato, MD, associate professor of radiation oncology at UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and director of the pediatric program, Amy Sapp, RN, director of pediatric nursing, and Kimberly Ely, child life specialist. The plaque reads: “Nia Taylor-Jones & her family would like to dedicate this with love & affection to our friends at the Jacksonville Proton Therapy Institute for making a difficult time so easy to deal with.”
To learn more about how to support the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, please visit: www.floridaproton.org/news/give-support.
By Theresa Edwards Makrush
The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute presented its 2016 Excellence Award to Roscoe Barksdale during a ceremony earlier this month. The award was established last year to recognize someone within the proton family, for example, employees, vendors, philanthropists or volunteers, who has made a significant contribution to the culture of excellence and patient care at the Institute.
Roscoe joined the Institute several years ago as a G4S private security guard working Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Since day one, he has gone above and beyond the call of duty and demonstrated a commitment to excellence that is exemplary.
He doesn’t stop with his duties of keeping patients and staff safe, but also looks out for the welfare of each person. In typical Roscoe fashion, he downplayed his contribution by saying, “I basically fit in and try to be of service if needed.” Executive Director Stuart Klein in his remarks said, “I can tell you from personal experience that Roscoe more than fits it. He has become, in many ways, the face of the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. We conduct exit interviews with nearly every patient, and one of the first comments patients make is how Roscoe greeted them every day and made them feel welcome.”
Roscoe is a people person. He goes out of his way to smile and chat with everyone. He said helping people get in a good mood goes a long way to how they do with their treatment. Roscoe doesn’t like to see sad faces so he does what he can to be cheerful to help motivate patients to do what they have to do to get well.
As one patient wrote: “Dear Roscoe: You are one of the reasons why I have found Florida Proton so comforting. Wishing you the best.”
By BeckyLynn Schroeder
Exceptional health care is the result of a team of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals working together toward a common goal. In our case it is the goal of a cancer-free future with minimal chance of side effects.
In honor of National Radiologic Technology Week® (Nov. 6-12), we would like to recognize and thank all of the radiologic technologists at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute for their dedication and passion, making this hope a reality for our patients and alumni. The designated week raises awareness of the important role medical imaging and radiation therapists have in patient treatment and care. They are the ones responsible for operating the equipment, for preparing and positioning patients for each treatment and scan, and for helping patients feel at ease during the procedures.
Throughout the week, UF Health Proton Therapy Institute physicians and staff show their appreciation through a variety of ways to help the therapists know how important they are to the Institute and to the profession.
The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute is proud to honor and recognize the incredible work each staff member makes in the lives of our patients and alumni.
The celebration continues in honor of the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute’s 10th anniversary. Alumni, family, friends and other members of the community are coming together to celebrate continued health and the advancement of proton therapy. The next event will take place on November 17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel on the Jacksonville Riverfront. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Each event includes fun games and prizes, massages, information on living a healthy lifestyle from a number of community resources and UF Health representatives, and how and why clinical research plays an important role at UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. The event will also have opportunities to raise support for these research efforts.
We look forward to seeing you there.
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Cancer Support Ministry Group Presentation
1st United Methodist Church of Punta Gorda, FL
Virtual Event via Zoom
Event Registration: clmershell@floridaproton.org
LUNA Cancer Support Group
Presenter: Raymond Mailhot, MD
Tampa, FL
The Precision Newsletter is an electronic-only publication that is distributed by email. Each issue is sent monthly to patients, alumni patients and friends of the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute. As the official newsletter of the Institute, the content is compiled and prepared by our communications representative and approved by the editor Stuart Klein, executive director of UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. Special bulletin newsletters may occasionally be prepared when timely topics and new developments in proton therapy occur. If you would like to send a Letter to the Editor, please click here.
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