Cuing Bachman Turner Overdrive…
So first I have to introduce you to Jaynie – my partner in the MetsMobile for the next week or so. Jaynie and I are working on the third decade of our friendship and we are both giddy about having this time together. (Thanks to John, Jonathan, Zach, Julia & Joelle for helping make it happen – we love you guys!!).
Right now we’re passing the Winery Outlet in Ellsworth, Kansas – two of our favorite things all rolled into one! (No, we didn’t stop…) and reflecting on yesterday and the work ahead.
Danny Welch, PhD (METAvivor’s Scientific Advisor and our first-ever funded researcher) hosted us at the Kansas University Cancer Center. Our morning began with breakfast and a briefing from CJ about how METAvivor came to be and the importance of the niche we fill in funding peer-review research grants that benefit the MBC patient. Following that, we were treated to a number of updates about the research being conducted at this world-class center, from mutant p53 to mitochondrial DNA, from metastatic suppressors to progression predictors, and from mets colonization to drug resistance. In all, we heard from 6 scientists, both seasoned and emerging.
After our briefing we sat down with a team from the Cancer Center to discuss their innovations in patient care, as well as the unique needs of metastatic patients. One particularly interesting comment was CJ’s observation about the many, many resources cancer and support centers provide early stage patients, despite the reality that metastatic patients are in care for the rest of their lives. We learned how comprehensive the Nurse Navigator program offered at KUCC is, and the special care they take with MBC patients. After a tour of their facility, we met with Moira Mulhern, PhD, founder of Turning Point, a hospital-affiliated program that provides comprehensive support program that supports the whole person in mastering critical skills helpful in living a full life. (P.S. I’d LOVE one near me!)
After a long day we spent the evening enjoy the company of Dr. Welch and the rest of the C2C team before packing up. CJ and Beth are on their way home, and Jaynie and I continue to make our way from Kansas City to Denver.
We’ll catch up again soon!
