There was a mid-1960’s political satire show, aired on one of the major networks, called “That Was the Week That Was,” based on a BBC show, both of which starred David Frost. For some reason I still remember the theme song (it started with, “That was the week that was, it’s over, and it’s done”), and its memory always surfaces after I’ve had a big week.
The big week started on Sunday evening as we hosted our External Advisory Committee meeting dinner at a local restaurant. Our pleasure at being together to celebrate our CCSG renewal, with our EAC’s support, and to welcome some new members of that body was muted because one of the EAC members slipped by the hotel elevator, fell, and ended up at the GW Emergency Room with what turned out to be a fractured femur. She is recovering following surgery and should be heading home soon. I was able to walk to the hospital from the dinner to check on her condition, and was grateful the injury was not more serious.
The EAC meeting that followed was quite successful. The EAC was certainly very complimentary but, as I had hoped, it provided us with insightful comments to help us refine our strategic response to the CCSG Summary Statement. Kudos to Sharon Levy and her administrative team for organizing a seamless EAC meeting that maximized the efficiency of the event.
After an internal debrief I headed up to Gaithersburg for the pre-meeting dinner for the NCI Cancer Center Directors meeting. It was great to be together as a group after a long interval, and I drove home in time to watch the second half of the Eagles’ deflating last-minute loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. It’s early, but the Eagles do not have the look of champions thus far.
On Tuesday I headed up to Shady Grove for the actual NCI Cancer Center Directors meeting, led for the first time by the recently appointed NCI Director, Dr. Kimryn Rathmell. She is the real deal — smart, incredibly accomplished, and excited by the opportunity to serve, rather than by the glory of the job. It was a remarkable, empowering meeting, very unlike previous meetings, which were more focused on information dissemination to the directors. In other words, it was a real breath of fresh air. By the time I got home, I needed a rest!
Alas, no rest for the weary. Wednesday was an ordinarily busy workday, and I then headed to Andrew Mellon Hall for the annual Hyundai Hope On Wheels (HHOW) event for pediatric cancer research. This was a special event, as Jeff Toretsky was announced as HHOW’s inaugural Endowed Professor in recognition of his extraordinary work and commitment to pediatric cancer research. Please join me in congratulating Jeff on this notable accomplishment!
This event is always marked by powerful stories that inspire. This year the HHOW Youth Ambassadors collaborated to write the lyrics of a song about their cancer journeys with the acclaimed performer Jax. They performed the song live at the event with Jax. It was so moving; there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
After another busy workday on Thursday, Harriet and I then went to the annual Friends of Cancer Research. I had a brief chat with Dr. Kim Rathmell there, because we have the honor of hosting her visit to Georgetown this coming Thursday, thanks to her acceptance of Moshe Levi’s invitation to speak here. We are planning a great afternoon for her, which will be marked by her lecture, “Further, Faster: Working Together to End Cancer As We Know It,” in the New Research Building at 4:00 p.m., followed by a reception at 5:00 p.m. on the Podium level of the NRB. Except for our New Jersey colleagues, there will not be a Zoom option. Please make every attempt to attend in person. We want a full auditorium to honor her visit. After all, one never gets a second chance to make a first impression!
Fortunately, I have no work-related evening events to attend until Saturday. I look forward to eating a bit less and resting just a bit more! Somehow, we are getting a grant out the door now, and I have no shortage of other work obligations that need my attention.
See you on Thursday afternoon!
And, as always, make the world a better place this week. Cancer’s not over, and we are not done.
Lou
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