I hope everyone is enjoying the perfect fall weather this week. I’ve been pretty busy, starting with last Saturday. In the morning, I participated in a really interesting and useful symposium for GI cancer patients and their families sponsored by the Ruesch Center. I tried to put some of the research I do into a context that makes sense for the lay public. On a related note, I drove up to Philadelphia last Monday afternoon; I was invited to speak at the high school our sons attended to discuss my research interests and career in oncology. I really enjoy doing these types of talks, and feel physicians and scientists should spend more time engaging the public. After all, when all is said and done, our patients and the taxpayers are our major constituencies. We really should be making common cause with them.
The Lombardi Gala was on Saturday evening, and I think it was a terrific success. There were more than 1,000 attendees, and while we are still awaiting the final tally, I know that we raised a lot of money, too. This year marked the return of some Redskins greats, and their participation really enlivened the event. We had to the opportunity to honor John Potter to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Lombardi’s founding, and I hope it was as special for him as it was for all of us. I sat with Vince Lombardi, Jr. (the coach’s grandson), and asked him for his interpretation of the phrase, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” Vince, Jr. is not sure his grandfather ever actually said that (the message does not stand up to linguistic analysis very well) but agrees that it was adopted by Coach Lombardi and interpreted to mean that winning is a byproduct of maximum effort and commitment. I think we can all relate to that concept. At any rate, in my brief remarks I did my own interpretation: “Beating cancer is our only thing.”
The Silent Auction was huge this year, and I successfully bid on two tickets for this Monday night’s football game between the Redskins and some team from Philadelphia. I ended up overpaying for the tickets because a certain former Lombardi Interim Director (in this case TD does not stand for Touchdown!) wanted to be sure Lombardi got as much money as possible from the auction, and bid against me to drive up the winning price. I am plotting my revenge, though. I am deeply grateful to Elena Jeannotte and all of the members of Lombardi’s Development team who were simply magnificent. They reflect well on all of us, and the funds they help raise are critically important to supporting our research mission.
Finally, I’d like to congratulate Clinton Finch, database manager for the Cancer Control Program, for being awarded this year’s Information Security Recognition Award by the University Information Security Office (UISO). This award was established in 2008 to recognize faculty and staff from across Georgetown who go above and beyond the call of duty to foster cybersecurity. We’re proud that this year’s awardee was one of our own!
Have a nice weekend.