I hope you had a good (though no doubt chilly) weekend!
Last week began with the observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, then was bookended by snowstorms. I had unexpected opportunities to work on a new R01 submission that is shaping up nicely. Although Grand Rounds by Dr. Barbara Burtness had to be done virtually due to Friday’s snowstorm, I was delighted to meet with her and then attend her presentation. I had the privilege of recruiting Barbara from Yale to Fox Chase when I worked there; she actually covered my patients for me a few times. She left Fox Chase a few years after I did and returned to Yale. Her career, which was already ascendant, has really gone into hyperdrive, and her presentation was spectacular. I very much enjoyed catching up with her. She epitomizes the value of the translational physician investigator.
In other news, it’s hard to believe that it’s time to renew our focus on BellRinger! Last October’s ride was an unqualified success and serves as a motivator for BellRinger 2024, which will be held this October.
BellRinger is not a race, it is a ride. It is a ride, and yet it’s more than that — it is the realization of our passionate commitment to end cancer as we know it. Georgetown University’s ambitious Capital Campaign is known as “Called to Be”; we are “Called to Cure.” In 2024, 2 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, and just over 600,000 will lose their battle with the disease. This 70% cure rate represents a remarkable improvement in survival since 1971, when President Nixon declared a war on cancer, and much of that improvement has occurred in the last 25 years.
With continued research to find new treatments, earlier detection and better cancer prevention strategies, we are poised to accelerate this progress. But it cannot happen without money. And this is where BellRinger comes in. Funds raised by the ride support cancer research at Georgetown Lombardi, filling in the critical gaps that are not covered by grants, foundations and other forms of philanthropy. BellRinger funds fuel our discoveries.
BellRinger is more than a ride, it is a mission — a mission to support clinical trials, new recruits and early stage investigators. Importantly, it is an absolute blast, a great ride with top-notch organization, great support and wonderful food. It engages our community in new ways as we take action (in the form of both pedaling and raising money!), and together we make a difference. Each one of us can help — as a rider, fundraiser or volunteer. Last year, we had almost a thousand riders, and this year we want to blow past that number and have at least 1,200 riders.
Kickoff activities start this week. Please get ready to sign up, form or join a team and prepare for a great ride in October!
Stay safe and be well.
Lou
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