The Conquest of Cancer

Through Research

 

May 2021 eNews

       Three Wood Hudson UREP students presented their research at the 16th Annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition on May 21st.  Anna Oliverio, Angel Rapp, and Brianna Hoegermeyer, all Thomas More University students and Undergraduate Research and Education Program (UREP) participants, entered their research project entitled “Phosphoserine Phosphatase (PSPH) Expression and Breast Cancer Progression in Women.”  The students studied the serine biosynthesis pathway in surgical specimens of breast cancer.  These data are consistent with the conclusion that increased serine biosynthesis is essential in the initiation, development, and progression of breast cancer in women.  See a video here to hear the students talk about their project.

       This breast cancer research at Wood Hudson is supported by the I Have Wings Breast Cancer Foundation.  UREP student research is supported by donors like you as well as the R.C. Durr Foundation, PNC Charitable Trusts, and the ChemED Foundation.

       We are grateful to Dr. Ron Snyder, a member of the Wood Hudson Board of Trustees, for his recent, very generous matching gift of $5,000.  Thanks to you and your generous donations, we have met the match and accomplished the goal of raising $10,000 for Wood Hudson Cancer Research Lab!  Thank you very much to all who stepped up and gave to this urgent work.  We are humbled by your generosity and recognize our responsibility to you to accomplish our mission of continuing cancer research and education.  Thank you for making our work possible.  

       Wood Hudson Cancer Research Lab is excited to offer our Undergraduate Research and Education Program (UREP) again for the summer of 2021!  We have 17 students from local universities participating in the virtual program, which is ongoing from May 10th to August 13th.  

       Last year's summer program was a giant step into the future.  The world-wide pandemic forced us to modify UREP to a virtual program, and thanks to our dedicated scientists and instructors, it worked wonderfully.  See video.  

       Already summer 2021 UREP is off and running.  After a two-day orientation, all 17 students attended the Undergraduate Student Caucus of the AACR’s Annual Meeting on May 12th, 14th, and 21st.  They received insights on career choices and educational pathways and attended undergraduate research poster sessions.  May 17th-21st, the students attended talks given by distinguished scientists doing cancer research.  Each student chose talks that were especially applicable to his or her summer capstone project, and the students reported on the five most interesting and educational talks as they related to their specific areas of interest.  This was truly a unique opportunity for these students as the AACR Annual Meeting was a virtual event, and was offered to all undergraduate students free of charge. 

       Now the UREP students are settling into the rest of the program.  They are spending their Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays together (online) studying cancer biology, presenting chapters from the textbook, and listening to guest speakers who are selected from the Wood Hudson Board of Trustees and other collaborators.  They are viewing virtual demonstrations of research techniques and presenting journal articles.  For their final projects, each student will design an experiment that addresses a Provocative Question from the National Institute of Health.  They will present written and oral reports.  This challenging program gives students the opportunity to learn and to think critically, and it prepares them to go far in careers in health and science.  

       Wood Hudson has provided the Undergraduate Research and Education Program (UREP) since 1982, and has trained nearly 350 students in the cancer research field.  75% of UREP students have gone on to become doctors, Ph.D scientists, and other medical and science professionals.  The research experience gives them an upper-hand in their studies, as well as when they apply to medical school, graduate school, or other advanced programs.  We are providing a critical experience to our rising generation of doctors and scientists, as they go forward in the fight against cancer and provide health care to communities near and far.

       UREP students are paid for their time, and each student earns approximately $2,800 during the summer program.  We couldn’t provide this program without donors like you!  Please help us continue offering this valuable program by making a donation HERE.  UREP is also funded through grants from PNC Charitable Trusts, the R.C. Durr Foundation, and the ChemED Foundation.  We thank these organizations for their support.

       May is National Cancer Research month and is supported in the United States Congress between the Senate and the House of Representatives.  It is a time to highlight the vital role of study and experimentation in the quest for cancer cures.  Cancer kills over 600,000 Americans each year.

       The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) supports National Cancer Research Month to highlight the importance of lifesaving research to the millions of people around the world affected by the collection of devastating diseases we call cancer. 

       Thanks to spectacular advances in cancer research, more than 16.9 million people in the United States and millions more around the world are living with, through, and beyond their diagnoses. Despite that progress, far too many people continue to suffer and die due to these diseases.

       You can make a difference by making a donation to Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory, where we are working toward the conquest of cancer through research.  

       Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon is here! Run your virtual race between May 1st and June 15th.  Click here for virtual race FAQs.  

       To run in support of Wood Hudson Cancer Research:

1.   Call the Lab at (859) 581-7249 for a discount code. 

2.   Select Wood Hudson Cancer Research as your charity when registering. Your race will be discounted and a portion of your race fees will benefit Wood Hudson. 

3.   Register here.       

        Wood Hudson has been involved in the marathon for fifteen years, and it is one of our top fundraising events. Because of COVID, the Flying Pig is a virtual race this spring. Although we all miss the energy and excitement of an in-person race, don’t let that hold you back!  Are you in Florida? Run the Flying Pig there! Are you in New Jersey? Run the Flying Pig there!  Don’t miss out on your medal and your new race shirt!  Run for a great cause.  Run for a cure!

       The in-person race will “take flight” the last weekend in October.  Get ready to run and call the lab for the discount code which is the same for the spring and the fall races.

Mark your calendars: the Ft. Thomas Corvette Club Car Show is back!  Saturday, August 14, 2021, rain or shine, join us at Hofbrauhaus in Newport (200 Third Street, Newport, KY) for the 20th Annual Ft. Thomas Corvette Club Car Show.  The proceeds of this exciting show are donated to Wood Hudson Cancer Research, and we can’t thank the Ft. Thomas Corvette Club enough!  Come and see the beautiful cars, have some great food, and listen to music by DJ Ray.  If you are ready to come out again, we’ll be happy to see you there!