Working Together Against Cancer

We cannot begin a new year without first reflecting on the accomplishments of the previous year. We are able to start fresh with hope and positivity because of the collaborative efforts of so many people across the American Association for Cancer Research® (AACR) community. I recently had an inspiring and emotional conversation with (1) Mike Hugo, a patient who turned his glioblastoma diagnosis into a reminder to enjoy each possible moment with his family. Mike is making sure that, regardless of his personal cancer outcome, he will be present for his daughters’ futures through notes, cards, and video recordings. You can hear his story and catch up on all past conversations with other survivors, researchers, and medical professionals on the Believe in Progress podcast. We have even more stories of hope and research-driven progress against cancer planned for the upcoming year.

Another example of perseverance and inspiration can be found in the story of (2) Joe Fornasiero, whose diagnosis of a rare cancer called desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT) led him to the AACR and to start a do-it-yourself fundraising campaign targeted on continuing research into this devastating disease. Friends and family rallying around a loved one is also central to the story of (3) Team Papa, Su Su!, the top fundraising team from the 2024 AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk during the AACR Annual Meeting 2024 in San Diego last April.

During every Annual Meeting, deserving researchers at every career stage across the range of cancer sciences are presented with AACR grants and awards. One such recognition, the Gertrude B. Elion Award, is presented through a longstanding partnership with GlaxoSmithKline. Recipients have used the funds granted with the award to explore lifesaving cancer research, but also to leverage additional funding and advance their careers in the cancer sciences. They’ve published multiple scientific papers and presented on cancer-related topics at conferences. One even served later as AACR president.

Members often remain engaged with the AACR for the duration of their careers and even after retirement, showing their deep commitment to finding better ways to prevent, detect, and treat all cancer types until a cure is discovered. (4) Beatrice Mintz, PhD, was one such member, a Fellow of the AACR whose scientific career spanned seven decades. Much of her work served as the foundation for other discoveries. While the AACR and the scientific community were deeply saddened by her death in 2022, progress against cancer remains her legacy. We are so grateful for the generous gift Dr. Mintz left to the AACR in her estate plans.

As the cancer journey often has ups and downs, we spent time over the past year celebrating. At the annual Friends of the AACR Foundation Party with a Purpose gala in October, we raised funds and acknowledged the achievements of three special individuals for their efforts to advance cancer research: (5) former Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter; (6) Andrew E. Chapman, DO; and (7) Kuang-Yi Wen, PhD. I was also honored to be the recipient of a Game Changer Award at the
4th Annual Sneaker Ball hosted by longtime AACR supporters (8) Rodney and Erika McLeod and their Change Our Future Fund. Both events show that when a community comes together, great things can be accomplished.

As you read through the articles in this issue of Leading Discoveries, I hope you see that progress against cancer takes a collective effort. AACR leadership, members, researchers, medical professionals, survivors, patients, their families and friends, generous individuals, and partners across the world: It will take all of us working together
to reach a future free from the burden of cancer.