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A Fortunate Life...

A Fight Against Cancer

by Kristi Krupala

Glenn SmithGlenn and Judy Smith are quick to say that they have been very fortunate in their lives. They have two daughters, two granddaughters and a successful business, Smith Production, Inc., a private mid-size oil exploration and production company.

Their lives have not, however, been without hardship. Fifteen years ago, Judy Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer. While she has been cancer-free for a long time, she has never forgotten the ordeal, and both she and her husband have taken an active role in the fight against breast cancer.

They have supported breast cancer awareness and prevention for several years through the Susan G. Komen Foundation, but only recently became involved with BCM through Jane Marmion, a friend and former classmate of the Smiths, who introduced them to the Pink Ribbon House project benefiting the BCM Breast Center in 2004. They also had the opportunity to meet met C. Kent Osborne, M.D., Director of the Baylor Cancer Center and of the Breast Center.

Impressed with Osborne and his team's work, the Smiths have contributed a total of $1.65 million in support of the Breast Center and the Pink Ribbon House. Each gift has been made in honor of Judy Smith and the Smiths' daughters and granddaughters. Judy Smith also has become actively involved with the College's Breast Center Advisory Council, which helps with breast cancer fundraising and awareness efforts.

"After meeting with Dr. Osborne, visiting the Breast Center, and meeting the staff, Judy and I knew that we wanted to do what we could to support BCM's cutting-edge research that has, as its ultimate goal, finding a cure for breast cancer," said Glenn Smith. "His passion, intellect, and determination give us hope that that cure is around the corner."

For his part, Osborne remains grateful to the Smiths, stating his belief that private philanthropy and personal commitment are critical to the success of breast cancer research.

"The Smiths personify both these elements in the truest sense, and all of us at Baylor College of Medicine and the Breast Center truly appreciate their support," said Osborne.

Breast Center an In-SPORE-ation

The Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine is nationally recognized for its efforts in the area of breast cancer research. In December 2003, the Center's SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) Grant was renewed for five more years. The SPORE, a large government-supported, multi-part program that grants funds for translational research, helps facilitate the rapid and efficient transfer of laboratory findings into improved methods of prevention and treatment for patients.

Osborne's group has contributed significantly to the current knowledge base in a number of critical areas including:

  • mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance and the development of new drugs to reverse this resistance
  • premalignant breast disease
  • estrogen receptor function
  • molecular genetics of breast cancer
  • breast cancer prevention
  • prognostic and predictive biomarkers for the disease
  • heat shock proteins in breast cancer pathogenesis and drug resistance
  • molecular profiling of ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer
  • growth factor biology
  • targeted cancer therapies
  • clinical trials of new treatment strategies to slow the progression of breast cancer

For information about opportunities to support the Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine, please contact Kaiti Kling, director of development at 713-798-4058 or ekling@bcm.edu.

 

Patient Care

BCM Wired

50 Ways to Love your Liver

Research

Pandemic Prevention

The Next Step in Cancer Research

Education

There's no Place like Home

Getting Versed in Diversity

Half a Century Later... They're Still Giving Back

Osler's Ivy

Community Service

From Despair to Hope: BCM Responds to Katrina

No Calm from the Storm

School Away from School

Alumni & Development

The Vietnamese Cowboy and the Race Car Driver

A Legacy of Giving

A Fortunate Life... A Fight Against Cancer

College News

A New Door for the East Campus

New Museum to Showcase Maestro of Medicine

 

Baylor College of Medicine: Making a Difference in the Community

 

     
 

Volume 1, Issue 3, Fall 2005

   
 

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  Last modified: October 10, 2008