CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS ARE OUR STANDARD OF CARE
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS ARE OUR STANDARD OF CARE
Welcome to the O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center ’ s 2024 magazine . In this issue , we share some of our most recent efforts in pursuit of our mission : To advance our understanding of cancer to improve prevention , detection , treatment and survivorship for all people .
Our mission may sound broad , but it ’ s one that touches on the many aspects of what it means to be a National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center .
People always ask what this designation means . It means that we have a mandate to not only investigate this complex disease to advance the knowledge on how to best tackle cancer , but we also train the next generation of cancer researchers , serve as a trusted source of education about cancer prevention and screening for our region and treat our patients with the latest advancements in cancer care . We must meet stringent requirements to apply for our NCI support grant every five years , and we ’ re proud to say that we ’ ve been continuously funded by the NCI for more than 50 years . In fact , we ’ re the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Alabama and a four-state region .
Last summer we launched a new celebration that shines a spotlight on our cancer clinical trials efforts , which are critical to our mission . The 2023 O ’ Neal Iron Strong Awards ceremony was an opportunity to gather cancer survivors , as well as their families and physicians , to recognize their resilience and dedication while dealing with a difficult personal journey . The theme of this inaugural event was “ Difficulties do not deter us ” — which also happens to be the title of our cover story , where we take a closer look at these nine survivors . Joining us not just from Birmingham , but also from Huntsville , Anniston , Gadsden , Talladega , and even as far away as Jackson , Mississippi , these cancer survivors are a small but representative sample of the many patients each year who elect to participate in cancer research . They have helped our clinician-scientists continue to advance the field of cancer care in so many ways . But beyond this , the new treatments they received on these trials altered their own cancer journeys . We are so grateful to be able to share their stories . They serve as an inspiration to us , and we hope they will be an inspiration to you too .
We also take a closer look at the important relationships among our researchers . When our investigators work together , they have a better chance at solving complex problems by capitalizing on each others ’ strengths . We are proud of the innovation and inquiry taking place here , and we hope to encourage this even more each year by funding projects through the O ’ Neal Invests program . This funding initiative aims to promote excellence in the areas of basic , population and translational science research . It supports novel ideas with considerable promise and potential impact in the field of cancer care .
We have accomplished a lot in recent years . I see opportunities , thanks to the generosity of so many committed members of the community who help us achieve our goals with their generous financial support . “ Difficulties do not deter us ” — this phrase is a guiding principle inspired by the O ’ Neal family , as you ’ ll learn in the pages of this magazine . There are opportunities to accomplish even more in the coming years if we stay focused on this principle , as well as my own personal mantra : “ Just do great things .”
BARRY SLECKMAN , M . D ., PH . D . Director , O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center