Forward Momentum continued
the Scott & White Healthcare Foundation , referring to the integration of the research and clinical activities that facilitate a “ bench to bedside ” approach . This is a collaboration among scientists and caregivers to test a given therapy , such as a medication that shows promise in a laboratory setting , and deliver it quickly to a patient who agrees to
participate in a clinical trial in the hopes that the therapy will prove to be effective . “ This approach at Scott & White is unique ,” says Dr . Knight . “ With the funding and the research , we ’ re able to close a critical gap in taking a promising therapy to patients ’ bedsides from 14 years to just four . Philanthropy makes the difference .”
Understanding the immune system response Of the total grant , $ 2 million will be used to conduct leading-edge research as well as construct a Tissue Culture Suite . M . Karen Newell Rogers , PhD , the Raleigh R . White , III , MD Centennial Endowed Chair in Surgery , will spearhead the research on two therapies that attack cancer ’ s ability to draw energy from the body . Her goal is to determine how the immune system recognizes changes in the metabolic process of cells , so that it will become possible to deliver a two-pronged attack : first by interfering with cancer ’ s energy supply and then by exposing the cancer cells to the body ’ s immune system . The proximity of researchers and physicians within the healthcare system
“ With the funding and the research , we ’ re able to close a critical gap in taking a promising therapy to patients ’ bedsides from 14 years to just four . Philanthropy makes the difference .”
— Alfred B . Knight , MD
makes it easy for experts to work together and to recruit patients as volunteers for clinical trials . This also helps to dramatically reduce the time it takes to test a drug ’ s effectiveness .
“ Most key events in science happen by serendipity ,” says Dr . Newell Rogers .“ Being in the right place at the right time , and then being able to synthesize information . I was studying cell death in Vermont several years ago and asked the questions , How does the cell ’ s energy strategy affect the immune response to that cell ? How does the immune system recognize it ? We learned that cells change their metabolic energy , and now we have the funding to study a process called fatty acid oxidation , its impact on the immune system , and what new targets for medications may help patients . It ’ s exciting when a synergy is created by the availability of resources and talent .” She will work with Juan Posada , MD , an oncologist at Scott & White Healthcare , and Ed Childs , MD , a trauma surgeon , to set up the clinical trials . Javier Kane , MD , an internationally renowned clinician in pediatric oncology , comes to Scott & White from St . Jude Children ’ s Research Hospital , in Memphis , Tennessee .
The growth of the Scott & White Healthcare system , the Scott & White Cancer Research Institute , and other research support services like the GMP laboratory will enable Dr . Newell Rogers to translate the therapies to a wider and more diverse population , thus increasing the possibility of success .
Treating twice as many children The remaining $ 1.5 million of the grant will go toward expanding the pediatric cancer treatment facility that will be built on the campus of the new Children ’ s Hospital at Scott & White . More than 1,200 children with cancer and bloodrelated disorders are treated each year at Scott & White , and that number continues to grow . As a result of this gift , the facility will more than double in size — from 3,500 square feet to 7,700 square feet — and have the capacity to treat twice as many children . In addition , the space will enable Scott & White to recruit more pediatric cancer physicians .
When a child is sick , the whole family is sick . That ’ s why caring for children in a family-centered environment is so critical . All family members have emotional needs that must be addressed . Relocating the pediatric cancer treatment center to the Children ’ s Hospital at Scott & White
28 THE CATALYST Spring 11 | www . sw . org