Breakthroughs in the lab are coming quickly in the field of cancer research and that’s giving renewed hope to families, according to a new Voices of UMassMed podcast with Jonathan Gerber, MD, the Eleanor Eustis Farrington Chair in Cancer Research, chief of the Division of Hematology-Oncology in the Department of Medicine, medical director of the UMass Cancer Center and associate professor of medicine.
“We’ve seen literally an explosion—new therapies across the board in almost every type of cancer,” Dr. Gerber said.
Gerber said the annual Cancer Walk and Run on Sept. 22 in Worcester is critical to delivering support to the cancer center, the advancement of adult and pediatric cancer research, and identification of new therapies. In the podcast, he also explains leading-edge immune therapies and other genetic approaches that he’s optimistic about.
Also in the podcast, cancer survivor Sheila Burke shares her story and emphasizes why it’s so important for people to participate in the Cancer Walk and Run.
“Research is so important so that more patients can be saved,” Burke said. “This year our team is walking in memory of a team member who unfortunately just passed away. She was on our team. She was a breast cancer survivor and she passed away last month. Everybody knows someone with cancer. So, if you want to walk and be supportive for one of those people, it really is important.”
There is still time to register for the UMass Cancer Walk and Run on Sept. 22. For more information visit https://umasscancerwalk.org/.
Listen to the Voices of UMassMed podcast at: umassmed.edu/news/voices. You can also subscribe and listen on SoundCloud and iTunes.
