Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation Newsletter Thompson Fondly Remembers Dr. Ronald H. Perry East Tennessee Draft Horse and Mule Association Pulls Together for the 7th Annual Ride for Survival Thompson Employees Vote Yes to Giving! 2008 TCSC Medical Physics Program Update Nobody Is a Stranger Thank You for Helping Raise $339,000 in the Mission to Defeat Cancer! Frank H. Strang Senior Center Provides “Resources” for Thompson’s George Bruce Nichols Patient Resource Center A New Year’s Resolution   Thompson Fondly Remembers Dr. Ronald H. Perry (07/09/08) On the evening of March 26, family members, friends, colleagues and employees gathered in Thompson Cancer Survival Center’s radiation oncology lobby to celebrate and refl ect on the life of beloved physician, Dr. Ronald H. Perry. Dr. Perry was an instrumental physician leader in the establishment of the Thompson Cancer Survival Center, its Radiation Oncology Program, and its climb to acclaim. Sadly, a year ago he succumbed to the disease he spent his life trying to eliminate. After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1969, Dr. Perry entered private practice as chief of radiation oncology at Fort Sanders Regional, then, in 1988 continued as chief of radiation oncology for the newly established Thompson Cancer Survival Center. Dr. Perry retired from active practice in 1995 but stayed involved covering for colleagues whenever he was needed. He served with great pride and dedication on the original TCSC Board of Directors and subsequently the TCSC Foundation Board until his passing on March 27, 2007. The Perry family stands proudly with Dr. Perry’s memorial plaque. Standing are daughter, Dana; sister-in-law, Sandy; daughters Darlene and Donna; son Mark and brother Doug Perry. Seated with her granddaughters, Catherine and Sarah, is Ron’s lovely wife, Jan. TCSC Foundation board secretary, Jeff Chapman, was host of the reception and spoke of Dr. Perry’s years of service, and his unending passion and advocacy for the funding of new treatment research and technology. That passion has lead to the advancements of TCSC’s nationally recognized medical physics program. Chapman recalled that once, at a point when he had been very ill, Dr. Perry tried to resign from the board, but they wouldn’t hear of it. Ron rallied and continued to serve. Chapman said, “You could always count on Ron to say what he meant and defend what he believed in.” Employees Jan Routson, Janet Love and Chet Ramsey each fondly relayed their experiences working with Dr. Perry. Jan Routson, who worked the longest with him, shared these words, “Dr. Perry was an avid UT Vol fan. You know how all medical equipment is either grey or green or tan, well, when I came to interview with him in 1980 he showed me ‘his’ linear accelerator – it was painted UT Orange. I was amazed!” She went on to say, “I remember when the board started talking about a cancer center, how he would just beam with excitement – he was so proud of what Thompson would become. His excitement resonated to his employees. We all made 8-year financial commitments for a percentage of our salaries to go toward building the Center.” “I’ll always remember my last visit with him,” Jan concluded. “We talked about the good, the bad and the diffi cult times – not just with work, but in our lives. It was a privilege to work with him and know him for 27 years, and to be able to call him one of my dearest friends.” Dr. Chet Ramsey, head of the TCSC’s medical physics department, refl ected on Dr. Perry’s impact on his program. Chet was an early medical physics resident in the program that Dr. Perry, as a physician mentor and foundation board member, passionately supported. While in the program, Chet earned his Ph.D. and since has become the director of the research program that has trained numerous medical physics professionals and has become among the top 5 medical physics programs in the nation. Chet explained, “The medical physics program at TCSC has resulted in treatment advances that have benefi ted over ten thousand cancer patients locally and hundreds of thousands worldwide.” There were wonderful laughs and stories shared by many friends, colleagues and patients…all endearingly spoken of a man who was beloved for his strong character, courage, leadership, dedication and generosity. Dr. Perry’s daughter Darlene wrote in a message to her sister Dana about TCSC’s plans to celebrate their dad’s life, “All our lives we have had people come up to us and say that dad cured (or tried to cure) them or a loved one and how much he meant to them. I still run into people! It is that same pride I feel with this gesture. The fact that he earnestly devoted himself to fi nding cures and methods, giving treatment and providing comfort to those with cancer, is his lasting legacy. I am so pleased that they are commemorating that work. And he was so excited about the TCSC as a new treatment facility and what it would mean for those with cancer in the East Tennessee region. I remember when he was helping plan all that. I know that he would be honored by this tribute. He truly loved the TCSC.” A memorial plaque now hangs in the Radiation Oncology entrance with a rendering of our friend and physician leader – Dr. Ronald H. Perry. We salute his life and his dedication to the successful treatment and elimination of cancer.   East Tennessee Draft Horse and Mule Association Pulls Together for the 7th Annual Ride for Survival (07/09/08) Our thanks go out to the East Tennessee Draft Horse and Mule Association (ETDHMA) for their tremendous support of the 2008 Ride for Survival. The day and venue for this year’s event could not have been more perfect. Hundreds of people, including some 19 wagons and 60 horseback riders, converged on the picturesque Riverplains Farm owned by Frank and Cindi Nicely on Saturday, April 26 for the 6-mile loop ride. The association’s involvement and fundraising initiatives culminated in raising more than $16,500 – over twice as much as last year! All of the proceeds go to the Thompson Cares Fund which provides cancer patients immediate help to ease the emotional and fi nancial burdens brought about as a result of their disease. Funds are used to assist patients with the cost of transportation to and from treatment, food, medicines, wigs and other basic necessities. Terri Collins, founder of the ride approached the ETDHMA last fall asking if they would consider taking the lead of the event as a group endeavor to support the fight against cancer – more specifi cally the effects it causes. She felt that they could bring the power of their organization to help raise more money and more awareness among their vast network of equestrian friends. The association’s president, Susan Davis, said, “So many of our members have been touched in one way or another by cancer that we all agreed this effort was right for us.” Undoubtedly, association member Bill Jones is to be lauded for the extraordinary impact he made by masterfully organizing his fundraising vision and specially creating an 18-foot Tribute Wagon. With friends and fellow association members Joe Long and Jimmy Taylor, he worked tirelessly constructing the 18-foot long wagon with a double-sided display billboard. Jones, with the help of Bill Landry and Doug Mills of Channel 10’s Heartland Series, set about raising awareness and media attention. A “Pull Together to Fight Cancer” public service announcement was aired. Posters and letters were sent offering donors the opportunity to have their names or the names of loved ones printed on the display for a contribution of just $20 per name. Corporate sponsorships were also available beginning at $250. Nearly 400 names were listed. Jones is reluctant to accept praise for his efforts, instead he simply says, “Oh no – I didn’t do anything…. it takes everyone to make a difference.” Dr. Lori Nunley, ER specialist at Children’s Hospital, made good her 2007 challenge to our own Dr. Dan Ibach by outpacing him and raising nearly $4,300 in donations! Dr. Nunley is a strong advocate for Thompson Cares – working behind the scenes to secure donations from family members, friends, businesses and co-workers. Top senior fundraiser was cancer survivor Nellie Noe, who raised over $600. Susan Davis lead the way for the association and was responsible for nearly $4,000 more in donations. This year’s Ride for Survival will be hard to top, but everyone is looking forward to next year’s event being even bigger and better. You can help cancer patients right now who are facing critical financial and emotional crises by making a taxdeductible gift the Thompson Cares Fund. For more information about how you can help, call Sharon Mullens at (865) 541-1872 or send your donation to the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation at 1915 White Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916.   Thompson Employees Vote Yes to Giving! (07/09/08) Employees at Thompson Cancer Survival Center and throughout Covenant Health donate hundreds of thousands of dollars each year during the annual We Care Giving Campaign. Since the 2008 campaign began in March, Covenant employees have contributed a record $405,000+. This year’s campaign was another example that the tradition of caring and giving is deeply rooted in the hearts of our employees. TCSC’s campaign had an election year theme for 2008. Employees and physicians turned out strong at the polls and voted with their hearts and their pocketbooks by giving more than $30,000. Gifts could be directed to any one of many funds which support patients and programs across Covenant Health. Most of Thompson’s “votes” were directed to a special fund called Thompson Cares. Donations to this fund are used exclusively for patients in order to help ease the emotional and financial burden of this devastating disease. Thompson Cares helps patients and their families cope with the various aspects of cancer that are normally not covered by insurance such as gas or transportation to and from treatment, temporary lodging, meals – often life’s basic necessities for families unable to afford them. Cathy Melchert, Thompson’s 2008 Employee Giving chair says, “Our patients are the center of all we do, we are committed not only through the care we provide them, but with our financial resources. We are here to help and to make a difference, and by doing so we are so blessed.” “I see patients practically every day who cannot afford their medication, transportation or other basic necessities and that’s where we come in. We give because we know that money donated to our Thompson Cares fund helps meet the needs of our patients,” says Becca Burress, TCSC’s clinical social worker. The center’s staff understands how critical it is for a cancer patient to begin regular treatment as soon as cancer is found. TCSC sees to it that that everyone in need of treatment receives it, even if they cannot afford it or do not have adequate insurance coverage. Our shared mission is to provide the best cancer care possible for our patients and we are determined to fight this disease and find a cure. You, too, can make a difference by making a tax-deductible gift to the Thompson Cares Fund. For more information call Sharon Mullens at (865) 541-1872 or send your donation to the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation at 1915 White Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916.   2008 TCSC Medical Physics Program Update (07/09/08) by Chester Ramsey, Ph.D., DAMPD, TCSC Director of Medical Physics When the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation was established in 1994, one of the goals of the organization was to support innovative research in cancer diagnosis and treatment that would directly benefit the residents of Tennessee and the region. Beginning in 1997, the TCSC Foundation awarded its first research grant to support a medical physics research program in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Over the next 10 years, this small home-grown program would become one of the top research programs in the United States. I am often asked, ‘What exactly is Medical Physics?’ For the 60% of all cancer patients that are treated with radiation therapy, the medical physics department is the team behind the curtain that strives to fi nd the best way of treating the cancer. Medical physics consists is a team of professionals that combine diagnostic images (such as CT, MRI, PET, and SPECT) into a virtual model of the patient’s anatomy and physiology. This model is then used to simulate up to thousands of different treatment combinations to find the best course of treatment for each individual patient. For radiation therapy patients, this means that side effects are reduced and more radiation can be focused at the cancer. Finding the best combination of radiation beams for treatment can be a complicated task. As patients inhale and exhale, the position of their tumor can change from second to second. As the treatment kills the cancer, internal anatomy changes from day-today. This means that the best treatment combination last week may not be the best combination for this week’s course of treatment. Again, it is the responsibility of the medical physics team to ensue that the best possible treatment is delivered. Over the past 10 years, the medical physics team at Thompson Cancer Survival Center has published over 150 scientific manuscripts and conference proceedings on delivering the best possible treatments. Last year, two TCSC research projects received national awards for their level of innovation, and four of TCSC’s medical physic residents were finalists for young investigator awards. In 2008, the medical physics researcher program at TCSC ranked fourth in the United States behind Stanford University, Washington University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. At the 2008 annual scientific meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, which is the most prestigious scientific meeting in the world for radiation oncolgy, four of the top forty-five oral presentations this year will be from TCSC researchers. One of the studies conducted at TCSC that has generated the most enthusiasm is a technique for predicting how successful that the treatment will be at beating the cancer during the fi rst few weeks of treatment. If the model predicts that the treatment will be successful, then the treatment can continue. If the model predicts that the treatment will not be effective, then the course of treatment can be changed to a different technique that will be more effective. The results from this study were published last year in the International Journal of Radiation, Oncology, Biology, and Physics, which is the most prestigious radiation oncology journal in the world. Results from this study were presented to thousands in scientific meetings in both the United States and Europe. Today, researchers around the world are working to incorporate these models into their own clinical studies. The medical physics program at the Thompson Cancer Survival Center has resulted in treatment advances that have benefi ted over ten thousand cancer patients locally, and hundreds of thousands around the worldwide. As one of the top research program in the world, this program exemplifies the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation’s commitment to excellence.   Nobody Is a Stranger (07/09/08) Ray Burchell and his wife, Dee, have never met a stranger. They have spent their lives working and traveling the United States from Pennsylvania to California, and now in Tennessee. The mention of each hometown brings stories of great friendships and interesting encounters with people from all walks of life. Here in East Tennessee, the Burchells have settled in for retirement, but that doesn’t necessarily mean slowing down. Ray was determined to fi nd a place where they could be of service to the community and share their good fortune with others. "The Lord has given us so much," says Dee. "We need to use those blessings to help someone else." The Burchells found that opportunity at the Fellowship Center, a non-profit lodging facility affiliated with Covenant Health. A "home-away-fromhome" for patients and families who are traveling long distances to Knoxville for medical treatment, the Fellowship Center offers 18 fully-furnished apartments, a family room and laundry, a food pantry, and, most importantly, respite and hospitality during stressful times. Most guests who benefit from the Fellowship Center are patients at Thompson Cancer Survival Center, the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, but this caring program is also open to patients from other area hospitals as space permits. Fifteen years ago, shortly after they moved to Tennessee, Ray Burchell and two friends formed a unique musical group called Heartstrings. The group has grown to include over 30 volunteer members who play a variety of string instruments. Ray’s specialties are mountain dulcimer and autoharp. The father of one of the group’s founders had stayed at Fellowship Center during a recent illness. Through that connection, Heartstrings began to play at the Center, and Ray and Dee learned about its wonderful mission. "Nobody is a stranger at Fellowship Center," says Ray. "When you walk in the door, whether you’re a patient or a caregiver or a volunteer, you are family. It feels good to be a part of that place." Ray and Dee agree, "We are so impressed by what the staff and volunteers do at the Center – how they care, how they show compassion and hospitality to the patients and families." They have high praise for the Center’s longtime director, Sarah Whitley, as well. "Sarah is A-number-one! She truly walks the walk and believes in what she does," says Ray. The Burchells have learned that the best way to help Fellowship Center is to simply ask Sarah what she needs. Ray says she is never shy about sharing the needs that will make a difference for her guests. Over the years, the Burchells have provided mountains of paper products, dishes, small appliances, light bulbs, food, and even a refrigerator…not to mention supporting the Center’s efforts with their financial contributions. In addition, Heartstrings plays regularly for the Center’s guests during lunch in the family room. "With the twenty-fifth anniversary of Fellowship Center coming up, we feel so good to be a part of it," says Ray. "The spirit of giving from all the people involved is what makes the program so successful. If people want to learn more, I say go…go and see what they do. Then you’ll understand." According to Ray, Heartstrings always closes their performances with "Amazing Grace" because it gets to the heart of what the group is all about. It gets to the heart of what Ray and Dee Burchell are all about, too. Fellowship Center salutes the Burchells, Heartstrings, and all of the generous donors and volunteers who have helped the Center provide its special hospitality for the last twenty-five years. Ray and Dee Burchell are great examples of a couple who enjoy life and making life better for others through their financial and gift-in-kind donations to the Fellowship Center, as well as their gifts of time in bringing musical joy to so many. Such an inspiring story! There are many opportunities to make a difference with your gifts of time, talent and fi nancial donations to programs supported by the TCSC Foundation. Be like the Burchells and live life to the fullest. Contact us today for ideas and ways you can make a significant difference. Perhaps it is with a gift of needed supplies, or joining our volunteer ranks, or supporting patient care and education needs with a gift of cash, stocks or real estate. Other ways include putting a bequest in your will or making us a charitable benefi ciary designation on your life insurance or retirement plan. You could choose a combination of these wonderful ways to help people served by the healthcare programs supported through the TCSC Foundation. For more information, please contact Sharon Mullens, TCSC Foundation, at (865) 541-1872 or smullens@covhlth.com. To visit the Fellowship Center and learn how you can help, call (865) 541-1725.   Thank You for Helping Raise $339,000 in the Mission to Defeat Cancer! (02/12/08) The BUDDY’S Race Against Cancer is undeniably everybody’s race against cancer! Men, women, boys, girls, seniors and toddlers – some 3,629 strong, more people than ever before, joined the Mission to Defeat Cancer by uniting in teams of neighbors, co-workers, friends and families to run, walk and honor loved ones in the fight against cancer on Sunday, November 11, at the World’s Fair Park. They gave of their hearts and their resources by successfully raising more than $339,000 to help others receive life saving cancer screenings and education. “What makes this event so important to me is knowing that every penny raised goes to help people right here in East Tennessee get screened for cancer – screening and early detection is key to survival!” says Sharon Alley co-chair of the 14th annual race and 4-year cancer survivor. Money from corporate sponsorships, entries, donations and pledge collections provide the core funding for Thompson Cancer Survival Center’s Cancer Outreach Services program. It pays for screenings such as mammograms, prostate exams, cervical cancer examinations and colon cancer awareness programs in Knox and 18 surrounding East Tennessee counties. Annually, more than 3,000 screenings take place in community centers, churches, health departments, manufacturing companies and rural expeditions. TCSC’s President and CAO Tim Hawkins reminds us why the BUDDY’S Race is so important, saying, “The funds generated from the BUDDY’S Race are used 100% for Cancer Outreach Services. There are over 47 million uninsured citizens in this country, and the BUDDY’S Race funds the Cancer Outreach programs in order to reach as many of these individuals as possible. Events like the BUDDY’S Race are providing the only resources for healthcare services many of these people will ever see.” David Alley, Sharon’s brother and race cochair this year, says, “There is a two-fold reason the race is important to me. First is the knowledge that all of money raised by the race goes to fund Thompson’s Outreach program, which is fantastic. And second, as Sharon and I grew up in and have relatives in rural counties of East Tennessee, it’s great to know that the people in those areas (our people) who are underserved or aren’t able to get cancer screenings can actually get screened, because in our family we know all too well that early detection is hugely important in beating cancer.” Sharon and David lost their dad, Ben, to pancreatic cancer just five months before Sharon was diagnosed. The BUDDY’S Race Against Cancer has grown steadily since that first race in 1993 when several hundred gathered to support the fight against cancer and raised $27,500. “It’s almost unbelievable to realize that now we’re raising over $339,000 and have thousands who participate!” exclaimed Suzanne Lindsey of BUDDY’S bar-b-q, the Event Sponsor. “We are so honored and deeply proud to know that more than 40,000 people have benefited from the $2.6 million this event has raised.” Privileged by the support of more than 130 area businesses and 14-time event sponsor, BUDDY’S bar-b-q, the BUDDY’S Race is Knoxville’s largest locally supported road race. The fourth annual Walk in the Park has become increasingly more popular for hundreds wishing to participate, but in a less physically strenuous way. “Thompson Cancer Survival Center is committed to the belief that every person deserves a fighting chance to defeat cancer. Money raised by the BUDDY’S Race provides the funding to help in this mission. Without this community support there would be no way we could provide these services to the growing number of people who desperately need them,” says Elmeria Teffeteller, Thompson’s outreach nurse educator. “All of the money raised by the BUDDY’S Race Against Cancer stays in our region to help in the prevention and early detection of this insidious disease.” Thank you Knoxville and East Tennessee for your outstanding show of support by joining us in the Mission to Defeat Cancer! If you would like to become a part of Thompson’s 15th Anniversary BUDDY’S Race Against Cancer as a sponsor, participant, donor or volunteer, please contact the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation at (865) 541-1227, e-mail smullens@covhlth.com or visit www.buddysrace.org.   Frank H. Strang Senior Center Provides “Resources” for Thompson’s George Bruce Nichols Patient Resource Center (02/12/08) On any given day you can find cancer patients, a family member or two, Cancer Center employees and others gathering information, reading, and accessing the internet for the most recent cancer-related information in Thompson Cancer Survival Center’s George Bruce Nichols Patient Resource Center. They have this access thanks to Susan French, wife of the late George Bruce Nichols and Resource Center benefactor. After her initial donation to establish a patient library, several years ago Thompson was able to expand the small library area into a resource center which created a more comfortable, relaxed environment for information gathering, Internet research, reading and reflection. Folks are encouraged to check-out the books and tapes on the honor system; but there are no penalties if the books are not returned. Determined to ensure the Center is stocked with adequate resources, Susan is constantly on the look-out for opportunities to sustain it. Such was the case one day a couple of years ago when she was at the Frank H. Strang Senior Center to teach a yoga class. There in the Strang Center’s community room, Susan spied a big box of books that had been collected. She was told they were headed for the recycling center (the dump!). Excited by the find, she saw it as a great opportunity to support the Resource Center. Since that day, Strang Center director, Lauren Monahan and staff continue to collect books from patrons and others which, in turn, are either used in the GBN Patient Resource Center or traded at McKay Used Books for credit or cash. More than $1,000 worth of credits and several hundred dollars in cash have been generated. Lauren says, “We love to do this…it’s so simple and so very rewarding.” Several times a year Susan and Sharon Mullens, development director of the TCSC Foundation, go on what Susan calls a shopping spree. “This is when we get a list from the Cancer Center of the books we need, then we gather up our credits and cash and go book shopping,” explains Susan. “It’s so much fun because when we’re through we know we have brought about a source of information, solace, beauty and even a bit of humor for those who need it so much.” George was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1993. Until his death the next year, he was steadfast in his plea to Susan to “Never give up”. Susan remains firmly determined to never give up. Susan hopes that by helping others facing the same types of uncertainties, fears and heartache that a cancer diagnosis can bring, she can provide a source of comfort within the walls of the George Bruce Nichols Patient Resource Center. If you would like to help support Thompson’s George Bruce Nichols Patient Resource Center with a donation of good books, CDs, DVD’s or a cash donation, please contact Sharon Mullens at the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation office at (865) 541-1227 or e-mail smullens@covhlth.com.   A New Year’s Resolution (02/12/08) January is a month for making resolutions for the New Year. 2008 represents a fresh start, an opportunity to pull out our "to-do" list and try to check off a few more items. Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation wishes to share the following "to-do" items with you: 1. Get a Last Will and Testament. (If you don't have a will, the State of Tennessee has one for you and you may not like how the state distributes your assets to your loved ones.) 2. Make sure you have a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or Living Will to let your family and doctors know about your health care wishes in case the time comes when you are unable to speak for yourself because of injury or illness. 3. If you have a will, dust it off and make whatever changes need to be made. (Life changes. It's amazing how minor children can grow so fast and become self-sufficient adults, how family members can pass away, how marital status can change...all of these changes may affect the way your will was written. Go ahead and update your will, you will feel better knowing your interests are up to date!) 4.Think about the charities you currently support. What happens to this support once you are gone? Now is a good time to consider adding a bequest to your will. It's simple and easy to do and can be accomplished in several ways: • designate a specific sum to your charities of choice • designate a percentage to your charities of choice • designate a percentage of the remainder of your estate after your initial bequests to family and friends (example: I bequeath 80% of my estate to the following family and friends...Of the remaining 20%, I bequeath 10% to my church and 10% to the TCSC Foundation.) 5. Take a look at your retirement plan. Did you know that any of your retirement plan dollars going to your heirs are subject to income tax? These dollars can also be subject to estate tax and really are better used as a way to continue your legacy of caring. Find out more about the flexibility of giving using your retirement plan assets by requesting our complimentary brochure Questions and Answers about Retirement Plans. Contact Sharon Mullens, director of development, at (865)541-1227 or smullens@covhlth.com for more information.