Week 9

So much for my big comeback this week. I logged runs of 3 (on treadmill at home and received a distress call from wife with flat tire), 8, 12, and 5 miles for a total of 28 miles this week. I'm not happy with the conditions outside, you are either taking your life in your hands on the main roads or your one misstep away from a torn groin muscle on the ice covered side roads. The treadmill is OK as long as no more distress calls come in. I will make my weekly pledge of stepping it up next week.
So far since the start of traing I have logged: Total Distance: 189.25 mi., Total Time Running: 26:56:38, Average Pace: 8:32 min

Again the fundraising is great, I am up to $9,020. Due to the great response and generosity of everyone I have adjusted my goal from $8,000 to $12,000. This weeks contributors are: Anna Sabatino, Jim Devine and Dan Lennox. Thanks to all that have donated so far.

Week Eight

Training took a bit of a hit this week with the snow and some extra work thrown in. I only got in about 25 miles so I'm looking forward to a big week next week.

Fundraising has been moving along at a steady pace. This weeks contributors are: The Blute Family, Dr. Anthony Giamberardino, Bill Siddall, Hanna Abi Saleh, Paul Doyon, Jimmy Fallon, Mike and Kathie Carpenito, Joe and Dottie Rosa, and Edwin Brennan. Thank you to all that have donated.

The Karen's Team Fundraiser to be held on Saturday March 28, 200 at the Billerica Elks, 14 Webb Brook Rd. Billerica is off and running, the first table was purchased by Rob Johansen. For more information you can check the blog or call 978-490-8018.

Everyone have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah!!

The Impact of the Barr Program on Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common site of cancer occurrence in women and the second most frequent cause of cancer death. Nearly 180,000 women develop breast cancer in the US every year which means that most Americans have been touched by this disease either directly or through family members or friends. Fortunately, death rates from breast cancer have been falling for the past few years and part of the reason is the appearance of new drugs that are more effective against the disease. But we still have a long way to go before we can say that we’ve eliminated the pain and suffering caused by breast cancer. Our best hope for making a significant impact in this disease is basic research into the causes of breast cancer. This is the first step along a marathon route that leads to better treatment and cures, and it’s the step that is directly supported by the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Cancer Research.

Barr Program investigators have already had an impact in breast cancer. This is a disease that, to a great extent, is driven by female hormones which is why anti-estrogen treatments can be so effective in some cases. One of our Barr Investigators is a leading expert in the basic science of hormone action in cancer cells, and his insights have directly led to better hormonal treatments. Other Barr Investigators have had an impact through their basic research work in genetics. Like so many cancers, we now know that breast cancer arises because of genetic abnormalities that occur in breast cells. Several investigators have devoted their careers to discovering the basic genetic defects that lead to cancer in many organs including the breast. Their insights have led to the development of a completely new generation of drugs that specifically halts the growth of breast cancer cells. Because these drugs are so specific for the genetically abnormal breast cancer cells, they have very little effect on normal cells. The result is effective anti-cancer treatment with almost none of the usual chemotherapy side effects like hair loss or nausea.

The future of breast cancer treatment will involve even more of these highly specific, highly effective drugs and their discovery will grow out of the basic science research performed by Barr investigators. A recent, highly promising Barr project involves an analysis of so-called "stem cells" in breast cancer. Most scientists believe that the stem cells, which make up only a small percentage of all of the cells in a breast cancer, are the cells that are truly responsible for growth, invasion, and spread of cancer. Understanding the basic biology of these cells will lead to treatments designed to eradicate them. A project like this one evolves pretty clearly from our current knowledge about breast cancer. It is important to remember, though, that the impact of basic research sometimes comes from our inability to predict ahead of time where it will lead. For example, another recent Barr project investigated the basic biological mechanisms that control cell division in yeast. Surprisingly (and gratifyingly), the molecules identified in this project have now been found to play a role in breast cancer, and targeting those molecules with new drugs is likely to have a major beneficial effect. This is the power of basic research: new treatments require new insights, and new insights are gained through basic research. Supporting the Barr Program will generate more of these insights, and that knowledge will directly improve the lives of thousands of women with breast cancer.

© 2008 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
All Rights Reserved.
For use by Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge 2009 team members

Week Seven

This week was another good running week. I had runs of 8, 5, 8, and 11 miles totaling 32 miles for the week. The 11 mile run was a group run with the Dana-Farber team. We actually went out and ran on part of the marathon course which for me was very interesting especially the hills by Boston College. So the training is going as well as can be expected.

On the fundraising part once again my expectations have been exceeded by the generosity of others. I have actually reached the goal of $8000.00 that I had set, so now I will press on and move the goal upwards. Every dollar donated goes directly to the research of cancer and we need all the help we can get. So thank you to this weeks donators, Vin Marcellino, Lori Johnson, The Robert's Family, The Perrier Family, Chuck and Steph Mahoney, Gerry and Kelley Celano, The Corbett Family, The Murphy Family, Dominic Ho, and Beth Hennessy. Thank you all very much.

Week Six

The training has been going well, this week the weather was very cooperative and I had runs of 7, 5, and 8 miles culminating with a 10 mile run on Saturday. A total of 30 miles this week. I will be stretching it out next week with a scheduled team run of 14 miles on Saturday. I have also gone back to playing hockey at least once a week with the intention of getting in 2 skates a week after the holidays.

The fundraising has been incredible, I can't thank everyone enough that has already donated. This week the donations came from: Neil and Karla Rosie, Sharad and Robin Hulsoor, Fred and Debba Andree, Rick Sweeney, Donald Coutu, Gerry and Nancy Bradanese(Mom and Dad), Neil Epstein, Michiko Haas, Ericsson Broadbent, Eric Miller, Eric Johnson, Brian Cronin, Mike and Gloria Craven, Dan Cullinane, Bob Turner, Christine and Jason Gori, Kevin and Rita Rooney
Gerry and Jean Irving(The Kara Irving Fund).

I have to say a special Thank You to Todd Evans. Todd has gone above and beyond what I could have ever expected anyone to donate. Thank You Todd.