Young women are now diagnosed with cancer at twice the rate of men. Breast cancer, which affects one in eight women in their lifetime, is a common culprit.
The prevalence of breast cancer, and its growing impact on young people, is proof that we still have a lot of work to do at City of Hope®.
Hope Rugo, M.D., the new director of the Women’s Cancers Program at City of Hope and chief of the breast medical oncology division, is not taking the challenge lightly. Dr. Rugo has made a point of convening researchers, doctors, surgeons, donors and patients to talk about the progress we’ve made and where we still need to go.
A recent Op-Ed she wrote for a national publication called The Cancer Letter sums it up well. “The urgency of this initiative becomes clear when examining clinical practice,” Dr. Rugo wrote. “My colleagues regularly encounter scenarios that were less common just decades ago: waiting rooms where 30-year-old daughters, not their parents, are the cancer patients.”
She also said, “the landscape of cancer is shifting beneath our feet, and we must adapt our clinical practice accordingly.” You can read her full letter here.
Dr. Rugo’s call to action resonates with me deeply. I often tell people: Hope without action is just a word; hope with action is a verb.
City of Hope’s mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. But hope can’t happen without action.
This is why our donors, volunteers and employees are so valuable. You are an integral part of our “action army.” Your support is the catalyst that turns research into cures and ensures that no one is left behind.
As many people before me have rightly noted, raising breast cancer awareness is critical. But awareness alone is not enough. We also have to do something.
City of Hope and our supporters are answering the call. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to share three examples of how your support is turning ideas into action and hope into reality. Thanks to you, City of Hope is:
- Improving quality of life. City of Hope is known for our supportive care, an approach that treats the whole person. This is especially important as younger survivors, like my incredible colleague Michelle Kang, have to navigate unique issues like fertility, employment and risk of recurrence.
- Advancing research into difficult-to-treat cancers. Generous donor support is opening new frontiers in breast cancer research at City of Hope, including offering new hope for women facing metastatic or treatment-resistant disease.
- Expanding early detection and screening. Early detection is the key to survivorship and positive outcomes. In addition, genetic testing and screening can help people better understand their risks and create a plan to stay ahead of cancer. For City of Hope patient Sara Glenn, understanding her risk meant protecting her daughters, too.
Thank you for continuing to be an active partner in our mission. If you are inspired to do more this month, please consider making a gift to City of Hope or registering for one of our Walk for Hope events in November. Walk for Hope is a fun, family-friendly event that raises money for cancer research and brings together thousands of City of Hope supporters and cancer survivors every year. Everyone is welcome, and I hope to see you there!
Thank you,
Kristin J. Bertell
Chief Philanthropy Officer