Ladies: Put Yourself at the Top of Your To-do List
Tips for taking care of your mind, body & spirit
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TO-DO-LIST: Put you first. Let's be frank, ladies. You take care of everyone before taking care of yourself. Learn how to Make self-care (mind, body & soul) the first box you tick off your to-do list.
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Our experts offer some sage advice for living your best – whether you're struggling to maintain a healthy weight, dealing with anxiety or trying to prevent heart disease.
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Whatever you need, we are here for you. Here are some helpful tools to help you crush it at home, work and in life!
New Center Will Accelerate Gynecologic Cancer Research
Gynecologic cancers, including endometrial and ovarian cancers, account for nearly 10 percent of all cancer-related deaths in women. Yet over the past 25 years, limited progress has been made in improving survival rates.
The ability of gynecologic tumors to adapt to and evade treatment is a major factor contributing to the poor outcomes. While tumors initially respond well to treatment, the majority eventually become resistant to therapies – and scientists want to find out why.
Cleveland Clinic researchers and physicians have established a new Center for Research Excellence in Gynecologic Cancer to help provide answers. The center will capitalize on the expertise and patient volume of Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Gynecologic Oncology, one of the largest in the country, with more than 700 patient new visits annually.
Gift is Catalyst for New Center
Ofer Reizes, PhD, of the Lerner Research Institute’s Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and inaugural holder of The Laura J. Fogarty Endowed Chair for Uterine Cancer Research, is a co-leader of the new center.
“The vision to establish a center was advanced by the endowment in 2017 from the Fogarty family in honor of Laura,” he says. “The funds have allowed us to accelerate the research on uterine cancer, including carcinosarcoma, Laura’s specific tumor subtype.”
Dr. Reizes says the center will bring together clinicians and researchers in cancer stem cell biology, radiotherapy and immunotherapy to provide personalized therapies. “Our Center capitalizes on strengths and collective expertise of a diverse team of investigators, along with innovations specialists,” he says. “We’ll address the critical, unmet medical need in gynecologic cancers by studying the causes of disease with a focus on drug discovery and industry research partnerships.”
Dr. Reizes’ co-leader, Peter Rose, MD, Section Head and Fellowship Director of Gynecologic Oncology at the OB/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, believes the new center is exceptionally well-positioned to change the landscape of gynecologic cancer research and care.
“The short-term goal is to build the research infrastructure and provide funds for basic and clinical investigation of these understudied cancers and underfunded research,” he says. “The long-term goal is to develop a large and consolidated research program with a pipeline of projects for clinical development.”
Opportunities for Breakthroughs
The center initially is focused on finding solutions to treatment resistance. Because these initiatives are considered high-risk research, they’re typically not funded by grants, Dr. Reizes says, and philanthropic support is key to building large programs. In addition to the endowed chair funds, one of their studies recently was awarded a VeloSano pilot grant.
How You Can Help
Your support directly impacts research and treatment innovation at Cleveland Clinic. Make a gift today.
Correct Diagnosis and Treatment Inspire Support
In the summer of 2016, Jackie Ross, age 59, fainted from severe stomach pain while behind the wheel of her parked car. At the emergency room of a local hospital, she was diagnosed with a digestive disorder, prescribed medication and advised to follow up with her primary care physician.
When the symptoms went away, she thought she was fine. However, a few months later, she noticed bloating, tiredness and stomach pain. By the spring of 2017, crippling back pain led her to follow her primary care physician’s recommendation of a colonoscopy.
She scheduled the procedure at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital in June 2017, where she met with gastroenterologist Michael Pollack, MD. He listened intently as she described her symptoms, and then said, “I’m not worried about your colon, but I am worried about cancer.” He arranged for her to have a CT scan.
“He called me the next day, at 8 in the morning, so I knew it was bad,” Ms. Ross says. “He asked, ‘Would you be able to come in?” At his office, he delivered the news that her scan showed ovarian cancer. With her sister present, he reassured them both.
“This is not a death sentence,” he said. “We’re going to get you the best treatment.” He then added, “I recognized your symptoms because my mom has gone through this.”
Dr. Pollack made an appointment for her right away with Robert DeBernardo, MD, Director of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program, Section of Gynecologic Oncology, who diagnosed Stage 3 ovarian cancer.
Implementing Plan B
“When you meet with Dr. DeBernardo, you feel like you are his only patient,” Ms. Ross says. “He spent so much time with me. He brought up the CT scan and showed me every angle and told me his plan.”
Plan A was surgery to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy. However, during surgery on June 30, Dr. DeBernardo saw that numerous cancer “grains” had spread to her organs. Rather than remove the tumor, he ended the procedure and moved to Plan B, in which Ms. Ross would be treated with chemotherapy for 12 weeks to shrink the tumor and kill the cancer grains, followed by surgery to remove the tumor and treat the spots where the cancer grains had been. After surgery, she would have another 12 weeks of chemotherapy.
Throughout her treatment, Ms. Ross was supported and cared for by friends and family including her brother and two sisters, one of whom is a nurse. She did so well that she was able to complete the Summit County Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree while still in her ninth week of post-surgical chemotherapy.
A Gift to Help Improve Outcomes
A Twinsburg, Ohio, native and successful businesswoman in San Jose, California, where she lives, Ms. Ross recently made a gift supporting the work of Dr. DeBernardo. He is investigating new treatment approaches that could improve outcomes for ovarian cancer patients.
“Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S., despite that fact that only 22,000 per year are diagnosed, and the second most common gynecological cancer in the U.S., in terms of frequency, behind uterine cancer,” Dr. DeBernardo says, citing American Cancer Society statistics. “We are very grateful for Jackie’s generous gift, which will help us further our knowledge as we continue working to improve patient outcomes.”
For her part, Ms. Ross is grateful for the excellent care that led to correct diagnosis and effective treatment. “I couldn’t have had a better medical team,” she says. “I am grateful to both Dr. Pollack and Dr. DeBernardo, as well as my chemotherapy nurses at the Taussig Cancer Center. They saved my life.”
How You Can Help
Help us eradicate women’s cancers by supporting innovative research.
Galas Support Brain Health, Pediatrics
Two longtime signature events, the 22nd annual Power of Love® gala in Las Vegas and the 28th annual Children’s Gala in Cleveland, were the culmination of a year’s worth of fundraising efforts. The celebrations bring attention to the ongoing need for support of brain health and pediatrics research and care.
Keep Memory Alive co-founder Larry Ruvo (right) welcomes Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, MD, to the 22nd annual Power of Love® gala. |
Keep Memory Alive’s 22nd annual Power of Love ® gala, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 28, 2018, featured world-renowned singer Michael Bublé. The star-studded event raised funds and awareness for Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and its fight against brain disease including Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases, multiple sclerosis and multiple system atrophy.
Marwan N. Sabbagh, MD, the new director of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, was introduced during the festivities. Dr. Sabbagh, who holds the Camille and Larry Ruvo Chair for Brain Health, is a leading Alzheimer’s disease investigator with more than 27 years of experience.
In addition to enjoying the finest cuisine prepared by superstar chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Wolfgang Puck, guests bid on one-of-a-kind experiences during the event’s signature live and silent auctions. Items auctioned include a week-long stay in Guy Laliberté’s 21,000-square-foot home in Hawaii, vacation sailing off the coast of Australia aboard the ultra-luxurious MY Texas super yacht, a private tennis lesson with Stefanie Graf and Andre Agassi, and dinner with rock star Jon Bon Jovi.
Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, MD, (left) with Cleveland Clinic Children’s Gala Co-Chairs Lorraine Dodero and Umberto Fedeli. |
The 28th Annual Cleveland Clinic Children’s Gala took place on Saturday, May 12, 2018, raising nearly $1.6 million to help fund pediatric research.
More than 700 guests attended the event at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, which introduced the 2018 Courage Award Honorees. Tye’rell Simpson, age 6, overcame a heart defect, stroke and spinal cord tumor, and multiple bone marrow transplants. Jack Sparent, age 14, triumphed over a rare immune disease that left him paralyzed from the eyes down. The two Cleveland Clinic Children’s patients were celebrated for their determination and bravery while facing medical obstacles.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s also introduced Kids Give Back, a year-round community initiative that helps kids who want to give back to Cleveland Clinic Children’s by hosting independent fundraisers. Ten-year old Daniel Melaragno was recognized during the evening for raising $25,000 through a clambake and bocce event to celebrate five healthy years of life after a brain tumor.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s also introduced Kids Give Back, a year-round community initiative that helps kids who want to give back to Cleveland Clinic Children’s by hosting independent fundraisers. Ten-year old Daniel Melaragno was recognized during the evening for raising $25,000 through a clambake and bocce event to celebrate five healthy years of life after a brain tumor.
Emceed by WJW Fox 8 morning show anchor Stefani Schaefer, the evening began with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and live entertainment from The Modern Gentleman. During dinner, guests were treated to performances by the Cleveland Music Group, the Contemporary Youth Orchestra and Cleveland Clinic Children’s patient Eva Janigan, who sang “Here Comes the Sun.”
How You Can Help
You don’t have to attend an event to show your support for Cleveland Clinic. Make a gift today to help further life-saving research.
