ACS Researcher Making a Difference

This is my article as published in the June 12, 2014 issue of The Mena Star.


AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RESEARCHER MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN LIVES, THE FUTURE

Dr. Yibin Kang, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. He has been recognized by the American Association for Cancer Research with its Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Research.

This award honors a researcher younger than 40 for meritorious achievements in the field of cancer research. Dr. Kang’s research was funded by an American Cancer Society grant made possible by donations to Relay For Life. He was recognized by AACR for his research in furthering the molecular understanding of cancer metastasis – which is when cancer spreads from the part of the body where it started to other parts of the body. His research has defined the mechanisms governing the ability of breast cancer cells to migrate and colonize various locations throughout the body.

Nearly 90% of cancer mortality is due to tumor cells metastasizing in surrounding tissue, yet until recently this area of study was underdeveloped. Dr. Kang has discovered that certain tumor proteins are capable of altering the biological activities of various bone cells to facilitate metastasis.

Dr. Kang’s lab has identified specific pathways that usher tumor cells to the surrounding tissue, causing metastasis. Identifying these pathways is critical, as pharmaceutical inhibitors have proven effective in blockading the procession of tumor cells, greatly reducing the potential for cancer metastasizing in vital organs.

The American Cancer Society is currently funding over 800 different research projects covering over 50 different types of cancer. The American Cancer Society has been conducting and funding cancer research since 1946. In that time, the Society has spent more than $4 billion on cancer research.

Forty seven of the researchers the American Cancer Society has funded went on to win the Nobel Prize. More than 80% of the directors of National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers are former American Cancer Society grantees. It is money raised by Relay For Life volunteers here in Polk County along with those on over 5,200 other communities in the U.S. that fund this important research.

C is for Cancer

The ABC Wednesday Meme is a great way to see some great blogs. This week the letter is "C".  C is for Cancer.

A couple of weeks ago, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer.  All of a sudden, the work that I have done with Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society came sharply into focus.  It became even more personal.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.  It is the top non-profit fundraising event in the world with over 5,200 events in the U.S. and with events in countries around the world.

I have been involved in Relay For Life since 2007. The number one reason I became involved is because my wife is passionate about Relay. She has such a passion for Relay For Life that it rubs off on those around her. Her passion stems from her family history. Her mother died of cancer when Gina was just 21 years old. Her father had colon cancer, and all three of her sisters have had breast cancer. She is the only person in her immediate family that is cancer free.  To read her story click here.

Several years ago, Gina's sister Roberta got involved with Relay For Life in Enumclaw, Washington. For a number of years, Gina would travel to Enumclaw to be a part of Relay For Life there. Six years ago, we learned that Polk County was going to have a Relay. We got involved in the 2007 Relay, and have been involved ever since.

My uncle, Delbert Lawry, died from cancer a few of years ago. I lost not only an uncle, but a friend and someone who was willing to help anytime. Since then my sister-in-law Lenora lost her long battle with cancer.  I have come to realize the importance of the work that the American Cancer Society does. It is involved in research, prevention, and helping those who are dealing with cancer.

Now with my Mom's diagnosis, I have even more reasons to work hard in my positions with my local Relay For Life of Polk County, Arkansas and on the Arkansas State Relay For Life Leadership Council.  The procedure that she is having done has only been available for a few years.  For me it is just one more proof that funding cancer research is so vitally important!

Just about everyone has been affected by cancer in one way or another. Relay For Life is a fun way to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society. There is probably no other cause that a person can support that touches more lives. Relay celebrates those who have battled cancer, it remembers those who have fallen, and it provides a way to fight back. That is why I am proud to be a part of Relay For Life. I hope that you will be a part of Relay For Life too. You can go to the Relay For Life website and search for an event near you.

For more cancer info be sure to check out cancer.org and the Polk County Relay For Life blog.