News from the Director

Public support for the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is truly amazing and one of the most gratifying aspects of serving as director.

In this issue of Crossroads, we see many examples of this support. The Cancer Center’s 2009 ArtBLINK Gala was another outstanding success. This year we had 20 of Alabama’s most outstanding artists create masterpieces in “the blink of an eye”—just 90 minutes—that were auctioned off to benefit the center. The fact that 20 artists would volunteer their valuable time and talents to the Cancer Center is humbling. The turnout for the Gala was outstanding in spite of the shaky economy, and it reflects the public’s belief in the Cancer Center’s crucial mission: to help eliminate cancer as a major public health problem.            

Also in this issue, we have stories about other volunteers: our 13 new members of the center’s Advisory Board and Jane Van Eaton, one of our many new Comprehensive Cancer Center Ambassadors who assist patients and families during their first-day visits to our clinics.            

We are also very excited about the renovation of the Wallace Tumor Institute, the primary location for the Cancer Center’s research enterprise and administrative offices.  As you will see, this renovation will transform the “face” and “front door” of the Cancer Center.            

In our cover story, we spotlight three cancers that do not generally get the public recognition that more common cancers receive. These “rare” cancers, however, receive considerable attention from UAB clinicians and researchers attempting to understand and treat them more effectively.            

I would be remiss if I did not again express my deep appreciation to the citizens of Alabama and the region for continuing to support your UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. Together we will reach our goal and see the day when cancer is no longer a major public health problem.              

Edward Partridge, M.D.
Director and Evalina B. Spencer Chair in Oncology