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About Nancy O’Hagan
A few days before my first wedding anniversary, at age 29, I collapsed on the subway in Boston. I was taken to the emergency room at Massachusetts General Hospital. There, I was diagnosed with extensive liver tumors that displace the majority of my liver, as well as with innumerable bony tumors. The doctors were grim and gave me a few months to live. For years, I had experienced tremendous fatigue and abdominal pain and, eventually, intense flushing. My doctors always told me these symptoms resulted from the stress of working long hours as a tax attorney. In fact, these symptoms were caused by carcinoid cancer and its metastatic effects known as Carcinoid Syndrome. My diagnosis was confirmed several weeks later by a liver biopsy. Carcinoid is a deadly neuroendocrine cancer. I am thankful to be alive, but I am greatly disappointed there is no cure. Chemotherapy is typically ineffective for this cancer. Like other carcinoid patients, I receive regular shots of Sandostatin® and intravenous infusions of Aredia®. I have undergone two hepatic artery embolizations to contain my liver metastases. I have also participated in two clinical trials—one using a radioisotope called Yttrium-90, and the other using an anti-angiogenesis drug called Endostatin®. None of these treatments resulted in tumor regression. I founded the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation to support leading scientists whose research will lead to a cure for carcinoid. I know the lonely feeling of fighting an incurable cancer that receives little governmental research funding and little pharmaceutical company interest. I also know that greater insight into carcinoid cancer will result in greater insight into other cancers such as neuroendocrine, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and prostate. The Caring for Carcinoid Foundation is unique in its focus on research. We pursue a clearly defined, 3-step research road map based on guidance from our Board of Scientific Advisors. The scientists we support are already making progress. However, we urgently need your help to expedite and expand the research. Carcinoid patients struggle and die every day because no cure exists. Please join us in this fight. 100% of all donations directly support carcinoid cancer research and are tax-deductible. Together, we will achieve our mission. Thank you for your dedication and generosity. Warmest regards, Nancy O’Hagan Learn more about Nancy:Nancy selected to join NCI Gastrointestinal Cancer Steering Committee Nancy wins "40 Under 40" award from Boston Business Journal
Watch Nancy's TV interview on NECN (Jan 18, 2007) Watch Nancy's TV interview on NECN (Jun 21, 2006) Watch Nancy's TV interview on NECN (Mar 29, 2006) Watch Nancy's TV interview on NECN (Feb 15, 2006) |
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CFCF Announces Partnership with Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Matthew Kulke posts inaugural entry to CFCF Research Blog
Nancy O'Hagan appointed to Neuroendocrine Task Force of NCI Gastrointestinal Steering Committee
Dr. Arnold Levine joins
CFCF Board of Scientific Advisors
Dr. Evan Vosburgh
joins
CFCF Board of Scientific Advisors
CFCF-funded researcher
Dr. Andrew Leiter published in Developmental Biology
CFCF launches Insider Pages online fundraiser
CFCF enters 2008 Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic
Blackwood family launches
"Tri to Find a Cure for Carcinoid Cancer" Triathlon
Rose Colleran
runs
Boston Marathon for CFCF
2008 Run for Hope open
for
registration
Novartis launches new
clinical trial for
metastatic carcinoid patients
SIRT
Symposium on
May 2-3, 2008 in Chicago
Is it possible to cure carcinoid?
How long will it take to
cure carcinoid?
How much money will be needed to cure carcinoid?
Will achieving our mission benefit all carcinoid patients?
Join Team CFCF in
2008 Pan-Mass Challenge
P.S. Prints sells sunflower
t-shirts, mugs, postcards, etc.