Innovations Spring 2020 | Page 5

SPRING 2020

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Monica McLaren President
Sue Palumbo Vice-President
Sheri-Ann Higa Treasurer
Rex T . Chang Adelia C . Dung Dennis E . Francis Dale T . Kobayashi Don Murphy Jason K . Nagai Diane T . Ono Anne Marie Rizzo Penelope Rogers Mitchell Taira Mary Worrall A . James Wriston Jr . Christopher M . Yasuma
President ’ s Message
Aloha , friends and supporters of the UH Cancer Center !
I am privileged and humbled to step into the role of president of the Friends of the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center board this year . Like many of you , my life has been touched by cancer , with family and friends who are survivors , and also by loss .
Presently , our hope for the health and wellness of everyone in our community goes out to all during these challenging times of COVID-19 . Each of us needs to do our part to overcome this challenge in the short and long term .
However , we also know that the important work of the UH Cancer Center cannot stop , even during times like these . The more I learn about the work of the Cancer Center and its passionate researchers and staff , the more I feel the need to join the fight to end cancer . Going forward , here ’ s how we can all participate :
WORKING TO FIND THE CURE
n EDUCATION – Knowing what we can each do to lower our own cancer risk and also understanding available resources when cancer does strike is vital for our health . The Friends sponsors newsletters , symposiums and events for those purposes .
n CLINICAL TRIALS - Participating in clinical trials supports research and moves us closer to cancer prevention and cures . I just joined the National Cancer Institute ’ s TMIST ( Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial ) to help researchers learn about the best ways to find breast cancer . As a mother with a daughter and numerous nieces , I am excited to be able to do something that might make a difference in their and many other lives .
n FINANCIAL – Your donation to the Friends enables us to fund initiatives that support the UH Cancer Center , its clinical trial participants and summer interns , and many others in our community .
You can learn more about what we do at friendsofuhcc . org . When appropriate , we hope you will consider joining the efforts in one or more of the ways above . Working together , we can beat cancer . I ’ m proud to participate in every way that I can !
Please stay safe and well .
Monica McLaren President , Friends of the UH Cancer Center