PHILANTHROPY
UH CANCER CENTER , A HUB FOR CANCER RESEARCH AND LEARNING
The UH Cancer Center welcomed a new cohort of summer interns as part of the training program Cancer Research Education , Advancement , Training and Empowerment ( CREATE ). The program , currently in its second year , is supported by a five-year competitive grant from the National Institutes of Health and builds on over 20 years of summer undergraduate training at the Cancer Center .
The goal of CREATE is to offer enhanced research training experiences to help science-minded students emerge as the next generation of cancer researchers in Hawai ‘ i and the Pacific . The internship program runs from May 31 to July 29 , and is designed for undergraduate sophomores and juniors . In addition to the summer program , CREATE offers first-year graduate students the opportunity to gain research experience for one semester .
To be eligible for the internship program , students must be residents of Hawai ‘ i or Guam , and affiliated with an accredited college or university . This year , out of 59 applicants , 20 undergraduate students were selected . Each student is partnered with mentors from the Center ’ s faculty to work on projects in two program areas : Cancer Biology and Population Sciences in the Pacific .
CREATE interns participate in multidisciplinary seminars , workshops , and career development sessions to gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with the Center ’ s ongoing research . The CREATE program demonstrates the UH Cancer Center ’ s commitment to provide innovative training and mentorship experiences to individuals seeking careers in cancer research .
MY BROTHER ’ S LIFE OF EXTRAORDINARY KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY by Ken Lum
Bernard and Pamela Lum ’ s blind date led to 33 years of traveling internationally , attending UH basketball games , sharing meals as aspiring foodies , seeing foreign films , and going for long walks . Before cancer took their lives five years apart , Bernard and Pamela Lum reserved portions of their estate for cancer research and for educating Hawai ‘ i ’ s health care professionals .
My brother Bernard was many things — modest , wise , courageous , and community-minded , for starters . When he knew his nine-year battle with cancer was ending , he invited family to visit him , to share memories and say goodbye . I will never forget his final advice : live in the moment . Don ’ t sweat the small stuff . Be kind and generous in all things big and small . You never know the difference you can make in someone ’ s life .
That was Bernie . In his self-written obituary , he said , “ Like most , I was just a hard-working , contributing member of our community .” In his remarkable life , Bernie made a difference for others . He continues to do so through several
Bernard and Pamela in Japan , 2015 .
UH endowment funds , some in his name and some in the name of his wife Pam , who also passed due to cancer .
He often said although it was too late for him and Pam , he was joyful imagining countless ways he could make a difference for someone else , even after his time on earth . For this reason , Bernie and Pam designated funds for cancer research and for scholarships — at JABSOM and in nursing at UH Hilo . Because they were foodies , they also established a culinary arts scholarship at Kapi ‘ olani Community College .
These decisions were not morbid for them . I remember my brother ’ s joy , even in his weakened state , knowing he could make a difference for people he would never meet .
Although I miss him terribly , his spirit lives when we remember , among other things , to be kind and generous in all things big and small .
To support the Cancer Center , contact Lynne Wooddell at ( 808 ) 356-5757 or lynne . wooddell @ uhfoundation . org
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