Christopher Pennell PhD. represented the UofM Cancer Center and reported on the developments in cancer research. Dr. Pennell told the story of Emily Whitehead, a young girl from Pennsylvania, who at age five was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. The rate of survival from this type of cancer in 1960 was 10%, now it is 90%.
Cancer is a wide-ranging term for more than 200 different diseases. It is caused by the code failure of our DNA when making new cells. With 300,000,000 cells made in the body per day, the odds are not in our favor for a mistake to happen, and for cancer to be present. 1:2 males and 1:3 female in Minnesota will die of cancer. Dr. Pennell, explained some new advances they are working to curve that number down through their research and development.
The Cancer Center at the UofM is a comprehensive center. From services of: preventive treatment, patient care, palliative care, research, and advocacy which drives public health legislation. The fight against cancer has moved to the smallest battleground possible, Genetics. Helping our bodies fight stronger with Immunotherapies which help create a white blood cell system that attacks cancer cells naturally.
Emily Whitehead was losing the battle to cancer with chemotherapy treatments not effective. With advances made by the Cancer Center of the UofM, Emily is now 13 years old and 7 years cancer-free! :)
For more information about the UofM cancer center, you are welcome to contact our speaker by email. Pennell001@uofm.edu To listen back to this presentation click the following link. UofM_20_0603 
