Hollings Cancer Center
at the Medical University of South Carolina
Pictured left to right: Dr. Greenberg, Mrs. Sanford, Dr. Kraft,
Senator Graham, Congressman Brown, Senator Hollings
Jenny Sanford 3/6/2009
My mother has taught me some important things in her 3 ½ decades fighting cancer. Cancer is multi-causal, with more than one factor setting it on its course. Likewise, the key to survival often includes a number of things working together – strong faith, positive attitude, early detection, and of course the best possible care and treatment. These things work together and collaborate, to save lives.
The news that the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina has received designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) should be cheered across the state. NCI designation means that Hollings Cancer Center is conducting research capable of contributing to the war on cancer in South Carolina and beyond.
In the same manner, this NCI designation will allow Hollings Cancer Center, and a host of hospitals across this state, to work together with better resources and more research, to continue our battle against cancer. It will provide us the opportunity to discover better treatments and cures for a host of cancers but also to learn more about what causes cancers, to learn from our disparities, and together to save the lives of more South Carolinians.
Hollings Cancer Center is the only institution in South Carolina to hold this distinction, and one of only 64 in the nation. This recognition comes with more than $7 million in federal funding for basic and clinical cancer research. This will help attract the best researchers and physicians working in the field to bring the most cutting-edge treatments to patients in SC and beyond.
Designation has the potential to make a powerful impact on the state’s economy. All NCI-designated cancer centers receive substantial financial support from NCI grants which, in turn, attract more investment from public and private sources. It has been estimated that the economic benefit to the state’s economy over five years will be $55-$68 million.
But most important is what this means for patients, now and in the future. The most immediate benefit will be increased access to clinical trials and new therapies by patients who otherwise might not have access.
South Carolina’s cancer rates are alarming. Two out of five South Carolinians will develop cancer in their lives, with prostate, breast, lung, and colon cancers being the most frequently diagnosed. In terms of mortality, the state ranks second in the nation for multiple myeloma (a blood cancer) and third in the nation for prostate and oral/esophageal cancers.
It is through clinical trials that new treatments—and possibly one day a cure—are found. These novel therapies begin as ideas for innovation in the laboratories and are tested rigorously before they offered to humans participating in these trials. This is how the most important treatment advances are made. Clinical trials have helped save many lives too – my mother lives today because of a clinical trial she participated in at NCI 20 years ago.
Hollings has established a clinical trials network with practices and hospitals throughout the state. This network is available to anyone providing cancer care so patients can participate in cutting-edge trials where they live. This means South Carolina residents do not have to leave the state to seek treatment at an NCI center.
For now, the Hollings Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated cancer center between North Carolina and Tampa, Florida. While it is clear that patients throughout the state can receive great care in their communities, this new designation for Hollings holds much promise for everyone. Promise in the form of new discoveries that will leave the labs and offer hope for better treatments. Through research, Hollings will be developing new tools for everyone to use.
The chances are significant that I or my boys will one day find ourselves in a serious fight against cancer as my mother does and now it is truly possible that we will not have to travel out of state to get the best of care. I believe we will have the best of care right here. For that, I am truly and personally thankful.
To learn more about the Hollings Cancer Center, please visit www.hcc.musc.edu.
Pictured left to right: Senator Graham, Mrs. Sanford, Dr. Kraft