Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation Newsletter Thompson Cancer Survival Center...20 years of leading to the cure Thompson Cancer Survival Center holds 20th Anniversary Celebration Party with a Purpose Leaving a Legacy of Giving   Thompson Cancer Survival Center...20 years of leading to the cure (10/31/08) a man - and a community's - determination to fight cancer Thompson Cancer Survival Center was created from one man’s battle against cancer and the community’s efforts and generosity in supporting his commitment to bring world-class cancer care to East Tennessee. The fight began in 1953, as cancer slowly took the life of Mary Louise Thompson. As Mrs. Thompson’s disease progressed, her husband, B. Ray Thompson, Sr., formed a steadfast resolve to fight the disease. In 1987 cancer took his life as well, but even then it didn’t beat him. Mr. Thompson’s commitment to bring world-class cancer care to East Tennessee was about to be realized. After investing more than 30 years of effort, tireless determination, millions of dollars of his own money – and many millions more from community benefactors – B. Ray Thompson, Sr. made his commitment a reality. Three months before he died, he turned the first spade of earth at the groundbreaking for Thompson Cancer Survival Center and construction began. Just over a year later Thompson Cancer Survival Center opened, and in the 20 years since, therapies pioneered at Thompson have transformed – and saved – the lives of thousands of cancer patients here. Carol Cannon Chapman helped make Thompson a reality. Her concept of the facility as a place where people would come to survive the disease was incorporated into the name, Thompson Cancer Survival Center. B. Ray Thompson, Sr.’s battle against cancer continues today. Your generosity helps keep Thompson Cancer Survival Center at the forefront of care by providing the resources to acquire and develop advanced medicines, leading-edge technologies and breakthrough treatments to battle against cancer. Hundreds of clinical trials have brought the latest cancer-fighting drugs to patients with lymphoma, myeloma and brain, breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy for Barrett’s esophagus was originally developed at Thompson. The procedure replaces surgery with a laser treatment that is less invasive and more effective. The world’s first prostate, breast, lung, head and neck, spine and pediatric TomoTherapy patients were all treated at Thompson – the first clinical facility in the world with this third-generation radiation therapy technology. Thompson had one of the world’s first LSO Pet scanners, and is now pioneering the next generation of PET-CT with the Biograph TruePoint, a new technology that can find tumors faster and more accurately than ever before. Thompson at Methodist pioneered high-dose-rate brachytherapy in the region. Now lung, breast, gynecological and esophageal cancer patients receive this advanced treatment at Thompson facilities. Thompson was one of the first facilities in the world to treat patients with intensitymodulated radiation therapy, which reshapes the treatment field between individual doses of radiation, so the beam is matched to the shape of the tumor. In the last 10 years, more than 1,000 patients have received IMRT treatment here. Three-dimensional treatment planning – which delivers more accurately-configured radiation dose to tumors – was pioneered at Thompson, one of the first 50 facilities in the country to use the technology. As a leading-edge radiation therapy facility, Thompson established a medical physics residency program to provide advanced training to medical physicists. The program is ranked in the top four nationwide. Thompson Comprehensive Breast Center’s new Senographe® Essential digital mammography system’s unprecedented capabilities represent a significant advance in breast health. Thompson facilities provide both palladium seed implants and ultrasound-guided seed implants for prostate cancer patients. As the area’s exclusive host affiliate of the M. D. Anderson Physicians Network®, Thompson brings 51 top cancer specialists access to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center’s evidencebased guidelines and treatment plans, multidisciplinary planning, conferences, concordance studies and other resources. Thompson has East Tennessee’s only nationally-accredited autologous stem cell transplant therapy. So patients with Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, relapsed testicular cancer and some types of acute leukemia can receive potentially life saving high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation without travelling far from home. Thompson pioneered local use of multidisciplinary chest and breast conferences and clinics which bring together leading physicians from all areas of cancer care and other top clinicians to review each patient’s case. After the conference the patient may meet with individual specialists one at a time. In just one afternoon the diagnosis is confirmed, and a course of treatment can be agreed upon and scheduled. With the support of the BUDDY’S Race Against Cancer, Thompson’s Cancer Outreach Services brings free or low-cost services to people who are most at risk or medically underserved. B. Ray Thompson, Sr. was the driving force behind Thompson Cancer Survival Center, but he wasn’t alone. Thousands of cancer survivors and the entire East Tennessee community owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the benefactors whose contributions helped bring Thompson into being 20 years ago. More than 21,000 people and organizations have contributed – and continue to contribute – to help us in the never-ending quest to advance cancer care in East Tennessee.   Thompson Cancer Survival Center holds 20th Anniversary Celebration (10/31/08) On the evening of September 5, Thompson Cancer Survival Center began the celebration of its 20th anniversary with a reception at Crescent Bend - Armstrong-Lockett House. More than 250 guests – including employees, physicians, cancer survivors and community leaders – gathered outside the historic home to celebrate twenty years of transforming and saving the lives of thousands of cancer patients in East Tennessee, throughout the U.S., and from all around the world. It was a warm and muggy evening, but the weather did not dampen the celebratory mood. Inside, an impressive ice sculpture with Thompson’s 20th Anniversary logo and a bountiful buffet table greeted guests. Outside, music by the Tracey Ozier Jazz Band, beautiful floral arrangements by Samuel Franklin and an inspiring program hosted by WBIR-TV anchor emeritus Bill Williams, himself a two-time cancer survivor, set the stage for the memorable event. Among those in attendance were U.S. Congressman John J. Duncan Jr., E.B. Copeland, Bill and Ginny Morrow, LaMuriel Smothers, Virginia Smothers, Frank and Judy Rothermel, Maggie Erickson, Iris Greer, Sue Groves, Will Pugh, Tommy and Charlene McGaha, Jim and Erin VanderSteeg, and Tony and Sharon Spezia. Bill Williams’ wife, Wanda, was also on hand for the festivities. Others joining in the celebration were Covenant Health board members Pam Fansler, Larry Martin, Tommy McGaha and Francis Olmstead with wife, Mary Helen. Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation board members enjoying the evening included Bill Carroll and his wife, Clara, Suzanne Lindsey and Gale Montgomery. Several physicians and their spouses also attended the celebration, including Dr. Randall and Marguerite Graham, Dr. Rick and T. Grapski, Dr. Spence and Liz McCachren, Dr. Dan and Debbie Scaperoth, Dr. Bill and Victoria McDonald, Dr. Antony Charles, Dr. Paul and Nancy Dudrick, and Dr. Allan and Gail Grossman. The program included presentations by Covenant Health President and CEO Tony Spezia and Thompson’s new Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Lintz. Spezia recognized all Thompson Cancer Survival Center employees, physicians and board members. Lintz recognized Thompson’s 20-year employees Melanie Blevins, Kathie Bowman, Dianna Fuqua, Masoud Panjehpour, Jan Routson, Elmeria Teffeteller, Anita Thompson and Deloris Wittenbarger. At the program’s conclusion, cancer survivors Barbara Fraser, Gail Grossman, Susan Kozak, Ray Laymon, Fran Olmstead and Bill Williams conducted, along with Gordon Lintz, a butterfly release to symbolize new life, hope and restoration.   Party with a Purpose (10/31/08)    Thompson volunteer Susan French This year when Thompson volunteer Susan French turned a year older, she turned it into a means of giving back to others. French, wife of the late George Bruce Nichols and benefactor of the patient resource center named in his honor, had spent her last two birthdays in Belize on a mission trip. Since she would be in town for this birthday, she decided to share the occasion with family and friends. "I have many blessings and everything I need – good health, friends and family," said French. "I told everyone that I didn’t need any personal gifts. Their friendship was the best gift I could receive from them." French found that there were still guests who wanted to bring something to the birthday party. She came up with a creative solution – everyone probably had some new or used books, CDs or videos they no longer wanted, so she would give them a meaningful option. Guests could bring their unwanted items instead of buying a gift or bringing food. All of her "gifts" would then be donated to George Bruce Nichols Patient Resource Center at Thompson. The affair turned out to be an all-day event to accommodate everyone’s schedules. French provided all of the food and drinks for her guests and placed plastic bins at the entrances of her house so they could drop off their donations upon their arrival or departure. In all, over 50 people attended the birthday celebration. French had collected over 300 books, CDs, DVDs, videos and cassettes, as well as over $1000 in donations. Of the items destined for the resource center, some were donated in honor or memory of individuals. Other items were taken to McKay’s Used Book Store for cash or credit to purchase specific items for the resource center. "I hope to make this an annual event since we can’t stop birthdays from occurring," said French. "Why not continue the party?!"   Leaving a Legacy of Giving (10/31/08) A conversation with Mrs. Jo Cochran and her son, Tom Faces of Philanthropy staff recently visited with longtime donor Jo Cochran and her son, Tom, to discuss her support of the Fort Sanders Diabetes Center and many other health care programs of Covenant Health. Mrs. Cochran’s interest in the Diabetes Center is a wonderful example of how generous individuals can make a difference in the health of our communities. Q. Why do you have such a strong interest in diabetes? A. My main interest in diabetes is because my Dad was a diabetic, and died because of it. Both of my brothers are diabetic. I know that it is in our genes and I may very well have it some day. So, I’m just very interested, particularly in the education part of diabetes treatment. I think everybody needs to know where they stand, and that if you learn about the disease early, you can do something about it. Q. How did you first become aware of the Fort Sanders Diabetes Center? A. In 1992, I was chairman of Fort Sanders Foundation board. I enjoyed that so much and learned about many parts of the health system. I could see then how much good the Diabetes Center was doing. Q. In your recent visits to the Diabetes Center, what stands out to you? A. In the times I have been there, I don’t know of any facility that does the job that Covenant Health and Fort Sanders do with diabetes. So many hospitals have given up the educational part because it doesn’t bring in any money. For that reason, and because the founding medical director Dr. Bob Gilbertson has always been such a strong, strong believer in diabetic education, we are getting the education out into the counties, to the people who need it. If you know you have it, you can do something about it. If you don’t know you have it then you just wonder why you are so miserable. Q. You’ve been incredibly generous through the years with Thompson Cancer Survival Center, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, Fort Sanders Foundation, and your volunteer time…and have showed a particular interest in the Diabetes Center as well. Why is it so special to you, beyond just the personal role. What do you think about the role it plays in the community? A. I think education and testing are the most important functions in our community as far as diabetes is concerned. Thanks to Dr. Gilbertson, the Center has kept it in the forefront. It makes me feel so much better now that I’ve been involved with it for several years…and I don’t intend to give it up. That’s what it means to me. I just think it is very, very important. I hope Covenant doesn’t give up either. I know it isn’t anything that brings in a lot of money, but I know that it is so important. Q. One of the newest facets at the Diabetes Center has been the testing. It used to be fairly involved testing process, but now they have this new A1C test that is much simpler. You’ve been very instrumental in bringing that test to people and making it available through your support. When you first heard about that testing and what it can do for someone with the disease, what stuck your mind? A. I had no idea that there was anything like A1c. I had no idea that you could use this test and learn to lower your own diabetic level. There are many now who are using it to manage their diabetes and within a short length of time they have brought their levels down from 7.6 to 6.6. It is just unbelievable that it can do that much for they way they handle their disease. Q. We want to talk about the legacy of your late husband, Litton Cochran, and yourself. We’re sitting beneath a framed article about the legacy that talks about the importance of Litton giving back. You’ve been giving back, and your son, Tom, is supportive of the community. What does that mean to carry on that tradition? A. Well, my husband was a very giving person, he really was. He was interested in so many things. Once we could afford to do so, we gave back to the community as much as we could afford to give back, always. And fortunately, I’ve been blessed and so have my children. They all, each and every one of them…we all try to give back from the means that we have to make a difference. The fact that we live in East Tennessee and can help our community… it is a wonderful place to be. Q. And Tom, tell us about carrying on your Dad’s legacy. Share a little bit about what that means to you. A. It is a little simpler for me. Mom & Dad set the example and all I do is follow it. I enjoy very much doing small things for a lot of different groups. I don’t really specialize in one. I try to help a number of worthwhile organizations. Q. What have you picked up from your parents? What stands out in their leadership role in generosity and giving back? A. It is to lead by example. If you are out there helping people in your community then people will see you doing that. A lot of people will follow that example. And some of the people who have received your help over the years will come back and tell you, “Well now I’m doing it…I’m giving back too.” So it helps to grow the giving if you are consistent with it. The Fort Sanders Diabetes Center is East Tennessee’s diabetes center of choice. Contributions to the Diabetes Support Fund help expand the reach of this program by supporting the purchase of A1c testing kits along with other important needs for enhanced patient care and education. Your gifts also make a difference in helping fund community outreach and certification opportunities for the center’s dedicated staff. Contributions can be in honor or memory of a loved one and can be made now or in the future by establishing a charitable bequest or designating a portion of a life insurance policy or retirement fund. In this way, your gift support comes from what remains after your health care and living needs are met. To find out more about ways you can support the Fort Sanders Diabetes Center and other education and outreach programs throughout our health system, please contact Sharon Mullens at (865) 541-1872 or smullens@covhlth.com. All gifts to these programs qualify as charitable deductions for tax purposes.