| Moffitt Research and Reports |
SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY
by Bill Swisher
Shari Pilon-Thomas, Ph.D., uses sunscreen every day.
She does that to avoid melanoma, and she should know. Her work is helping Moffitt Cancer Center learn
more about this most serious form of skin cancer.
Pilon-Thomas is a research scientist who heads the Immunotherapy Laboratory in Moffitt's Department of
Translational Science, as well as an assistant professor at the University of South Florida. At Moffitt the lab
projects she's in charge of include experiments dealing with breast cancer, brain tumors, and pancreatic and
skin cancers.
One reason tumors grow, Pilon-Thomas said, is because they're able
to overcome the body's immune system. “This new project is geared to
shutting off the suppression tumor cells can generate that would foil the
activated T-cells” -- white-blood cells whose job is to help the immune system's response to a tumor. When cells
in a tumor suppress the body's T-cells, “the immune system ignores the tumor. We're trying to improve the
immune system,” she said.
The next step: clinical trials, the scientific term for experiments involving informed, consenting human
patients. How quickly those will get started “depends on the level of funding (available), approvals from the FDA
and USF, and the availability of compounds. But just with the initial studies, we ought to be able to have the trials
started in a year to a year-and-a-half if everything falls into place,” Pilon-Thomas said.
Is the work at Moffitt pretty much what she expected? “I had no idea what I thought it would be. I had to get
out the map to find the place,” she said.
“But I love Tampa -- and Moffitt.”
by Bill Swisher
Shari Pilon-Thomas, Ph.D., uses sunscreen every day.
She does that to avoid melanoma, and she should know. Her work is helping Moffitt Cancer Center learn
more about this most serious form of skin cancer.
Pilon-Thomas is a research scientist who heads the Immunotherapy Laboratory in Moffitt's Department of
Translational Science, as well as an assistant professor at the University of South Florida. At Moffitt the lab
projects she's in charge of include experiments dealing with breast cancer, brain tumors, and pancreatic and
skin cancers.
One reason tumors grow, Pilon-Thomas said, is because they're able
to overcome the body's immune system. “This new project is geared to
shutting off the suppression tumor cells can generate that would foil the
activated T-cells” -- white-blood cells whose job is to help the immune system's response to a tumor. When cells
in a tumor suppress the body's T-cells, “the immune system ignores the tumor. We're trying to improve the
immune system,” she said.
The next step: clinical trials, the scientific term for experiments involving informed, consenting human
patients. How quickly those will get started “depends on the level of funding (available), approvals from the FDA
and USF, and the availability of compounds. But just with the initial studies, we ought to be able to have the trials
started in a year to a year-and-a-half if everything falls into place,” Pilon-Thomas said.
Is the work at Moffitt pretty much what she expected? “I had no idea what I thought it would be. I had to get
out the map to find the place,” she said.
“But I love Tampa -- and Moffitt.”
THE 2008 MAGNOLIA BALL
| Pinellas Partners for |
| H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER & RESEARCH INSTITUTE |
| Steering Committee Members Scott Andringa Brian Aungst Rob Bauer Ernestine Bean Beverly Billiris Bruce Bokor Joe Burdette Aaron Cohn Gary Conners William Crown Jodie Cunningham Edward & Marsha Droste Holly Duncan Ron & Ann Duncan Jackie Edgington Larry Feder Fred Fisher Doug Graska Lucy Grinnell Bob "Gator" Handley Lindsay Hardee Mary Harvey Judy Mitchell Pam Muma Bob Passwaters Ron Petrini David Ruppel Leslie Schipani-Anderson Karen Seel Julie Shannon Covington Sharp Gary Skinner Laverne Smith Richard Spayde Susan Stern Bill Swisher Dan Walker Gregory Wright |
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| David "Lags" Lageschulte and Anna Burns |
The Magnolia Ball, the most elegant of all black-tie galas in the Tampa Bay area, raised $3.2 million for the
Moffitt Cancer Center on May 3 at Tampa's A La Carte Pavilion.
With Chicago as the entertainment and a roomful of very generous supporters, the evening surpassed all
expectations and became a night to remember for everyone who attended.
Ed and Marsha Droste were the event chairs for this magical night. Ed is the chairman-elect for the Moffitt
Foundation's Board of Directors. His wife, Marsha, shares his passion for Moffitt Cancer Center and the
research to end cancer in our lifetime. The Kentucky Derby was shown on TV screens during the cocktail
reception and silent auction.
After guests dined on a sumptuous feast of filet mignon and lobster tails, the live auction got under way. A
trip for eight aboard a private yacht, a trip to the Masters Golf Tournament, a 12-night Mediterranean cruise,
and a trip through the Black Forest in Germany were some of the most sought after auction items.
The action grew fierce when the bidding for the private vacation aboard the yacht Hooters Patrol IV got to
the point where two bidders had raised the stakes to between $48,000 and $49,000. After a brief discussion,
the owners of the yacht, Ed Droste, David Lageschulte and Dale Reginer offered the vacation to both parties
for $50,000 each.
Audience bids on all of the other items raised the total to $197,000. Maher Chevrolet generously matched
all bids that met the market price of the item, up to $100,000, bringing the live-auction total to $297,000.
Deborah Llewellyn, a five-year cancer survivor, gave a moving account of her battle with Hodgkin's disease
and her life saving experience with Moffitt Cancer Center. Her story touched the hearts of everyone in the room
as it reminded us that cancer can strike anyone, at any age.
In a very moving gesture of kindness, one of the groups that won the private yacht vacation offered it to
Deborah and her new husband, James. The generous donors of this magnificent trip were Coby Brooks and
Mike McNeil, the CEO and vice president of Marketing for Hooters of America.
Finally, as if we hadn't already been treated to an amazing night already, one of the most popular bands of
all time Chicago took to the stage. The crowd was on its feet immediately and didn't stop dancing until the last
song was over. What an exciting end to a perfect evening.
Moffitt Pinellas Partners hosted a table of 12 and totally enjoyed the camaraderie of sharing in such a
remarkable fund raising event. Next year, we hope to double or triple our participation by encouraging more of
our partners to come out and enjoy this gala event.
Moffitt Cancer Center on May 3 at Tampa's A La Carte Pavilion.
With Chicago as the entertainment and a roomful of very generous supporters, the evening surpassed all
expectations and became a night to remember for everyone who attended.
Ed and Marsha Droste were the event chairs for this magical night. Ed is the chairman-elect for the Moffitt
Foundation's Board of Directors. His wife, Marsha, shares his passion for Moffitt Cancer Center and the
research to end cancer in our lifetime. The Kentucky Derby was shown on TV screens during the cocktail
reception and silent auction.
After guests dined on a sumptuous feast of filet mignon and lobster tails, the live auction got under way. A
trip for eight aboard a private yacht, a trip to the Masters Golf Tournament, a 12-night Mediterranean cruise,
and a trip through the Black Forest in Germany were some of the most sought after auction items.
The action grew fierce when the bidding for the private vacation aboard the yacht Hooters Patrol IV got to
the point where two bidders had raised the stakes to between $48,000 and $49,000. After a brief discussion,
the owners of the yacht, Ed Droste, David Lageschulte and Dale Reginer offered the vacation to both parties
for $50,000 each.
Audience bids on all of the other items raised the total to $197,000. Maher Chevrolet generously matched
all bids that met the market price of the item, up to $100,000, bringing the live-auction total to $297,000.
Deborah Llewellyn, a five-year cancer survivor, gave a moving account of her battle with Hodgkin's disease
and her life saving experience with Moffitt Cancer Center. Her story touched the hearts of everyone in the room
as it reminded us that cancer can strike anyone, at any age.
In a very moving gesture of kindness, one of the groups that won the private yacht vacation offered it to
Deborah and her new husband, James. The generous donors of this magnificent trip were Coby Brooks and
Mike McNeil, the CEO and vice president of Marketing for Hooters of America.
Finally, as if we hadn't already been treated to an amazing night already, one of the most popular bands of
all time Chicago took to the stage. The crowd was on its feet immediately and didn't stop dancing until the last
song was over. What an exciting end to a perfect evening.
Moffitt Pinellas Partners hosted a table of 12 and totally enjoyed the camaraderie of sharing in such a
remarkable fund raising event. Next year, we hope to double or triple our participation by encouraging more of
our partners to come out and enjoy this gala event.
| GET CONNECTED - STAY CONNECTED |
| Dr. Shari Pilon-Thomas |
| From left: Co-hosts, Ed and Marsha Droste with Mary Harvey and Jack Boone |
| GET CONNECTED - STAY CONNECTED |
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
by Mary Harvey, Pinellas Partners Co-chair
by Mary Harvey, Pinellas Partners Co-chair
One of the most highly anticipated moments of the evening came when
David Lageschulte, affectionately known as Lags, offered a match challenge
of $750,000 to the audience. Match challenges have been done at the
Magnolia Ball for the past several years, but never has such a generous
amount been pledged by one person.
Within the next several minutes paddles, were raised throughout the room
as the audience not only met but exceeded Lags's challenge. Then, in a
surprise announcement that stunned the crowd, Nicholas Valvano of the V
Foundation pledged an additional $750,000 to the Moffitt Foundation, bringing
the total of the pledge match to $2,549,000. This amount has not been raised
in a pledge match in the Tampa Bay area in recent memory, if ever.
Moffitt will use the $3.2 million raised at the event for cancer research,
patient care, education and the Magnolia Lodging Program, which last year
provided 6,500 patients and family members with 32,000 nights of lodging
during their treatment at the cancer center.
David Lageschulte, affectionately known as Lags, offered a match challenge
of $750,000 to the audience. Match challenges have been done at the
Magnolia Ball for the past several years, but never has such a generous
amount been pledged by one person.
Within the next several minutes paddles, were raised throughout the room
as the audience not only met but exceeded Lags's challenge. Then, in a
surprise announcement that stunned the crowd, Nicholas Valvano of the V
Foundation pledged an additional $750,000 to the Moffitt Foundation, bringing
the total of the pledge match to $2,549,000. This amount has not been raised
in a pledge match in the Tampa Bay area in recent memory, if ever.
Moffitt will use the $3.2 million raised at the event for cancer research,
patient care, education and the Magnolia Lodging Program, which last year
provided 6,500 patients and family members with 32,000 nights of lodging
during their treatment at the cancer center.
| From left: Janice Case, Chris Frederick, Wally Pope, Ann Duncan, Ron Duncan and Jim Case |
A chemistry major at the University of Michigan, Pilon-Thomas was
planning on attending medical school. “But I had taken a graduate
course in immunology in my senior year and really liked it. So at the last
minute I decided I really wanted to do what I'm doing now -- cancer
research,” she said.
“I applied to grad school at Wayne State University in Detroit and got
my degree in a classical immunology department, but I did my research
in cancer biology. I worked on a breast and ovarian cancer vaccine
because that was the field of my mentor, Dr. Wei-Zen Wei.”
After getting her doctorate in 2002, she got a post-doctoral fellowship
at the University of Michigan in the laboratory of Jim Mulé, Ph.D., and
then came to Moffitt in 2003.
Her current research at Moffitt involves using a group of cells in the
human body known as dendritic cells to educate other immune cells to
attack melanoma tumors.
planning on attending medical school. “But I had taken a graduate
course in immunology in my senior year and really liked it. So at the last
minute I decided I really wanted to do what I'm doing now -- cancer
research,” she said.
“I applied to grad school at Wayne State University in Detroit and got
my degree in a classical immunology department, but I did my research
in cancer biology. I worked on a breast and ovarian cancer vaccine
because that was the field of my mentor, Dr. Wei-Zen Wei.”
After getting her doctorate in 2002, she got a post-doctoral fellowship
at the University of Michigan in the laboratory of Jim Mulé, Ph.D., and
then came to Moffitt in 2003.
Her current research at Moffitt involves using a group of cells in the
human body known as dendritic cells to educate other immune cells to
attack melanoma tumors.
PINELLAS PARTNERS PRIDE The 2008 Magnolia Ball gave Pinellas Partners a very proud moment when Ronnie and Ann Duncan held up their paddle and pledged $50,000.00 at the Pinellas Partners table. They were joined by 12 Pinellas Partners members who generously helped toward the $3.2 million raised on this auspicious night. Thank you. |