The University of Vermont Cancer Center

The University of Vermont Cancer Center The UVM Cancer Center is a not-for-profit comprehensive clinical and research cancer center, the only such organization in the state of Vermont.

This week, My NBC5 visited Norton’s Gallery in Shoreham, VT, where folk artist Norton Latourelle is hand-carving wooden ...
12/11/2025

This week, My NBC5 visited Norton’s Gallery in Shoreham, VT, where folk artist Norton Latourelle is hand-carving wooden cardinals in memory of his wife, Marlene, who passed away from glioblastoma at UVM Cancer Center.
Through his project, Marlene’s Cardinals, Norton is turning grief into hope—donating every dollar from these beautiful carvings to support glioblastoma research and patient care at UVMCC.
These cardinals aren’t just art. They’re symbols of love, resilience, and remembrance for anyone who has lost a loved one.
We are deeply grateful for Norton’s compassion and dedication—and for the incredible impact he’s making in our community.
🎥 Link to NBC5’s feature on Marlene’s Cardinals in comments.
UVM Health - UVM Medical Center
The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont

November is National Family Caregivers Month—a time to honor the people who make healing possible behind the scenes. In ...
11/25/2025

November is National Family Caregivers Month—a time to honor the people who make healing possible behind the scenes.

In Vermont, 135,000 caregivers provide essential support to those facing health challenges. Most are women, and nearly all help with daily tasks like meal prep, medication, and managing finances—often at a personal cost. The average caregiver is 52 years old, caring for someone around age 70.

When cancer enters the picture, caregiving takes on a unique energy.

“With cancer, oftentimes it's an intense and short period of caring,” says Maija Reblin, PhD, and a UVM Cancer Center member. "No one plans to become a cancer caregiver. Sometimes you don't have time to learn your role and get used to things.”

In rural Vermont, travel can be a barrier. “Treatment and follow-up appointments require a lot more planning,” Reblin says. “If a caregiver wants to be at that appointment to hear what's going on, they've got to take off work.”

For every cancer patient, there’s likely at least one caregiver—and often more. Many provide invisible support, clearing the way for patients by managing life’s details. This month, let’s honor their unseen labor and advocate for resources and policies that make caregiving sustainable.

If you are a caregiver, take a look at UVMCC's Caregiver Survey and resources.
🔗 Links in comment.

Lung cancer starts small. You might not even have symptoms.  A lung screening is a quick and painless scan that finds ca...
11/13/2025

Lung cancer starts small. You might not even have symptoms. A lung screening is a quick and painless scan that finds cancer hiding in your lungs. Caught early, lung cancer is easier to treat and has a survival rate of 65%. So if you're a current or former smoker, ask your doctor about getting screened. It could save your life.
🔗 See link in comments for more info about lung screening guidelines.
The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont
University of Vermont Health
University of Vermont Medical Center

Hey friends. It's Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and we're here to tell you about lung screening--the quickest and easiest...
11/06/2025

Hey friends. It's Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and we're here to tell you about lung screening--the quickest and easiest cancer screening out there. If you're a current or former smoker, ask your doctor about getting screened. It's a small step that could have a big impact on your health. Remember, early detection is critical! 🌟 Visit go.uvm.edu/lung for more info about lung screening guidelines.
The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont University of Vermont Health

Amazing news about Tom Golisano's transformative $25 million gift to the newly named Golisano Children's Hospital at UVM...
10/31/2025

Amazing news about Tom Golisano's transformative $25 million gift to the newly named Golisano Children's Hospital at UVM Health! This generous donation will have a lasting impact on the lives of children and families across our region, including those facing pediatric cancer.
Thank you, Tom Golisano, for your vision and commitment to advancing children’s health. We’re honored to be part of this next chapter!

Did you catch Kara Landry, MD, on Across the Fence? 🎙️ A medical oncologist specializing in breast oncology and cancer g...
10/30/2025

Did you catch Kara Landry, MD, on Across the Fence? 🎙️ A medical oncologist specializing in breast oncology and cancer genetics, Dr. Landry shared crucial info about genetic screening and new treatments for breast cancer, which has the highest cancer incidence rate in our catchment area. Big thanks to Amy Finley for hosting this important conversation during Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Watch the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8QdMoGQCtk

Ready to Rally Against Cancer? Come cheer on the UVM Women's Soccer Team as they take on New Jersey Institute of Technol...
10/16/2025

Ready to Rally Against Cancer? Come cheer on the UVM Women's Soccer Team as they take on New Jersey Institute of Technology at 6pm, Virtue Field. Bundle up, flash some lavender (in honor of all cancers) and join us with UVM Athletics and Mascoma Bank in support of a good cause!

What a turnout for the Rally Against Cancer Men's Soccer game! 💜 ⚽️ Our community showed up in full force to support thi...
10/13/2025

What a turnout for the Rally Against Cancer Men's Soccer game! 💜 ⚽️ Our community showed up in full force to support this important cause. Huge thanks to Mascoma Bank and UVM Athletics for partnering with us. Your support helps us continue our mission of advancing cancer research and care.

Throwback to when the UVM Men’s Soccer team brought smiles and soccer balls to patients at the UVM Children's Hospital. ...
10/11/2025

Throwback to when the UVM Men’s Soccer team brought smiles and soccer balls to patients at the UVM Children's Hospital. Every single person in these photos is a hero 🫶 Join *tonight* at 6pm, Virtue Field, to cheer on the team as they take on UMass Lowell for their annual Rally Against Cancer game, presented by Mascoma Bank. Wear lavender the official color to represent all forms of cancer to show your support. 💜 📸: Ryan Mercer / University of Vermont Health.

Calling all Catamount fans! 🐱 On October 11, we're turning Virtue Field lavender for a cause. UVM Men's Soccer takes on ...
10/10/2025

Calling all Catamount fans! 🐱 On October 11, we're turning Virtue Field lavender for a cause. UVM Men's Soccer takes on UMass Lowell at 6PM in our Rally Against Cancer game. Wear your lavender and join UVM Athletics, UVM Cancer Center, and Mascoma Bank as we raise awareness for local cancer research. Your presence makes a difference--see you there! 💜⚽️ Check out the Rally Against Cancer fall schedule: https://bit.ly/3t2KQ4l

Thank you American Cancer Society for inviting us to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk! What an incredible d...
10/08/2025

Thank you American Cancer Society for inviting us to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk! What an incredible day 💕 Special shout out to our patients, their families, and community members - we were so inspired by your stories and loved meeting everyone. 🩷

Stephanie Fraser, MSW, knows her way around the health care system. At age 18, she underwent a kidney transplant. 28 yea...
10/03/2025

Stephanie Fraser, MSW, knows her way around the health care system. At age 18, she underwent a kidney transplant. 28 years later, when that kidney failed, she received another—this time donated by Michelle Pierce, LICSW, her colleague at the UVM Cancer Center. In 2008, 3 years before the 2nd transplant, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent surgery and 6 cycles of chemotherapy, emerging as a survivor.

These experiences gave Steph a profound understanding of what patients endure during major procedures and treatments. She has channeled that insight into her role as an oncology social worker at UVMCC—becoming the first in that position at UVM Medical Center 25 years ago.

“Cancer was an educational journey for me,” Steph says. “It helped me understand what my patients were going through.”

Steph has since paved the way for others who share her passion for supporting and advocating for cancer patients. “Steph is my hero, and one of the most resilient people I know,” says Pierce. “She gives unwavering emotional support to her patients while seeking resources that may make their cancer experience a little more bearable."

Helping people is just one of Steph’s superpowers. The other is her tenacity. Since 1986, she has competed in the Transplant Games—a multi-sport event celebrating life after transplant. At her first Games, she medaled in 7 events. At the International Games in 1997, she earned a gold in cycling—beating both men and women. Cycling became her favorite event, and she has since raced to raise awareness and funds for health care causes.

Friday, October 3, 2025, marks Steph’s final day at UVMCC before she begins her next chapter: retirement. She plans to spend time in nature, return to photography—another of her passions—and volunteer.

“I never knew I was going to live this long,” she reflects. “But I’m here, doing what I love, and now I get to focus on myself.”
Pix courtesy of Steph Fraser
University of Vermont Health UVM Health - UVM Medical Center

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