OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

10/20/2025

Drs. Lisa Coussens and David Huang were both recognized at this past weekend's National Academy of Medicine induction ceremony.

Both were elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2024 due to their contributions to the fields of cancer research and eye disease diagnosis and care, respectively. 🙌

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3A3fIFL

10/17/2025

Fall foliage is in full force on Marquam Hill 🍂🍃🍁

10/14/2025

“They knew exactly what to do, and they did it. I was afforded a future because of those wonderful people.”

Lisa Sayer, who received specialized treatment for complex abdominal cancer, is forever grateful for the care she received.

Learn more about Lisa's story ⤵️

When Lisa Sayer learned she had appendix cancer that was spreading through her abdomen, she looked to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.

10/10/2025

: Michael Vanderlind, Asst. Professor of Pediatrics and a pediatric neuropsychologist.

What is your favorite part about working in your field?

Many heavy moments are working in childhood cancer, and people ask how I’m able to handle the hard parts of the job. I tell them, while there are losses and grief in this work, there are also many wins. I watch in awe as kids show their resilience time and time again.

What inspired you to become a Neuropsychologist, and how did you get involved with the pediatric oncology survivorship team?

I’ve always felt a drive to care for other people. Along that journey, I discovered the work of clinical psychology and felt humbled that people would trust me to confide some of their most vulnerable experiences.

I love working with families to celebrate every child’s set of strengths and to gain a better understanding of challenge areas, partnering with them to create plans that support children’s ongoing emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Why is Childhood Cancer Awareness important to you?

Our treatments are improving, and yet, we still have loss. Awareness brings opportunity for us to unite and put our heads together to discover new paths forward. Kids are tough, and they will keep fighting, but we need everyone to fight with us.

What was your “dream job” as a kid?

I wanted to be an actor. My mom reminds me of how I would refer to our fireplace as my stage, and I would ride my bicycle around, handing out autographs to anyone who’d take them.

What do you like to do for fun?

I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters - Austen (3) and my twins, June and Marlowe (1.5). My girls are my world. They make me laugh, cry happy tears, and remember the beauty of childhood curiosity.

What is your favorite thing to do in Oregon?

I love getting out to the coast, playing in the sand with the girls, and watching the waves. My husband and I try to get up to the mountain to ski. The food scene in Portland is incredible. Sign me up to try a new taco, Thai, or Ethiopian place!

What is the best emoji to describe you?

🥰 & 😅 capture my feelings towards parenthood and life.

10/09/2025

Join us this fall to raise awareness for breast cancer and lung cancer.

Early detection is crucial in the fight against cancer. Regular screenings can catch cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable.

OHSU is offering breast and lung cancer screenings as part of the Pink and Pearl Campaign on October 17 and November 7.

Pre-registration required: https://bit.ly/4edIthO

10/09/2025

Last week, Nike celebrated the Portland Marathon and our local community with one of their signature employee events – Thirst Thursday.

They welcomed the OHSU Foundation, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital's Freestyle, and other nonprofit partners to help kick off marathon weekend and showcase how employees can volunteer and give.

The afternoon included a 5K run, walk, and roll, and brought together Nike employees, OHSU Foundation colleagues, and Dr. Brian Druker.

10/06/2025

For the third consecutive year, a new record has been set! 💫

Congratulations to our medical team on 14K for registering 366 potential new donors during the bone marrow registry drive!

"Our 12th annual donor drive is officially in the books, and what a ride it was," says Kathie Phan, oncology nurse and team lead for the bone marrow drive.

"Each year, we're reminded why we do this work. We meet incredible people and hear inspiring stories of strength, courage, and hope. These stories resonate deeply and motivate us to keep going."

The team held five in-person swabbing events, visited classrooms, and distributed their kits throughout town.

Thank you to Kathie and everyone on 14K who volunteered their time to make such a wonderful impact. ❤️

10/04/2025

“Exercise can still be safe, but it might require more precautions and supervision.”

- Dr. Kerri Winters-Stone on whether or not it is safe for men with prostate cancer to exercise (via Everyday Health):

Men with prostate cancer can safely exercise, benefiting from reduced treatment side effects, improved mental health, and increased survival. Consult your doctor before starting.

10/02/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🩷

Here are 5️⃣ facts to know about breast cancer.

Share these with a friend, a family member, or a loved one.

For more information surrounding breast cancer, including screening, signs and symptoms, who's at risk, survival rates, and clinical trials: https://bit.ly/3KQUobj

09/27/2025

: Laura Dorneman, RN, BSN, CPHON, Doernbecher Survivorship Nurse Coordinator
 
What is your favorite part about working in your field?
 
I enjoy being able to see our patients year after year, to see how they’ve grown, learn what they enjoy, and who they’re becoming. I find the rapid improvements in treatments for childhood cancer fascinating. Patients are being treated with medications now that were not in use when I started my career more than 20 years ago, allowing more kids diagnosed with cancer to live full, long lives.
 
What led you to the OHSU?
 
When my family and I relocated to Portland more than 10 years ago, I sought out a position at OHSU, as it was important to me to work in an academic and research hospital.

What inspired you to become an RN, specializing in pediatric oncology?
 
My first job after graduating from college was on an inpatient pediatric unit that had a mix of diagnoses. I found myself asking for my assignments to include the oncology patients. I enjoyed getting to know them over multiple hospital stays and was interested in the ways that research was involved in up-front treatment.
 
Why is Childhood Cancer Awareness important to you?
 
Childhood cancer research gets a very small percentage of all funding earmarked for cancer research. It’s important to me that the public is aware of this, so that more advocacy can be done to increase funding for childhood cancer research. It important to raise awareness of the number of childhood cancer survivors. In the US alone, there are about 500,000 childhood cancer survivors, and that number continues to grow.
 
What was your “dream job” as a kid?
 
There was a period of time when I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder when I grew up.
 
What do you like to do for fun?
 
I enjoy spending time outdoors, including gardening, hiking, camping, and snowboarding. I also enjoy traveling with my family.
 
What is your favorite thing to do in Oregon?
 
I love how close we are to both mountains and ocean. The food here can’t be beat … fresh seafood, so many locally grown fruits and vegetables.
 
What is the best emoji to describe you?
 
🥰😍

09/26/2025

mobile wallpapers now available 📲

09/25/2025

HPV vaccination is safe and protects against six types of cancer – including cervical, oropharyngeal, and a**l cancers.

Recent data show no gains in HPV vaccination coverage, falling short of national goals.

We must act now to protect today’s children from future HPV-related cancers.

What you can do:
✅ Parents – ask your child’s doctor about HPV vaccination starting at age 9.
✅ Providers – recommend HPV vaccination at every visit.
✅ Communities – spread the word: HPV vaccination is cancer prevention.

Join us in sharing the facts about HPV vaccination and increasing the number of children protected today against HPV cancers tomorrow.