Wilmot Cancer Institute

06/15/2024

Tacos, anyone? 🌮

Our Wilmot Nurse Navigators team recently volunteered to serve dinner to patients and family members staying at Hope Lodge Rochester. They served up a delicious taco bar, plus plenty of smiles. Way to go, team! 👏👏

06/14/2024

Did you know Wilmot Cancer Institute was originally called the University of Rochester Cancer Center (URCC for short)? The year 2024 marks 50 years since the University of Rochester established URCC.

In the year 2000, it was renamed the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, in honor of the man who had generously endowed a cancer research fellowship and whose family funded many other efforts.

Here's what the front of the building - formerly located where Flaum Eye Institute is now - looked like back around that time.

Who remembers when the cancer center looked like this? 🙋‍♀️

06/13/2024

Thank you to Garber Subaru Rochester and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society!

They recently donated 80 blankets and patient care kits to distribute to our patients who are undergoing cancer treatment. This support will surely give them comfort during a difficult time. We are so grateful!

06/12/2024

New research shows that when it comes to cancer risk reduction, the HPV vaccine benefits everyone, not just women. Yet only about 70% of teens in New York state and about 63% of teens nationwide have gotten vaccinated.

Why?

Dr. Cynthia Rand is part of a team at Golisano Children's Hospital and Wilmot working to try to improve vaccination rates to prevent some cancers in the future.

One of the big headlines from a major scientific meeting recently: The HPV vaccine not only prevents cervical cancer but reduces the risk of multiple other cancers and even pre-malignant lesions.

06/10/2024

All Wilmot nurses are special, but each year, the WCI Nursing team recognizes a few nursing team members who have gone above and beyond in their work.

Please join us in congratulating the following team members who were recently recognized.

Carolyn Jane Walsh, BSN, RN, who won the WCI Nursing Quality of Life Award (Individual), for her dedication and compassionate spirit as a Radiation Oncology nurse

The WCC7 APP team, who won the WCI Nursing Quality of Life Award (Team), for its particularly holistic approach to caring for a patient who was on the Wilmot Cancer Center Seventh Floor (WCC7) unit for nearly 200 days

Clare Somers, MSN, RN, OCN, who won the WCI Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award, for her work leading the WCC Infusion team for the last seven years

Vernetta Fountain, lead ambulatory technician, who won the WCI Excellence in Care Award, for her proficiency and compassionate care for patients in Suite G

06/07/2024

Cancer research has come a long way in the 50 years since the University of Rochester established its cancer center, today known as Wilmot Cancer Institute.

“The types of research happening now were impossible to imagine 40 to 50 years ago, when we didn’t even have computers in the lab. I’ve been very privileged to witness — and luckily, I’ve been a little bit of a contributor — to many advances in cancer research.” shared Hartmut “Hucky” Land, PhD, Wilmot deputy director and a cancer scientist who started in the field as an ambitious 25-year-old.

Read about the many milestones that have occurred: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/publications/dialogue/spotlight-on-wilmot-cancer-institute-s-50th-anniversary

06/06/2024

Thank you to the family of Dan Merritt! They recently hosted the Third Annual Big Dan Memorial Co****le Charity Tournament in Scottsville and raised $5,000. They donated the funds to Wilmot to support cancer research.

We are grateful for their support through this fun community event!

06/05/2024

Wilmot Warriors, it's time to commit! 🤝

The first 200 who sign up to ride, run, or walk during Wilmot Warrior Weekend on Sept. 22 AND raise $50 will receive a $50 match toward their fundraising total.

That means your fundraising efforts go further and you increase your chance of meeting the $250 threshold for an ALL ACCESS event pass, which includes a ticket to our Saturday night Wilmot Warrior Weekend Kick-Off party.

Remember: money raised for this event benefits cancer survivorship programming and cancer research happening right here in the Rochester region.

Learn more at WarriorWeekend.URMC.edu.

06/05/2024

What's the most adorable vegetable?
A 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦-cumber! 🥒

And in this tasty salad - the cucumbers really are a big "dill." Made with cucumber noodles, watermelon, and feta cheese, this recipe is great to bring to a cookout or have as a healthy side on a hot summer day! ☀️

Wilmot Registered Dietitian Sue Czap demonstrated how to make it in a Cooking for Wellness class with the Pluta Integrative Oncology & Wellness Center. These classes are offered monthly and are free to patients and survivors seen at any Wilmot location. Interested in learning more? Call (585) 486-0630.

Or view a recording of the demo of this salad: https://vimeo.com/899265387/b7c63fbe3d?share=copy

Recipe by Two Peas and Their Pod

06/04/2024

Congrats! 🙌 We are proud to have Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC, on the Wilmot team.

Assistant Professor Lauren Ghazal was named Healio and Oncology Nursing Society's Advanced Practice Trailblazer of 2024, in honor of her excellent work as a researcher and advocate for adolescent & young adult cancer survivors. Congratulations! 👏

06/03/2024

Chronic graft-vs-host disease impacts about half of cancer patients who receive a stem cell transplant from a donor. A team of nurse-researchers at Wilmot is working to develop an app to identify potential symptoms earlier, between follow-up appointments so they can be addressed promptly.

Stem cell transplants can help ensure remission for some cancer patients, but many of these patients experience a side effect known as chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Nurse-researchers at Wilmot Cancer Institute came together with Wave Health to develop an app specifically for monitoring....

06/03/2024

This is great news! So happy for you, Nana. ❤️❤️

06/02/2024

Our patients and their families inspire and motivate us in our mission to conquer all cancers!

The National Cancer Institute defines a cancer survivor as anyone living with a history of cancer, but this day is for everyone impacted by cancer. We honor all cancer survivors and the families and friends who support them, from diagnosis through all phases of treatment, and beyond.

How do you define being a cancer survivor or what message would you wish to share with cancer survivors?

06/01/2024

“𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭."

In 1976, as an 18-year-old undergrad at the University of Rochester, John Saunders found out he had Hodgkin lymphoma.

From treatment through nearly 50 years of cancer survivorship, he faced many challenges. His story demonstrates how much has changed in cancer care in the last five decades.

Kick-off Cancer Survivors Month by reading: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/publications/dialogue/make-life-count-one-longtime-cancer-survivor-s-story

05/31/2024

Taylor Swift, a cute pug named Celsius, community outreach, to***co research. What do these topics have in common?

They're all a few of Francisco "Paco" Cartujano's favorite things!

While in medical school, Paco participated in a fellowship that introduced him to the concept of a community-academic partnership to address to***co-related health disparities. He loved it and it became his path.

Today, he serves as assistant director for Community Outreach and Engagement at Wilmot Cancer Institute, helping bring important resources to community members who want to quit smoking.

On , get to know Paco: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/francisco-paco-cartujano-helping-latino-and-lgtbq+-communities-quit-to***co

05/28/2024

After Tim McDonald found out he had stage 4 colorectal cancer that had metastasized to his liver, he became a fierce advocate for himself.

That advocacy led him from his home in Florida, 1200+ miles away to UR Medicine, where he received a liver transplant from a living donor-turned-friend, Beth Lipari.

Last week, Tim celebrated being one year with no evidence of disease.

His story is inspiring: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/living-donors-generosity-offers-second-chance-to-florida-man-with-metastatic-colorectal-cancer

05/27/2024

A cancer diagnosis often rattles us not only physically, but mentally.

Dr. Daniel McFarland shares what patients and families should know when it comes to mental health and cancer.

What should cancer patients know when it comes to mental health? Dr. Daniel McFarland shares his answers to a few questions on the topic.

05/25/2024

Thank you to American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) for highlighting our own Dr. Francisco Cartujano during National Cancer Research Month - and bravo to all Wilmot Cancer Institute scientists who are 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚!

05/24/2024

Cancer research has thrived since the University of Rochester established its cancer center in 1974, but many advances that have happened wouldn't be possible without support from community groups like the Edelman-Gardner Cancer Research Foundation.

After losing a friend, Harry Gardner, and his wife, Sally Edelman, to cancer in the late 70s and early 80s, George Edelman started a fundraising campaign to directly support cancer research.

The Hilton-based group held can drives, change collections, golf tournaments, balloon launches, and more, raising $1.4 million for Wilmot since 1984. The funds directly support basic science projects, allowing researchers to better understand the mechanisms of cancer.

In 2019, the foundation was recognized for its contributions with the Inspiration Award at the Discovery Ball gala. We are grateful to the foundation for decades of work supporting cancer research at Wilmot Cancer Institute!

05/23/2024

Banana flax muffins. Creamy lemon orzo. Sweet potato enchiladas. Are you hungry yet?

A whole-foods plant-based diet can be delicious and also incredibly healthy. A recent study showed that women with advanced breast cancer who ate this type of diet received many health benefits: They lost weight, their hormone and insulin levels were lower, they felt sharper, and had less fatigue, for example.

Led by Thomas M. Campbell, MD, assistant professor of Family Medicine UR Medicine/Highland Hospital, the study is continuing. Wilmot investigators Isaac Harris, PhD, and Luke Peppone, PhD, are working to understand whether a plant-based diet can impact cancer growth, and are seeking funding for a larger, national clinical trial.

Scientists showed important changes in blood work, and are doing further studies to discover if a plant-based diet can slow cancer growth.

05/17/2024

The Department of Radiation Oncology has been part of Wilmot Cancer Institute since it was founded as the University of Rochester Cancer Center (URCC) in 1974.

When Tracey Jones, LRTT, LMSW, started in the department as a radiation therapist in 1987, she was one of four or five radiation therapists. The team now has around 22 radiation therapists - and more than double the machines available to treat patients.

In the last 50 years since the URCC was founded, a lot has changed in the Radiation Oncology field, both in technology and approach. Tracey recalls having to lift heavy blocks to give treatment, but now the machine does that. Some patients who may have gotten 30 or 40 treatment doses decades ago may now need fewer to treat their cancer, as research studies have shown they can get just as much benefit from fewer doses or even more precise types of radiation treatments, like stereotactic body radiation therapy.

"A lot of new techniques we do now can really benefit the patient," she says.

05/16/2024

We are giving a shout-out to everyone involved with the 25th Anniversary Discovery Ball hosted earlier this month. This year's event raised over $1 million in gross revenue. An amazing new record!

The first Discovery Ball gala took place in 1999 and since then, has raised more than $10 million in total. The funds have supported many cancer research projects and care initiatives helping patients and advancing science right here in the Rochester region.

Thank you to everyone who showed your support!

05/14/2024

Get out there and ride your bike! 🚴

This week marks Rochester Bike Week and Friday, May 17, is so we wanted to share a message from Brandon and Rob, co-owners of Towpath Bike, the official Bike Shop of the Wilmot Warrior Weekend.

If you want to join us for the Wilmot Breakaway Ride taking place September 22, 2024, in Webster, it’s time to start training! This year, we have four route options, including a new family-friendly 12.5-mile route.

The best part? All proceeds from the weekend benefit cancer research and survivorship care happening here at Wilmot Cancer Institute. 🙏

To learn more, visit www.warriorweekend.URMC.edu

05/13/2024

We were proud to be part of Ibero-American Action League, Inc.'s Latina Health Day!

Various members of the Wilmot team attended to talk with community members about their health, cancer prevention, and upcoming Wilmot community events like the Wilmot Warrior Weekend.

The All of Us Research Program also attended with its mobile exhibit! Their goal is to enroll 1 million individuals to gather enough data that will help accelerate medical research initiatives and treatments, including cancer and cancer prevention efforts.

05/12/2024

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers but a special shout-out to Debbie Nicoletta, who not only takes care of her own daughter - nurse manager on Wilmot Cancer Center's Seventh Floor (WCC7) - but also the whole Nursing team on the unit!

For Nurses Week each year, Debbie brings in a treats spread, a sweet gesture that's worth a special Mother's Day thank you!

05/12/2024

Mother's Day is meant to be joyous, but it can also bring heartache for a variety of reasons.

If you're struggling with the day, here are some tips that could help you cope. ❤️❤️

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are meant to be joyous occasions. But for some people, these holidays can bring heartache, grief, and other negative feelings. Whether you’re dealing with the loss of a parent or child,...

05/10/2024

Wilmot Cancer Center's Wellness Infusion Committee wanted to do something to support the wellness of their fellow nurses during Nurses Week - so they organized and hosted a wellness fair!

Wellness professionals from various areas set up in the conference room to help nurses stretch and massage sore muscles, listen to soothing music, try aromatherapy through essential oils, learn about nutrition services in the area, and more.

Thank you to the team who put this on to celebrate our nurses and the work they do every day!

05/09/2024

Congrats to the Wilmot Cancer Institute nurses who presented at the First Annual Nursing Practice Scholarship Day! Hosted by ’s Research and Evidence-based Practice Council (REBPC) of the Professional Nursing Council, the event showcased work by nurses from across the medical center.

We are proud of our oncology nurses who are not only compassionate but are working each day to improve care better for cancer patients!

05/09/2024

Congrats to the Wilmot Cancer Institute nurses who presented at the First Annual Nursing Practice Scholarship Day! Hosted at UR Medicine by Research and Evidence-based Practice Council (REBPC) of the Professional Nursing Council, the event showcased work by nurses from across the medical center.

We are proud of our oncology nurses who are not only compassionate but are working each day to improve care better for cancer patients!

05/08/2024

Oncology massage therapy is different from what the average person might get at a spa.

Specially trained oncology massage therapists can make adjustments to areas such as positioning, pressure, or length of session that can help support a person with cancer. Oncology massage can help some patients alleviate pain and reduce stress, among other benefits.

Wilmot patients who are interested in learning whether massage may help them manage side effects such as pain should talk to their oncology team. If appropriate based on your situation, your oncologist may refer you to the Pluta Integrative Oncology & Wellness Center, where eligible cancer patients can receive massages at no charge, thanks to support from the Pluta Cancer Center Foundation.