LLS Man Of The Year

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I had a note from Dr. Mauro (one of my previous docs during my STI571

clinical trial days) and he also included the announcement below about

his campaign for the LLS's Man of the Year. I think that any of you who

know Dr. Mauro or any of the team at OHSU can appreciate the

tremendously valuable contributions they have all made to advancing CML

treatment, not to mention their compassion and support for patients.

Please take a few moments to read his note -- and then put your vote

where your wallet is and make a donation to Dr. Mauro's campaign. The

money doesn't go to him -- it goes to the LLS, which turns around and

funnels that money into patient services and research. I don't think

there's anyone among us who has not benefitted from this work.

Also, please forward this to your family and friends so that they can

also help make a difference! These good folks give and give and give to

us -- now let's give back!

(I'm doing my part -- I've raised over $6,000 so far for the LLS this

year and will participate in the Anchorage half-marathon, health

willing, on June 17.)

G.

www.cmlsupport.com

==============================================

Note from Dr. Mauro:

First of all, thank you for your willingness to put up with me by

reading this fundraising appeal (not to mention your willingness to

withstand bone marrow studies, blood draws, my occasional (? frequent)

tardiness in the clinic, and your bravery and courage in fighting CML or

any other blood cancer). You know me as Mauro, your leukemia

physician at Oregon Health & Science University. You likely know I came

to Oregon 6 years ago to work on a special project at OHSU to develop a

drug then called STI571, now Gleevec. Having just celebrated 5 years of

FDA approval, Gleevec has changed the face of cancer therapy,

revolutionizing the treatment of CML by offering an alternative to bone

marrow transplant and remarkable remissions to most patients. As well,

the example of Gleevec has energized the search for similar " targeted "

therapies for all cancers and hopefully is just the start of things to

come in CML and other conditions.

You may not know that I am also Vice President on the board of the

Portland chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), one of the

biggest charitable organizations supporting research, education, and

patient services for blood-related cancers. The original research and

patient trials testing Gleevec were supported and made possible by grant

support from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I serve on the board of

the LLS as I see no better way to give back to the organization that

believed in our work and the vision of my mentor, Druker, and my

efforts now help raise funds for further research, patient education and

family services for all those battling blood related cancers.

Each year, the LLS holds a fundraising event called " Man and Woman of

the Year " ; this year I was nominated to be one of the candidates.

Despite its name, it is fortunately not self-promotion but rather about

fundraising for the cause and honoring a local boy and girl of the year

battling blood-related cancer. When asked to run, I could not say no

given how strongly I feel about the importance of the work we do. My

goal is to make true the words uttered by , a 10 year old girl with

CML whom I know well, when she heard about my campaign: " Dr. Mauro isn't

running for Man of the Year; He is going to WIN Man of the Year! "

There are a few different ways to help:

1/ If you are in the Portland area on June 5th, I am hosting a

fundraising dinner at Hurley's Restaurant (1987 NW Kearney). The theme

of the evening will be " Three Generations of Success " with special

guests who will share their CML stories, and other surprises in the

works; a wonderful evening is guaranteed. This is my favorite restaurant

in Portland; the chef is a retired NYC fireman who creates the most

wonderful French dishes. Wine will be provided by Owen Roe Wines.

Tickets will be $150 per person. Please let me know directly if you are

interested in attending so I may hold tickets for you (email me at

maurom@... or phone me at 503-494-0376).

2/ If you are in the Portland area on June 14th, the grand finale event

for the Portland Man and Woman of the Year will be held at the

headquarters of Wieden+Kennedy (224 NW 13th Avenue); a reception with

food and wine, silent and live auctions, and announcement of the winners

will take place that night. Tickets are $25, and hopefully if you come

my auction items might beckon you to bid*.Let me know as well if you are

interested in this as I will hold tickets (email me at maurom@...

or phone me at 503-494-0376).

3/ The society has provided me with a webpage for direct donations to my

campaign. Dollars equal votes in this campaign, so every bit counts. The

weblink is:

<http://www.active.com/donate/ormwoy/orMMauro>

http://www.active.com/donate/ormwoy/orMMauro

As well, donation (a check can be made out to the Leukemia & Lymphoma

Society) along with the enclosed donor form can be sent to my office at

OHSU to the following address:

J. Mauro MD

Center for Hematologic Malignancies

Oregon Health & Science University

3181 SW Sam Park Road

Mailcode UHN-73C

Portland OR 97239

It is not like me to ask of others, especially those who have a lot on

their shoulders already. I ask without obligation of you, in part

because I know if I didn't let you know about this, many would be mad

for me not telling; I also ask because I know you feel as strongly as I

do about how important our work, your battle, and our future success is

and that it depends on sustained research like the initial and ongoing

research in CML surrounding Gleevec that would not be possible without

help from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please feel free to spread

the word to others battling CML, to friends, family, to anyone

interested in the cause.

Again Thank You, and Be Well Always,

J. Mauro, MD

Assistant Professor, Center for Hematologic Malignancies Oregon Cancer

Institute Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR 97239