Shown at the check presentation are Philip Canalichio, Aflac regional sales coordinator; Thomas C. Mayes, M.D., M.B.A.; professor and chair of pediatrics; Gail Tomlinson, professor of pediatrics and GCCRI interim director; Greg Aune, M.D., Ph.D., Greehey fellow in pediatric hematology/oncology; and Rick Sandoval, vice president and manager of the Macy’s store at Ingram Park Mall.
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When Greg Aune was 16 years old, his world was turned upside down by the diagnosis of cancer. Aune said he lost 80 pounds and all of his hair while battling Hodgkin’s disease, a type of lymphoma. “I remember seeing other children around me with bald heads and then noticing later on that some of them weren’t there anymore. They had passed away,” he said.

Now he is a second-year pediatric hematology/oncology fellow at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio’s Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI). Dr. Aune plans to join the faculty this fall as a pediatric cancer researcher.

“My cancer was a terrible thing, but it also was a blessing,” Dr. Aune said. “There isn’t a day that I don’t think about being a survivor. It makes you want to live each day as though it might be your last. I want to do something worthwhile with my life.”

Fortunately, overall survival rates for childhood cancer in the U.S. have improved from 59 percent in the mid-1970s to 80 percent today. However, more than 10,400 children age 15 and younger still have life-threatening struggles with various types of cancer.

Aflac and Macy’s gift supports cancer research
That is why on July 14, Aflac and Macy’s Department Stores presented a check to the GCCRI, which uses the funds for a summer program for graduate and undergraduate students interested in pediatric cancer research.

“Aflac is honored to join Macy’s in presenting this gift from the local sales of the 2009 Aflac Holiday Ducks,” said Philip Canalichio, regional sales coordinator at Aflac, who was joined in the presentation by Rick Sandoval, vice president and manager of the Macy’s store at Ingram Park Mall. The 6-inch and 12-inch plush ducks provide a way for customers to support a worthy cause while purchasing a reasonably priced holiday gift.

Greg Aune, M.D., Ph.D., Greehey fellow in pediatric hematology/oncology, knows firsthand the challenges of childhood cancer. The Hodgkin’s disease survivor will join the faculty this fall as a pediatric cancer researcher.

Summer student research program
This summer, 15 undergraduate students and one high school student are participating in the summer research program. “The research we conduct spans a broad range of ways to approach childhood cancer, starting with a very basic understanding of molecular pathways to decipher exactly what goes wrong at the molecular level that causes a cell to become a cancer,” explained Gail Tomlinson, professor of pediatrics and interim director of the GCCRI.

“We also test potential new chemotherapy agents in cell lines and other model systems which are necessary before proposing and conducting clinical trials. We are also working in translational research using blood and tissue samples from child cancer patients,” Dr. Tomlinson said.

Becerra studying myelodysplastic syndrome
Mariana Becerra, a Trinity University junior, is studying myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with Vivienne Rebel, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Cellular and Structural Biology. MDS is a disease of the blood and bone marrow in which immature blood cells show deficiencies in the maturation process towards becoming fully functional, specialized blood cells. A high proportion of MDS patients eventually develop leukemia. This devastating disease develops in a small but significant number of children after being successfully treated for other cancers.

Becerra said she became interested in cancer research as a freshman at Alamo Heights High School when her Spanish teacher’s daughter died from cancer.

Hill researching Polycomb-group proteins’ role in cancer
Hayden Hill, a junior at Vanderbilt University, is working with Don McEwen, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry, to begin understanding how Polycomb-group proteins, like polyhomeotic, regulate chromatin structure. These proteins are conserved between fruit flies and humans, thus allowing the use of a genetic model system to begin unraveling their mechanistic roles in promoting various cancers.

“It’s been a great experience,” said Hill, a Churchill High School graduate. “I’ve learned more than I ever thought that I could possibly comprehend.” His interest was spurred by several family members’ battles with cancer.

Gifts provide support in finding cures
Thomas C. Mayes, M.D., M.B.A., professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics, thanked Aflac and Macy’s for their contribution, noting that while there have been great strides in understanding and treating cancer, there is still a lot to be done.

“Successful research and treatment of pediatric cancer is not possible without the support of our community partners, including those who have their insurance with Aflac and those who shop at Macy’s. On behalf of the Department of Pediatrics, I want to thank you for your role in supporting the important research conducted at the GCCRI,” said Dr. Mayes, who also serves as executive director of UT Medicine San Antonio, the clinical practice of School of Medicine faculty; and physician-in-chief at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, the Health Science Center’s primary teaching hospital for children’s care.