The 19th annual San Antonio Express-News Book & Author Luncheon held Oct. 18 in San Antonio raised more than $160,000 in net proceeds. Funds support the Phase I Clinical Research Program of the UT Health Science Center’s Cancer Therapy & Research Center. Over its history, since 1991, the event has contributed more than $2.2 million for this important leading-edge research. More than 350 patients a year participate in Phase I clinical studies at the CTRC’s Institute for Drug Development (IDD), which conducts one of the largest oncology Phase I clinical drug programs in the world, and participates in the development of cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

A gift of $50,000 from Phyllis and Jamie Browning established the Ronald P. Williams, M.D., Orthopedic Oncology Developmental Research Award to support outstanding research in bone cancer. Nandini Ghosh-Choudhury, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology at the UT Health Science Center, is the recipient of the award. The funds will support Dr. Ghosh-Choudhury’s studies of the efficacy of a fish oil diet in the prevention of the spread of bone cancer. The Brownings are steadfast supporters of the UT Health Science Center and the Cancer Therapy & Research Center. They also provide leadership and financial support to the university as members of the President’s Council.

Ian M. Thompson Jr., M.D., executive director of the CTRC (far right), congratulates (L-R) Bobby Dees, Saks Fifth Avenue general manager; Barbara Foster, Saks assistant general manager of merchandising; Kathryn Eggerss, CTRC nurse manager; Peter Ravdin, M.D., Ph.D., director of the CTRC’s Comprehensive Breast Health Clinic; and Laurie Kaplan, Cancer Center Council president. The Saks Fifth Avenue executives recognized Eggerss, Kaplan and Dr. Ravdin with awards for their dedicated leadership in the fight against cancer.

The Saks Fifth Avenue Key to the Cure charity shopping weekend held Oct. 21 – 24 raised funds for the CTRC during the four-day shopping period and from the sales of the Key to the Cure T-shirts. Proceeds benefit the Comprehensive Breast Health Clinic at the UT Health Science Center’s Cancer Therapy & Research Center, dedicated to advancing the fight against breast disease and breast cancer. This is the second year in a row Saks Fifth Avenue selected the CTRC as the beneficiary of this fundraiser.