There are so few individuals who are willing to challenge authority in the world of cancer advocacy. Marlene McCarthy was one of the best at that. Marlene died on July 17; she was 74.
Alan Rabson, one of the premier cancer pathologists of his generation whose most recent title at NCI was scientist emeritus, died on July 4. He was 92.
Jane Reese-Coulbourne, 63, a cancer patient advocate who moved into industry and science policy roles died of cancer on April 23.
This article is adapted from “Cancer Crossings: A Brother, His Doctors and the Quest to Cure Childhood Leukemia,” Wendel's forthcoming book. The book is available for pre-order here.
Jon M. Huntsman Sr. dared to eradicate cancer from the face of the earth. People thought he was crazy, but for someone who started out delivering fresh eggs as a boy to support his family, went on to invent and then manufacture the polystyrene egg carton, and built from scratch a $12 billion global chemical company with more than 12,000 employees, there was no holding him back. Jon was a dreamer, a risk-taker, a true visionary, and a man whose compassion for others knew no limits. He didn’t sleep. His life was dedicated to making the world a better place: a world without homelessness, a world without hunger, a world without cancer.
Marsha Fountain, retired president of The Oncology Group, died Jan. 7 after a long struggle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 65.
Robert W. Day, former president and director of Fred Hutch.Photo courtesy of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterRobert W. Day, the longestserving president and director of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, died at his home Jan. 6 of non-small cell squamous carcinoma. He was 87.
Gerald E. Hanks was a giant in the world of radiation oncology and oncology in general. It isn't often that we can say this and probably understate a person's significance and influence, but Jerry was one of those people. He died on Dec. 20, 2017, at the age of 83.
Jimmie C. Holland, internationally recognized as the founder of the field of psycho-oncology, died suddenly on Dec. 24, 2017, at the age of 89.
Donald S. Coffey, Ph.D., cancer warrior, humanist, mentor to hundreds of researchers and physicians, friend to countless people, was filled with a burning curiosity to understand the world and to know personally everyone he came in contact with.
