Guest Post- Amanda's Story and Weinstock Labs

In my first guest post you heard from Heather as she discussed her daughter Paige's battle with Neuroblastoma, as well as the life saving treatment she received at Dana-Farber (and if you missed it, it's definitely worth the read). In today's guest post, I am taking you directly into the research labs at Dana-Farber so you can learn about the vital research that leads to these cutting edge treatments. Research being funded by your generous gifts to DFMC which support the Barr Program research projects at Dana-Farber.

As such, meet Amanda Christie. My husband Dave met Amanda while they both studied at Roger Williams University. While Dave and most of his RWU friends spent their hours in the theatre, Amanda spent most of hers in the science labs (with a little bit of time in the theatre for good measure). Flash forward several years later, and I now count Amanda among my good friends as well. I knew Amanda was wicked smaht (that's New England for extremely smart) and worked for Dana-Farber, but it wasn't until I started running for DFMC that I learned more about the Weinstock lab where Amanda works and the incredible work they are doing, some of which has been funded by the Barr Program. You may recognize Dr. Weinstock's name from this week's Monday Motivation post and Dr. Weinstock is also running his third Boston marathon this year as part of the DFMC team! Well of course I knew you needed to hear from Amanda directly, so I asked her to craft a guest post sharing her experiences from working at Dana-Farber, and I was so moved when I read the beautiful post Amanda created for all of you. It really speaks to the heart of not only the tremendous work being done in these labs, but also showcases the truly dedicated and passionate investigators Dana-Farber is lucky to have working tirelessly to get us closer to a cure. Thank you Amanda - not only for your words, but for the wonderful work you do each and every day!

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This post is probably coming to you from a different perspective than you’re used to. My name is Amanda and I work at Dana-Farber in a lab that has received funding from the Barr Program. My lovely friend Erin thought you might like to get an inside peek at what goes on in our research labs at DFCI.

I work in the lab of David Weinstock which is a translational leukemia/lymphoma research lab. Translational research means that we directly focus on researching new drug targets and therapeutics for immediate transition into clinical trials in patients (as opposed to a basic biology lab). In the past year we have published half a dozen papers, including one that made the cover of Cell (one of the most respected scientific journals in the world), and have opened 3 clinical trials based on preliminary results produced in our lab. Our group includes PhDs, MDs, graduate students and technicians who focus on a wide variety of topics. One team is investigating the role of a particular gene mutation in the formation of angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma. Another is attempting to target BCL6 overexpression in peripheral T cell lymphomas. Our leukemia group focuses on the BCR-ABL fusion oncogene in B-cell leukemia and JAK2 signaling in mutant pediatric ALL. A few of us are fervently trying to find new therapies for so-called “double-hit lymphoma”; this is a universally deadly subset of an otherwise fairly curable disease, and new therapeutics are desperately needed. We even have a few people in our lab studying the mechanisms on DNA repair and its role in cancer. This work is difficult, expensive and frustrating, but so rewarding. The dedication I see on a daily basis makes me smile…if you stop by our lab at any minute of the day you will probably see someone hunched over their bench. When my husband and I started dating it was hard to explain why I needed to go into work twice on Christmas (not kidding), on my birthday, and in the middle of the night…now he just accepts this as normal!

I hope the above paragraph didn’t bore you to death. Honestly, I could talk all day and night about my lab because they are an amazingly intelligent, passionate and dedicated group of people. I could go on and on about my love of Dana-Farber, because it truly is an inspiring place to work. And I could definitely have a never-ending conversation about cancer research, because it is a fascinating, exhilarating and devastating world, and one I am so grateful to contribute to. None of these things would be possible without people like Erin. People who give up their leisure time, their comfort and sometimes their sanity (?!) to brave Boston winters training for the marathon, who advocate for this much needed research, and who raise funds that have directly contributed to saving so many lives. The Barr Program is such an important enabler of research here, and our lab feels lucky to be a recipient of these hard-earned funds. Even a dollar can help change the world, and I promise that we are working our hardest to make sure the money raised goes to finding cures.

Also, as a public service announcement, science is really fun. Don’t let your kids tell you “I’m just not good at science” or “I’m not smart enough.” I hear this all the time and it breaks my heart. You are smart enough and science is awesome. If anyone has questions or wants to know more, please don’t hesitate to ask or go to our lab website at http://weinstock.dfci.harvard.edu/.

And most importantly, go Erin! Run run run!

Gifts of $10 or more made in March qualify you for 
March Marathon Madness Opportunity Drawings!!!

 Check out the official DFMC video featuring Dr. Weinstock and yours truly!

Drum Roll Please....

Last evening I had the great honor of attending our DFMC Check Presentation ceremony at Dana-Farber's Yawkey Center for Cancer Care in Boston. As you know, 100% of the funds raised through the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC) goes directly to the Claudia Adams Barr Program in support of their innovative (and life changing, extending, and saving) basic cancer research.

Mingling with teammates - some of whom I had not seen since we crossed the finish line on Boylston Street this past April - we eyed the outline of the giant cardboard check cleverly concealed under a Boston Marathon heatsheet (the seemingly flimsy yet amazingly effective capes we receive after crossing the finish line to protect against the rapid temperature drop) as we eagerly awaited the grand total for the 2015 season. After some opening remarks including a lovely and heartfelt thank you from the B.A.A. for everything our team brings to the marathon experience (thank you B.A.A., the feeling is mutual!), it was time to set the stage for the reveal with a few fun facts.

In 2015 our team had:

• 576 Runners from over 33 states and 5 countries (wow!!!)
• 41,604 donors from dozens of countries and 6 of the 7 continents (Antarctica was the only continent not represented...more on that later!)
• Gifts ranging from $5.00 to $25,000 (because every gift truly adds up!)
• A team goal of raising $5.2 million dollars through the 2015 DFMC Season

This past summer we learned that our team had met our goal of $5.2 million, which is an incredible feat in and of itself. But if you haven't learned by now, our team has a habit of not only setting goals but surpassing them in a big way (it's kinda our thing).  And so, without further ado...

That's right friends, after raising $16,600 dollars for vital cancer research, training through one of the worst winters on record, running countless miles, and capping it all off with a 26.2 mile jaunt through freezing rain - I finally got to hold one of those large cardboard checks. Cross that one off the bucket list! 

Oh and we surpassed our team goal by just a few dollars...$204,653.73 to be exact, for a grand total of $5,404,653.73!!!

Here is what I think you should do. You should print out this picture, cut around the outline of the check and hold it up for yourself (happy little dance optional but encouraged). Because I could not have done this without all of YOU. 

"Thank you" does not come close to expressing the depths of my gratitude to each and every person who has supported this team in our journey. Each generous gift, prayer, note of support, congratulatory comment, and good vibe sent our way were appreciated more than you can ever know. The proof of which was not only in the tremendous grand total announced last evening, but also in the poignant and moving words shared by my intrepid and inspirational teammates who have been personally touched by the research funded through this challenge.

So...who is ready to do it again???  The 2015 experience was so incredibly powerful that I still haven't been able to put it all into perspective or words to share here (I am working on it!), but suffice it to say I have never been more proud of anything than being a part of this team and our mission.  

T-Minus 199 days. Now who knows someone in Antarctica that wants to make a gift of $26.20 to start me off???

 

Monday Motivation: T-Minus 5 Weeks!

Numbers constantly float through a runners head.

Number of miles down, and number left to go. Average pace, training pace, race pace. Months, weeks, days, seconds until your next race. Miles on sneaker pair 1...pair 2...pair 3...

The numbers go on and on.

Some of the numbers that have been constant residents in my mind since September?

26.2 (obviously)

10,000 and 13,100 (my initial and then"secret"/now reality fundraising goals)

9:30-10:30 (my goal pace range)

4/20/15 (the date of the 119th Boston Marathon)

53 (the number of pounds I have lost since January 2014 when I started running again)

16 (the number of pounds I have to reach my "goal" weight)

There is one other important number that is constantly at top of mind for me, but sadly this number keeps changing and ticking upwards. It is the number of people I am running in honor and memory of. And I run so that one day that number will be "0." 

This weekend I added one more person to that list when I learned about my teammate Lisa's four year old patient partner Nolan. A year ago Nolan was on his deathbed battling acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Unlike acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) which my patient partner Darla fought and overcame and which is often classified as "curable," AML is typically found in adults versus children and has a much lower survival rate. Nolan qualified for a clinical trial while being treated at Dana-Farber which was basically deemed his "last chance" at beating his AML in combo with a bone marrow transplant. Nolan responded to the treatment and just celebrated his 4th birthday last week and in 3 days on March 19th will celebrate his first "re-birthday" to mark one year post-bone marrow transplant. 

The kicker? When the clinical trial was offered to Nolan's family they asked how it was being paid for since insurance didn't cover it, etc. The answer? Through the funds raised by the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge and Pan Mass Challenge. 

Oh and I should mention that Lisa shared Nolans' story with me and another runner as we approached the longest, steepest hill near the end of our 14 mile run this past weekend. Needless to say it gave us the extra push we needed to make it to the top!

So yeah, if you ever had any question about the impact your amazingly generous gifts are helping to have, there you go.

Oh and here are a few more numbers.

26013 (my bib number)
1275 (number of dollars until I reach my goal of raising $13,100 to save lives)
5 (number of weeks until the Boston Marathon)
4 (my starting wave)
3 (my corral)
2 (number of weeks left in my Marathon March Madness opportunity drawings)
1 (entry per every $10 donation increment for some great prizes!)

                  

Every $10 donation increment = 1 entry for these great prizes!

(i.e. $20 = 2 entries, $30 = 3 entries, and so forth)

Decorating Darla's poster for Marathon Monday at our DFMC Patient Poster Party after our run this weekend (her picture will go in the blank space)

Click HERE to Donate and Enter to Win Marathon March Madness Prizes

Monday Motivation: T-Minus 6 Weeks!

Yesterday I ran 18 miles. Yes, the last 1.2 miles or so may have more closely resembled hobbling than running, but I did it. And yes it wasn't easy, there may have been some swearing when the crosswalk at the 17.5 mile point took what seemed like hours to change, and I may have collapsed on the floor after I finished - but I did it. 

And you know what the best part of yesterday's run was? My teammates. My truly amazing and inspiring teammates.

Before the run. During the run. After the run. High-fiving along the way, cheering each other on in our longest runs yet, and congratulating each other on meeting mileage or fundraising goals. Welcoming teammates from out of town to their first group run. A quick "Go Dana-Farber" or "Good job you're almost there" as you pass each other in opposite directions on Heartbreak Hill. Turning back and running another half mile on 18 mile legs to make sure your teammate is okay when they are waiting for the longest crosswalk light in history (thanks Shannon and Jon...seriously, that thing felt like it took an hour!). And most importantly, sharing our stories about why and for who we run. I am so incredibly blessed and honored to be a part of this team and everything it represents, and my teammates inspire me each and every day. 

Given I spent yesterday's run with a teammate whose Mother is currently battling pancreatic cancer at Dana-Farber, today's impact statement is in honor of her and demonstrates the importance of the Barr program research this challenge is funding. 

Barr Program investigator Alec Kimmelman, MD, PHD discovered that hydroxychloroquine, currently used for treating malaria, is effective in shrinking or slowing the growth of pancreatic cancers. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug that inhibits “autophagy,” a process that enables cells to break down and eliminate structures such as damaged cell membranes. Cancer cells use autophagy to outwit chemotherapy treatment: by activating this process they survive the stress of therapy. Dr. Kimmelman discovered that autophagy is turned on all at all times in pancreatic cancer cells suggesting that pancreas tumors are highly dependent on autophagy and therefore good candidates for autophagy-inhibiting treatments. These treatments were found to be very effective in mouse model trials and are now being tested in human clinical trials. 

Thank you to those of you who have already donated and helped me towards my goal of raising $13,100 for this life saving and changing research. I am only $1325 away from that goal and I know we will reach or surpass that before I take my first step in Hopkinton in just six short weeks! Make sure to check out and spread the word about my "Marathon March Madness" opportunity drawings giving you the chance to win a Coach handbag, Red Sox tickets, and more throughout March!

T-Minus 42 days!

Some motivation posted by one of my amazing teammates 

We received our DFMC Team singlets this week - it's starting to feel real! 

Monday Motivation: Blizzard Edition

Happy Monday ya'll! Posting this a bit later than usual since today was a bit chaotic as we began bracing for what has the potential to be a historic blizzard here in New England. Should make for EXCELLENT running conditions tomorrow (please note my sarcasm). This after a weekend storm caused our Saturday group run and another DFMC event to be cancelled, necessitating a solo 14 miler yesterday.

Oh hey winter, thanks for joining us in our marathon training. Thought you had decided to skip this year but looks like you are quickly making up for lost time. Fantastic.

I will be honest, there were many times during yesterday's slushy snowy 14 miles that I wanted to turn around and go home. The Yaktrax I had strapped on my shoes to help with the ice and snow coating my local neighborhood streets proved unnecessary once I got onto the better conditions of the main roadways, and instead the extra tread caused slightly uneven footing which really jolted my ankle and knee joints. Constantly dodging puddles, cars, and snowbanks added an unexpectedly energy depleting obstacle course element to an already draining run. And tackling my longest run yet without the support and company of my amazing teammates was just as mentally challenging as it was physical, if not more so.

Each time my sneaker sank deep into a hidden puddle and that voice in my head urged me to call my husband to pick me up, I dug deeper and found a way to keep pushing forward. The motivation varied throughout the run - from my patient partner who has been so brave in the face of the unthinkable, to the many people I am running in honor and memory of, to my truly amazing donors and supporters. But the biggest motivation was recalling the words of Dr. Glenn Dranoff who is a recipient of Barr Program funding and spoke to us at our second DFMC team meeting last week (full recap coming soon). Getting to hear an investigator speak to us about his research, which would not be possible without the funds we are raising, was beyond motivating and inspiring.

Dr. Dranoff is examining new ways to activate the immune system which will enable the development of new vaccines and other approaches that enhance the immune system's response to cancers. An important area of cancer research asks why humans don't reject tumors in their own bodies. Funded by the Barr Program, Glenn Dranoff, MD, discovered complex regulatory pathways in the human immune system that cancers exploit in order to escape destruction. Reversal of these effects can lead to the development of vaccines against cancer. This Barr research has also enabled the development of immune activators for melanoma and other cancers. Dr. Dranoff stressed how these advancements could not have happened without the funding from the Barr program, as "curiosity based" research such as this seldom receives ever shrinking federal funding and yet is often the research that opens the door to major breakthroughs and advancements for both cancer and other diseases.

Dr.Glenn Dranoff, MD discussing his immune system research funded by the Barr Program

Remember that 100% of the funds raised by the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge benefits the Barr Program and funds research like this, so you can literally see where you generous gifts are going and the tremendous impact they have for cancer research and care.  

And so this is what keeps me going. Even through 14 slushy solo miles. And even when I know that there may be 3+ feet of snow outside tomorrow. Because giving up just isn't an option.

Oh and in case I needed any additional motivation (especially in the coming days after we come out of "snow-pocalypse"), look what arrived on my doorstep today...

My official Boston Marathon training shirt and jacket! Tradition and superstition holds that runners should not wear their jackets until after the race, but I think it will make the perfect backdrop for my medal on April 20th!

To my friends, family, teammates, and fellow runners in the path of this blizzard- stay safe! Especially my teammate Mike Skiotis who asked when he would get a shout out in my blog. Stay warm Mike and thanks for sharing your incredible fundraising insight with our team last week!

Click HERE to make a gift in support of Erin's Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge

Click HERE to Sponsor-a-Mile with a gift of $126.20 or more

Motivation Monday

T-Minus 17 Weeks until the DFMC team runs the 119th Boston Marathon!  We start our second week of training today and keep an eye on the blog for recaps on our first team meetings, first week training, and our first group run which was this past Saturday.

One of the most motivating things for me so far has been speaking with returning/veteran DFMC teammates who, much like myself, went through their first season wondering how in the heck they would actually conquer these crazy goals we have set for ourselves - both on and off the race course. Raising tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research while training to run one of the toughest marathon courses out there is definitely a daunting task. These are goals not quickly met or achieved overnight. These goals demand time, dedication, strategy, and most importantly the help and support of others. There will be times in this journey where we will leap ahead, times where things will stand still, and there may even be some setbacks.  But we will power on and reach our goals.

This is much like the cutting edge Barr Program research projects which receive 100% of the funds raised by this challenge. Some of these projects can take years from development to approval, execution, and clinical trials, etc. And just like with our journey, there are times these projects leap ahead, there are times they stand still, and yes there may also be setbacks. But each project unlocks new discoveries and gets us one step closer to the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.  And much like in running and training, often you cannot see the growth and full scope from looking at one run or race, but you need to look at these things over time. Which is why we often share the impact of projects from previous years that are now complete and serving as the foundation for additional discoveries and/or being integrated into treatments, etc. 

But today we have the chance to take a look at research happening right now, literally as I type this. Research made possible by generous donors like you!  And nothing is more motivating than knowing that these are the sorts of discoveries that, together, we are helping to make a reality. Because today's research is tomorrow's cure, and today's patient is tomorrow's survivor.

Barr Program Investigator Carl Novina, MD, PhD

Excellent progress is being made at Dana-Farber to identify and sequence many cancer mutations, but it is often still difficult to discern their various roles: some mutations drive cancer, while others are neutral bystanders. Using Barr funding, Carl Novina, MD, PhD,is applying a novel technology called gene editing to develop protein tags that may help categorize mutations and pinpoint the critical drivers, representing strong targets for treatment. Gene editing allows scientists to use artificial enzymes to cut into a gene and insert, remove, or replace segments of DNA. In contrast to approaches aimed at stopping mutant gene expression, Dr. Novina intends to use this technology to introduce a segment of DNA that acts as a sophisticated “tag,” allowing him to trace a protein through the cell and determine its potential role in driving tumor growth. Understanding the underlying causes of various cancers could help investigators pinpoint possible targets for therapeutic intervention.

Click HERE to make a gift in support of Erin's Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge

Click HERE to Sponsor-a-Mile with a gift of $126.20 or more

Motivation Monday

As we rapidly approach the start of our "official" training one week from today, I find this motivation particularly fitting: 

However it is that much easier to stay committed when I know that the DFMC supports such ground breaking research. As I share these impact statements each week, keep in mind that research such as this is much like the marathon itself. There are no sprints on the course to new discoveries in the fight against cancer - rather, these investigators must maintain a steady pace and go the distance, no matter the obstacles and no matter how long it takes them to reach the finish line.  

Such as Rosalind Segal, MD, PhD, who was supported by the Barr Program in 1998-2000 and 2002-‘04 and worked to discover new pathways in brain cancers.  This research led directly to promising new clinical trials for the nearly 23,000 patients who develop these diseases every year.

Brain cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat and is responsible for more

than 13,000 deaths annually. Dr. Segal discovered that a genetic pathway called “Notch” is consistently damaged in brain tumors. Drugs already exist for other diseases to target Notch, and

exciting new clinical trials are now underway to explore opportunities to now use these

drugs for brain cancer patients. This has the potential to significantly improve survival for

this devastating cancer.

I am proud to be supporting investigators such as Dr. Segal, and beyond grateful to those of you who have already helped me reach 28% towards my goal of raising $10,000 to fund this vital research- and all before our official training has even started!  There is nothing more motivating than knowing that together, we are helping to change and save lives.  

Monday Motivation

First, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! We spent the holiday with my family in Upstate New York and I squeezed in some wonderful runs, including my first snowy run (which was AWESOME). And yeah, I can't believe I grew up with all of that beauty surrounding me and took it for granted! It was so stunningly peaceful and quiet, and I loved every second. 

 

Over the river and through the woods, on a six mile run I go...

And now suddenly it is December 1st! What??? Which means two things:

1. Our "official" marathon training begins two weeks from today! Woohoo!
2. It is Monday...so it's time for some motivation! 

As you know, 100% of the funds raised by the DFMC benefit the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. As such, I am continuing to share some of the impact these vital projects have had, because nothing is more motivating than learning how your generous gifts help push us towards the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.  

Today, I would like to highlight the work of  Dr. Martin Sattler on DNA Pathways and Drug Resistance in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a slowly progressing form of leukemia in which too many white blood cells are made in the bone marrow and accumulate in the blood. Although bone marrow transplant is the only known curative therapy for CML, the revolutionary drug Gleevec, developed in collaboration with DFCI investigators, has shown remarkable results in some patients. However, those who do respond to Gleevec often develop resistance to the drug, which leads to disease progression. Thus, there is a need to develop new, targeted therapies against CML to combat resistance. Martin Sattler, PhD, and his team are studying he underlying DNA damage and DNA repair mechanisms in CML cells. This basic science is essential to understand these altered DNA repair pathways and their role in drug-resistance. Dr. Sattler’s findings will potentially fuel the development of drugs that inhibit these processes and prevent or delay drug resistance. Additionally, this research is likely to be relevant to other cancers that are driven by similar genomic instability. 

Wow. Pretty awesome stuff.  

And the below?  Well that pretty much sums up why I am doing this challenge.  

Disclaimer: Someone remind me to read this post in a few weeks when it is twenty degrees cooler and the snow has turned turned to slushy muck rendering it slightly less blissful than my fist snowy run. Deal? Thanks.  Until then, lacing 'em up and loving winter running. 

Motivation Monday

Where we are headed into a holiday week with lots of tempting treats, what better motivation than to share the impact of Dr. Bruce Spiegelman's research on the link between obesity and cancer, which determined why obesity is a risk factor in 10-15% of human cancers. Dr. Spiegelman's research, supported by the Barr program in 2005, demonstrated that obesity causes many body-wide alterations in metabolism, hormone levels, and inflammation, and that these abnormalities may affect the development and progression of cancers. Determining the link between obesity and these cancers could be instrumental to inhibiting cancer development in both obese and non-obese people, leading to the potential for major breakthroughs in the development of new ways to treat and prevent cancer.

Something to think about when reaching for that second helping of mashed potatoes...or rather, to give you motivation to go run them off after!

Oh and since we're talking second helpings of mashed potatoes - why not a second helping of motivation to go with it?

Wherever you find yourself running (and eating mashed potatoes) this week, I wish you and your families a blessed and happy Thanksgiving holiday. We have so much to be thankful for, and I am particularly thankful for my health and all of you!

New and Improved Monday Motivation

Happy Monday everyone!  This past week we had our first DFMC team meeting (a more complete recap forthcoming...it's been a busy week!) and it inspired me to reformat my Monday Motivation. Since the BIGGEST motivation is knowing that I am helping my team to raise over $5.3 billion dollars to fund cutting edge cancer research, I am going to start including some of the impact statements that give a sense for the truly life changing and saving research being done through the Barr Program, which receives 100% of the funds raised by the DFMC.

For example, the 2008 Barr research project of Loren Walensky, MD, PhD.  Dr. Walensky's project 

focused on the development of new therapies with the potential to reactivate the “executioner” function of cancer cells and prevent their uncontrollable growth.

All living cells contain “executioner proteins” that help control the growth of normal cells. 

Cancer cells find a way to prevent activation of these proteins, enabling them to replicate 

uncontrollably. Dr. Walensky generated novel compounds that bind to these proteins in cancer cells, reactivating their “executioner” function and triggering cell death. By integrating chemistry, biology and cancer medicine, this work has the potential to create groundbreaking new therapies for multiple types of cancer, many of which no longer respond to conventional therapies.

And NONE of that research - or that which has been done in the other amazing projects you will learn about each week - could have happened without the generous gifts from donors like you!

I am sure Dr. Walensky and so many other talented and dedicated researchers have had days where they were unsure whether their hard work would make a difference. But they push on undeterred, keeping the ultimate goal and finish line (a world without cancer) on the horizon, and their work has had tremendous and far reaching impact. Could you imagine what would have happened if they just gave up when it got hard?  Not an option.  So yes, while I will certainly have days where I am unsure whether I can raise $10,000 and run 26.2 miles, seeing the true impact this challenge makes is all the motivation I need.  

www.RunDFMC/org/2015/erincollins