Hollings Headlines // December 2020
More than one reason to celebrate
Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has been an amazing year for MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. This year, we've been particularly blessed to have a number of bold, brave and resilient patients who have served our center as ambassadors and who have brought hope to others whose lives have also been touched by cancer.
The faces pictured below not only represent personal success stories, but the ongoing successes of our physicians, researchers, nurses and support staff who have dedicated their careers to improving the lives of all cancer patients.
Nine stories. One common goal: cancer awareness.
  • Donna Rosa, skin cancer survivor, beat her diagnosis not once, but five times. Read Donna's story.
  • Kelly Bulak, lung cancer survivor, offers a stark reminder that cancer can strike anyone at any time, even those in their 20s. Read Kelly's story.
  • Jennifer Attisano, breast cancer survivor, reveals how she adds joy to life with a little help from her husband. Read Jennifer's story.
  • Ratanya Manigault, breast cancer survivor, is enjoying time with her daughter after receiving her diagnosis while pregnant. Read Ratanya's story.
  • Miranda Brown, colon cancer survivor, didn't let her diagnosis stand in the way of her dream wedding. Read Miranda's story.
  • Tammy Grainger, cervical cancer survivor, was told she only had two weeks to live -- three years ago. Ready Tammy's story.
  • Suzette Bussey, breast cancer survivor, boldly paved the path for a new sensation-sparing surgery at Hollings. Read Suzette's story.
  • Jim Devereaux, prostate cancer survivor, describes his war with cancer fresh into his retirement from the Marines. Read Jim's story.
  • Janet Smith, pancreatic cancer survivor, credits a routine trip to her primary care physician with saving her life. Read Janet's story.
Coping with cancer during the holidays
The holidays can be a period that evokes strong emotions, both happy and sad, and the effects of the pandemic may exacerbate those feelings. Therapist Wendy Balliet, Ph.D., offers her top tips for cancer patients and their caregivers on navigating the holiday season.
Find help
  • For patients: Hollings offers a number of psychological support services to help you cope. Learn more.
  • For employees: MUSC offers mental health services specifically for employees, including free, short-term counseling through the Employee Assistance Program and a COVID-19 Resiliency Clinic. Learn more.
LOWVELO raises over $113,000 for cancer research
Our LOWVELO fundraising period has come to a close! Special thanks to this year's top fundraiser, Hollings researcher Gerard Sylvestri, M.D., pictured below, who raised $20,000 to help fund lifesaving research right here at Hollings!
Top team fundraisers include:

  • Family Asset Management - $10,848
  • Breaking Wind - $7,553
  • Shake ‘N’ Bake - $6,840
  • Team I’on - $5,955
  • RadRiders - $5,430
  • Guttriders - $3,624

Thanks to all who participated!
Klauber-DeMore recognized for innovative research
We're shouting a big "congratulations" to Hollings researcher Nancy Klauber-DeMore, M.D., who was recently named as a 2020 fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The program highlights academic inventors around the world who have created or facilitated inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.

"As a physician-scientist, my ultimate goal is to take discoveries of novel cancer targets from human tumors all the way to development of a drug to treat the patient's disease," said Klauber-DeMore. "It is an honor to have this work recognized by NAI."
Research corner
Cannabis use in cancer

With a new grant from the National Cancer Institute, Hollings researcher Erin McClure, Ph.D., hopes to gain insight into the prevalence of marijuana use among cancer patients and the beliefs some patients may have about its efficacy in managing their cancer and other medical symptoms.
Pandemic cancer care
Hollings' Head and Neck Oncology Team took matters into its own hands when COVID-19 shutdowns threatened to delay cancer care. Realizing there was no guide for how to safely deliver care, Terry Day, M.D., and other experts across the globe banded together to create one.
Smoking cessation modules
Hollings researcher Graham Warren, M.D., Ph.D., and partners across Canada joined forces to create a free online training program designed to educate a variety of audiences of the effects of smoking on cancer care.
We want your news!

Got news? We have outlets, from our news site to our video boards! We’d love to help promote your latest journal publications, grants, clinical advances and patient stories. Please contact the Hollings communications team to share your news or if you have questions.
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