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Miami Bride (continued from front) Lainey responded well to the chemo, which made the surgery and radiation easier. She feels great. Having successfully completed the radiation regimen, Lainey has started the hormonal therapy and will undergo reconstructive surgery. Of course, she will have regular follow-up exams and tests with Dr. Slingerland. “Even if I didn’t work at UM, I would still have gone to Sylvester – they are absolutely the best.” “I could never have gotten through it alone. My husband was wonderful; my family and my husband’s family – they were all here for me through it all,” Lainey shares. “I never had to be alone or go to an appointment alone – someone was ALWAYS with me.” Today, Lainey feels good and is getting on with her life and her new marriage. She will be a patient model at Sylvester’s Designed For a Cure event in February. Another New Sylvester Location to Better Serve our Patients Sylvester at Hollywood Dr. Alves is a local expert in hematologic malignancies, while Dr. Mudad is a recognized expert in the field of thoracic oncology. Ney Alves, M.D. Raja Mudad, M.D., F.A.C.P. This new satellite of Sylvester will provide patients in the south Broward and Aventura areas access to numerous clinical trials and state-of-the-art cancer treatments only available through an academic institution of this caliber. The Hollywood team will join a group of more than 250 physicians and scientists at Sylvester dedicated to the mission of relieving the burden of cancer. How You Can Help Today! Please consider making a contribution to Sylvester by sending a check made out to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, or by visiting our website at www.sylvester.org/how_to. For more information or physician referrals, please call (305) 243-1000 or (800) 545-2292. Sylvester, Office of Advancement, PO Box 016960 (M867), Miami, FL 33101-9844 Miami Bride Didn’t Let Cancer Ruin Her Wedding At the young age of 28, bride-to-be Lainey Tobin (now Lainey Tobin Kieffer) felt something in her breast and at her fiancé’s urging underwent an ultrasound and mammogram. This was two months before her wedding date. On April 7, Lainey celebrated her bridal shower. Three days later she had a precautionary biopsy done. Two days later she was diagnosed with cancer. As a nurse-practitioner in the University of Miami UHealth System, Lainey immediately contacted specialists at the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester. Her oncologist, Dr. Joyce Slingerland, diagnosed her with multi-focal invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 3. Ney Alves, M.D., and Raja Mudad, M.D., F.A.C.P., are joining Sylvester’s multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists. As the newest satellite facility, Sylvester at Hollywood will bring Sylvester’s totals to 189 exam rooms across 5 locations and 120 CTU Infusion Suites. “We will be able to provide even more high-quality options for cancer care to the South Broward community,” explains Dr. Alves. “Our convenient location allows patients access to cutting-edge treatments and scientific resources that were not previously available in the Hollywood and Aventura area.” WINTER 2014 HHH from Charity Navigator, the largest independent evaluator of charities. Provide us with your email address for monthly updates about cancer awareness campaigns, the work going on at Sylvester, inspiring stories, as well as tips and information on how to prevent illness and encourage healthy lifestyles. Connect with Us! If you do not wish to receive further fundraising communications from the University of Miami Medical Programs/UHealth System, please send your request either by email to the following address: [email protected] or mail your request to the Office of HIPAA Privacy and Security, P.O. Box 019132 (M-879), Miami, Florida 33101. Be sure to include the following: Name, Address, Phone Number and Email address. Only complete requests can be processed. You may receive additional communication during the processing of your request. ADVANCES “Her young age was the most important unusual feature of Lainey’s cancer. Her cancer was locally advanced and was comprised of multiple tumors,” recalls Dr. Slingerland. Her age and the advanced stage of her tumors made recurrence more likely, so her treatment had to be aggressive. That raised challenging considerations for her team. “Most breast cancers occur in women over age 60, so fertility is not a concern. But Lainey had yet to have children.” Lainey’s team had to weigh the effects of chemo, Herceptin and hormonal therapy – all needed to prevent recurrence and death from breast cancer – on her future fertility. The most important factor: not compromising Lainey’s long-term life expectancy. “Dr. Slingerland was unbelievable! She gave me so much time! She outlined the plan, exactly what had to be done. She was and is there when I need her. I always felt so comfortable with her – I was never afraid to ask any question at all, call or email her any time. This was so important – to feel that comfortable with your team.” – Lainey The Sylvester Difference Dr. Joyce Slingerland on the benefits to Lainey being treated at Sylvester • Lainey was able to consult with our fertility service to preserve her future fertility. She discussed cryopreservation of eggs before starting chemo for future in-vitro fertilization after treatment. • She had access to our panel of clinical trials for therapies involving novel targeted agents that would not be available elsewhere. • We have expert teams of geneticists, surgeons, breast imagers, pathologists, radiation and medical oncologists, who all confer together to come up with the best treatment options. • Her family doctor is a colleague. We were able to confer several times during the course of her treatment. Our ability to easily collaborate was crucial when Lainey faced complications during chemotherapy. • Lainey’s tumor has been stored in our tumor bank repository, allowing greater, more in depth analysis of the molecular attributes of this tumor in the context of research study. Lainey’s therapy plan included P.O. Box 016960 (M867) • Miami, Florida 33101-9844 • (305) 243-9088 • www.sylvester.org genetic testing, chemotherapy together with Herceptin to shrink the tumors, followed by a double mastectomy and radiation. Completion of radiation therapy will be followed by one year of Herceptin and five years of antiestrogen hormonal therapy. The collaborative work of her various specialists made this unique treatment plan possible. Lainey and her fiancé, Michael, decided to move their June 2 wedding date and get married before the treatment started. The wedding – which was smaller and more private – was on May 5. “It was a gorgeous wedding – despite everything that was happening, I was marrying the man of my dreams!” says Lainey. The very next day she had her pre-chemo oncology appointment, received her port and started chemo one week after the wedding. On June 2 – their original wedding date – she shaved what was left of her beautiful hair. (continued on back) Message from the Director Over the last decade, we have learned just how distinct each person’s cancer is. This is not surprising given our own unique differences. Nonetheless, for many types of cancer – including colon, breast, prostate or lung – different abnormalities drive the cancer cells’ growth. It is because of these variables that we are working to Dr. Stephen Nimer define the best line of treatment for each patient. At Sylvester, we are committed to continue developing these powerful, targeted therapies. But it is clear that we need other strategies as well. Perhaps one of the most exciting discoveries we have witnessed over the last five years has been our improved understanding of how to manipulate a patient’s own immune system to respond more effectively against his or her cancerous cells. We are fortunate to have an exceptional team of medical oncologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and researchers who are devoting countless hours to saving others. By growing our research network that provides insight into these disease processes, then applying that knowledge to develop effective new treatments for patients, Sylvester will not only assure its future as a world-class comprehensive cancer research and treatment center, it also will allow us to honor our commitment to providing quality, patient-centric cancer care. Stephen D. Nimer, M.D. Director Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Survivor Stories: Sylvester Cancer Patient Updates In the past we’ve shared stories of our brave cancer patients with you. We thought you’d appreciate knowing how they are doing now… Jamie Rusk Adenocarcinoma Survivor “During the past six-plus years, I realized many things but in particular how precious time is and where I want to put my time and energy when I am able. That is why I give back to Sylvester and in a big way! They saved my husband’s life, mine (many times) and they continue to keep me alive!” Jamie Rusk, her husband Kevin and their sons Karen DeGray Mantle Cell Lymphoma Survivor “Wow... Can’t believe it’s 10 years since my diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma. So blessed to have been referred to Dr. Lossos. Every day is a gift. I’m so grateful.” Karen and her husband New Faces at Sylvester Life-Changing Research at Sylvester Mark Gonzalgo, M.D., Ph.D., is an expert in the treatment of urologic cancers, who has conducted pioneering research on the molecular biology and early detection of prostate, bladder and kidney cancers. Dr. Gonzalgo was recruited to the University of Miami from Stanford where he served as Director of Robotic-Assisted Urologic Cancer Surgery. New Approach to Treating Leukemia Ronald Desrosiers, Ph.D., has joined the Miller School’s Department of Pathology, where he will serve as Director of Research Faculty Development and continue his basic science research into viruses that cause AIDS and cancer. After spending the past 35 years at Harvard and its New England Primate Research Center, Dr. Desrosiers will have an enormous impact on the HIV and viral oncology programs at the University of Miami. After decades of research, we have identified specific enzymes that play a role in the normal development of stem cells from the bone marrow into mature blood cells. By understanding the impact of these enzymes on the development of blood cells, our experts can find a way to inhibit the function of these abnormal cells, thus preventing AML. New Additions to our Faculty and Medical Staff Jamie Hoffman, M.D. Cleveland Clinic – Florida Department of Medicine Ivaylo Mihaylov, Ph.D. Brown University Department of Radiation Oncology Lan Wang, Ph.D. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Breelyn Wilky, M.D. Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center – John Hopkins Hospital Department of Pathology Sanoj Punnen, M.D. University of California San Francisco Department of Urology Noriyuki Kasahara, M.D., Ph.D. University of California Los Angeles Department of Cell Biology Heather King, M.D. University of Miami Department of Surgery Augustin Pimentel, M.D. University of Miami Department of Medicine Xiao-Jian Sun, Ph.D. Rockefeller University Department of Cell Biology Theresa Cao, M.D. State University of New York Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Francisco Vega, M.D. University of Texas – M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Pathology Jeong Hee Cho, M.D., Ph.D. University of Texas – M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Pathology Arthur Zelent, Ph.D. The Institute of Cancer Research – United Kingdom Department of Medicine Edward Ziga, M.D., M.P.H. St. Jude Children’s Hospital Department of Pediatrics A recent study has found a potential new approach to halting the growth of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a deadly blood-borne cancer in adults and children. About 14,000 new cases of AML are diagnosed each year in the United States, and the five-year survival rate for patients is less than 30 percent. AML is an acute form of leukemia that begins when blood cells formed in the bone marrow fail to develop properly, allowing them to spread throughout the body. “It is our hope that we will be able to use this approach against leukemia cells, and that our work will accelerate clinical research into new treatments for this form of cancer.” – Stephen D. Nimer, M.D. Overcoming Complications from Bone Marrow Transplantation Krishna V. Komanduri, M.D., Director of Sylvester’s Adult Stem Cell Transplant Program, is focusing on understanding the complications that result from an immunological rejection after bone marrow or stem cell transplant. Dr. Komanduri and his team identified a class of drugs usually used to treat skin cancer that could also be used to ensure the newly transplanted donor cells do not attack the transplant recipient’s body, while maintaining the benefits of the transplant. This research has the potential to identify novel approaches that will transform the future of transplantation by making it safer and more widely applicable. Patient-Specific Targeted Therapies Joseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D., Director of the Hematology/Oncology Division, is utilizing antibodies to target tumors by delivering proteins to evoke an immune response against the tumor or halt tumor growth altogether. Rosenblatt and his team have developed treatments that manipulate the patient’s own antibodies to inhibit the formation of blood vessels in tumors, target a wide variety of tumors and elicit vigorous anti-tumor immune response. Events Benefiting Research at Sylvester Fourth Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge Inspires Dolphins Cycling Challenge Spin-a-Thon Not only did the Fourth Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge draw 2,875 riders to raise $3.1 million – $1.1 million more than the year before – it inspired a new event to raise funds for Sylvester! More than 100 University of Miami students and employees participated in the Dolphins Cycling Challenge Spin-a-Thon, a “spinoff ” of the much-larger Dolphins Cycling Challenge. This event was created to help raise more money and give students like Celia Schieffelin the chance to honor the courage of her mom, who has been battling cancer for the past three and a half years. Told she’d be lucky if she lived to see her daughter graduate from high school, Celia’s mom is still alive and fighting because of advances in cancer treatments. “I realized this was something I could do to help, the opportunity I had been seeking for so long that would help my mother and others by raising the money needed to advance cancer research,” Celia said. “Every single pedal, every mile, every hill I go over, it’s because I want her to be able to be here with me longer than she should be.” At last count, Celia had raised over $32,000. Not bad for a college freshman! “I hope I can inspire people to realize they can make an impact. At 17, I was able to pull this together, so I think people can realize the potential they can have. They should feel ‘I can actually do something.’” – Celia Schieffelin Thanks to all – cyclists, volunteers and donors – who participated in the 2013 DCC and the Spin-a-Thon! Their efforts are truly helping make South Florida a healthier place for us all. Message from the Director Over the last decade, we have learned just how distinct each person’s cancer is. This is not surprising given our own unique differences. Nonetheless, for many types of cancer – including colon, breast, prostate or lung – different abnormalities drive the cancer cells’ growth. It is because of these variables that we are working to Dr. Stephen Nimer define the best line of treatment for each patient. At Sylvester, we are committed to continue developing these powerful, targeted therapies. But it is clear that we need other strategies as well. Perhaps one of the most exciting discoveries we have witnessed over the last five years has been our improved understanding of how to manipulate a patient’s own immune system to respond more effectively against his or her cancerous cells. We are fortunate to have an exceptional team of medical oncologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and researchers who are devoting countless hours to saving others. By growing our research network that provides insight into these disease processes, then applying that knowledge to develop effective new treatments for patients, Sylvester will not only assure its future as a world-class comprehensive cancer research and treatment center, it also will allow us to honor our commitment to providing quality, patient-centric cancer care. Stephen D. Nimer, M.D. Director Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Survivor Stories: Sylvester Cancer Patient Updates In the past we’ve shared stories of our brave cancer patients with you. We thought you’d appreciate knowing how they are doing now… Jamie Rusk Adenocarcinoma Survivor “During the past six-plus years, I realized many things but in particular how precious time is and where I want to put my time and energy when I am able. That is why I give back to Sylvester and in a big way! They saved my husband’s life, mine (many times) and they continue to keep me alive!” Jamie Rusk, her husband Kevin and their sons Karen DeGray Mantle Cell Lymphoma Survivor “Wow... Can’t believe it’s 10 years since my diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma. So blessed to have been referred to Dr. Lossos. Every day is a gift. I’m so grateful.” Karen and her husband New Faces at Sylvester Life-Changing Research at Sylvester Mark Gonzalgo, M.D., Ph.D., is an expert in the treatment of urologic cancers, who has conducted pioneering research on the molecular biology and early detection of prostate, bladder and kidney cancers. Dr. Gonzalgo was recruited to the University of Miami from Stanford where he served as Director of Robotic-Assisted Urologic Cancer Surgery. New Approach to Treating Leukemia Ronald Desrosiers, Ph.D., has joined the Miller School’s Department of Pathology, where he will serve as Director of Research Faculty Development and continue his basic science research into viruses that cause AIDS and cancer. After spending the past 35 years at Harvard and its New England Primate Research Center, Dr. Desrosiers will have an enormous impact on the HIV and viral oncology programs at the University of Miami. After decades of research, we have identified specific enzymes that play a role in the normal development of stem cells from the bone marrow into mature blood cells. By understanding the impact of these enzymes on the development of blood cells, our experts can find a way to inhibit the function of these abnormal cells, thus preventing AML. New Additions to our Faculty and Medical Staff Jamie Hoffman, M.D. Cleveland Clinic – Florida Department of Medicine Ivaylo Mihaylov, Ph.D. Brown University Department of Radiation Oncology Lan Wang, Ph.D. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Breelyn Wilky, M.D. Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center – John Hopkins Hospital Department of Pathology Sanoj Punnen, M.D. University of California San Francisco Department of Urology Noriyuki Kasahara, M.D., Ph.D. University of California Los Angeles Department of Cell Biology Heather King, M.D. University of Miami Department of Surgery Augustin Pimentel, M.D. University of Miami Department of Medicine Xiao-Jian Sun, Ph.D. Rockefeller University Department of Cell Biology Theresa Cao, M.D. State University of New York Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Francisco Vega, M.D. University of Texas – M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Pathology Jeong Hee Cho, M.D., Ph.D. University of Texas – M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Pathology Arthur Zelent, Ph.D. The Institute of Cancer Research – United Kingdom Department of Medicine Edward Ziga, M.D., M.P.H. St. Jude Children’s Hospital Department of Pediatrics A recent study has found a potential new approach to halting the growth of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a deadly blood-borne cancer in adults and children. About 14,000 new cases of AML are diagnosed each year in the United States, and the five-year survival rate for patients is less than 30 percent. AML is an acute form of leukemia that begins when blood cells formed in the bone marrow fail to develop properly, allowing them to spread throughout the body. “It is our hope that we will be able to use this approach against leukemia cells, and that our work will accelerate clinical research into new treatments for this form of cancer.” – Stephen D. Nimer, M.D. Overcoming Complications from Bone Marrow Transplantation Krishna V. Komanduri, M.D., Director of Sylvester’s Adult Stem Cell Transplant Program, is focusing on understanding the complications that result from an immunological rejection after bone marrow or stem cell transplant. Dr. Komanduri and his team identified a class of drugs usually used to treat skin cancer that could also be used to ensure the newly transplanted donor cells do not attack the transplant recipient’s body, while maintaining the benefits of the transplant. This research has the potential to identify novel approaches that will transform the future of transplantation by making it safer and more widely applicable. Patient-Specific Targeted Therapies Joseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D., Director of the Hematology/Oncology Division, is utilizing antibodies to target tumors by delivering proteins to evoke an immune response against the tumor or halt tumor growth altogether. Rosenblatt and his team have developed treatments that manipulate the patient’s own antibodies to inhibit the formation of blood vessels in tumors, target a wide variety of tumors and elicit vigorous anti-tumor immune response. Events Benefiting Research at Sylvester Fourth Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge Inspires Dolphins Cycling Challenge Spin-a-Thon Not only did the Fourth Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge draw 2,875 riders to raise $3.1 million – $1.1 million more than the year before – it inspired a new event to raise funds for Sylvester! More than 100 University of Miami students and employees participated in the Dolphins Cycling Challenge Spin-a-Thon, a “spinoff ” of the much-larger Dolphins Cycling Challenge. This event was created to help raise more money and give students like Celia Schieffelin the chance to honor the courage of her mom, who has been battling cancer for the past three and a half years. Told she’d be lucky if she lived to see her daughter graduate from high school, Celia’s mom is still alive and fighting because of advances in cancer treatments. “I realized this was something I could do to help, the opportunity I had been seeking for so long that would help my mother and others by raising the money needed to advance cancer research,” Celia said. “Every single pedal, every mile, every hill I go over, it’s because I want her to be able to be here with me longer than she should be.” At last count, Celia had raised over $32,000. Not bad for a college freshman! “I hope I can inspire people to realize they can make an impact. At 17, I was able to pull this together, so I think people can realize the potential they can have. They should feel ‘I can actually do something.’” – Celia Schieffelin Thanks to all – cyclists, volunteers and donors – who participated in the 2013 DCC and the Spin-a-Thon! Their efforts are truly helping make South Florida a healthier place for us all. Miami Bride (continued from front) Lainey responded well to the chemo, which made the surgery and radiation easier. She feels great. Having successfully completed the radiation regimen, Lainey has started the hormonal therapy and will undergo reconstructive surgery. Of course, she will have regular follow-up exams and tests with Dr. Slingerland. “Even if I didn’t work at UM, I would still have gone to Sylvester – they are absolutely the best.” “I could never have gotten through it alone. My husband was wonderful; my family and my husband’s family – they were all here for me through it all,” Lainey shares. “I never had to be alone or go to an appointment alone – someone was ALWAYS with me.” Today, Lainey feels good and is getting on with her life and her new marriage. She will be a patient model at Sylvester’s Designed For a Cure event in February. Another New Sylvester Location to Better Serve our Patients Sylvester at Hollywood Dr. Alves is a local expert in hematologic malignancies, while Dr. Mudad is a recognized expert in the field of thoracic oncology. Ney Alves, M.D. Raja Mudad, M.D., F.A.C.P. This new satellite of Sylvester will provide patients in the south Broward and Aventura areas access to numerous clinical trials and state-of-the-art cancer treatments only available through an academic institution of this caliber. The Hollywood team will join a group of more than 250 physicians and scientists at Sylvester dedicated to the mission of relieving the burden of cancer. How You Can Help Today! Please consider making a contribution to Sylvester by sending a check made out to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, or by visiting our website at www.sylvester.org/how_to. For more information or physician referrals, please call (305) 243-1000 or (800) 545-2292. Sylvester, Office of Advancement, PO Box 016960 (M867), Miami, FL 33101-9844 Miami Bride Didn’t Let Cancer Ruin Her Wedding At the young age of 28, bride-to-be Lainey Tobin (now Lainey Tobin Kieffer) felt something in her breast and at her fiancé’s urging underwent an ultrasound and mammogram. This was two months before her wedding date. On April 7, Lainey celebrated her bridal shower. Three days later she had a precautionary biopsy done. Two days later she was diagnosed with cancer. As a nurse-practitioner in the University of Miami UHealth System, Lainey immediately contacted specialists at the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester. Her oncologist, Dr. Joyce Slingerland, diagnosed her with multi-focal invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 3. Ney Alves, M.D., and Raja Mudad, M.D., F.A.C.P., are joining Sylvester’s multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists. As the newest satellite facility, Sylvester at Hollywood will bring Sylvester’s totals to 189 exam rooms across 5 locations and 120 CTU Infusion Suites. “We will be able to provide even more high-quality options for cancer care to the South Broward community,” explains Dr. Alves. “Our convenient location allows patients access to cutting-edge treatments and scientific resources that were not previously available in the Hollywood and Aventura area.” WINTER 2014 HHH from Charity Navigator, the largest independent evaluator of charities. Provide us with your email address for monthly updates about cancer awareness campaigns, the work going on at Sylvester, inspiring stories, as well as tips and information on how to prevent illness and encourage healthy lifestyles. Connect with Us! If you do not wish to receive further fundraising communications from the University of Miami Medical Programs/UHealth System, please send your request either by email to the following address: [email protected] or mail your request to the Office of HIPAA Privacy and Security, P.O. Box 019132 (M-879), Miami, Florida 33101. Be sure to include the following: Name, Address, Phone Number and Email address. Only complete requests can be processed. You may receive additional communication during the processing of your request. ADVANCES “Her young age was the most important unusual feature of Lainey’s cancer. Her cancer was locally advanced and was comprised of multiple tumors,” recalls Dr. Slingerland. Her age and the advanced stage of her tumors made recurrence more likely, so her treatment had to be aggressive. That raised challenging considerations for her team. “Most breast cancers occur in women over age 60, so fertility is not a concern. But Lainey had yet to have children.” Lainey’s team had to weigh the effects of chemo, Herceptin and hormonal therapy – all needed to prevent recurrence and death from breast cancer – on her future fertility. The most important factor: not compromising Lainey’s long-term life expectancy. “Dr. Slingerland was unbelievable! She gave me so much time! She outlined the plan, exactly what had to be done. She was and is there when I need her. I always felt so comfortable with her – I was never afraid to ask any question at all, call or email her any time. This was so important – to feel that comfortable with your team.” – Lainey The Sylvester Difference Dr. Joyce Slingerland on the benefits to Lainey being treated at Sylvester • Lainey was able to consult with our fertility service to preserve her future fertility. She discussed cryopreservation of eggs before starting chemo for future in-vitro fertilization after treatment. • She had access to our panel of clinical trials for therapies involving novel targeted agents that would not be available elsewhere. • We have expert teams of geneticists, surgeons, breast imagers, pathologists, radiation and medical oncologists, who all confer together to come up with the best treatment options. • Her family doctor is a colleague. We were able to confer several times during the course of her treatment. Our ability to easily collaborate was crucial when Lainey faced complications during chemotherapy. • Lainey’s tumor has been stored in our tumor bank repository, allowing greater, more in depth analysis of the molecular attributes of this tumor in the context of research study. Lainey’s therapy plan included P.O. Box 016960 (M867) • Miami, Florida 33101-9844 • (305) 243-9088 • www.sylvester.org genetic testing, chemotherapy together with Herceptin to shrink the tumors, followed by a double mastectomy and radiation. Completion of radiation therapy will be followed by one year of Herceptin and five years of antiestrogen hormonal therapy. The collaborative work of her various specialists made this unique treatment plan possible. Lainey and her fiancé, Michael, decided to move their June 2 wedding date and get married before the treatment started. The wedding – which was smaller and more private – was on May 5. “It was a gorgeous wedding – despite everything that was happening, I was marrying the man of my dreams!” says Lainey. The very next day she had her pre-chemo oncology appointment, received her port and started chemo one week after the wedding. On June 2 – their original wedding date – she shaved what was left of her beautiful hair. (continued on back)