When you support cancer research at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, you provide UCI physician-scientists with the necessary resources to pursue innovative projects with the potential to improve the lives of cancer patients in Orange County and beyond.
Patients like Michelle Helm have experienced firsthand the impact of these advanced cancer therapies.
Helm's lung cancer journey was filled with misdiagnoses until she found UCI Health specialists who offered hope. Genetic mutations are common in lung cancers, especially among nonsmoking patients like Helm.
Through advanced precision medicine approaches and surgical expertise, physicians at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center were able to implement a successful treatment option for Helm's specific gene mutation.
Lung cancer may still be the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths, but the prognosis for patients is “changing before our eyes,” says Dr. Ali Mahtabifard, director of thoracic surgery at UCI Health and a member of the lung cancer team. He recalls being able to do little for patients with advanced lung cancer when undergoing fellowship training in thoracic surgery less than 20 years ago.
“These immunotherapies are making a lot of these patients with advanced stage disease live long and fulfilling lives.”
Today, Helm is cancer free and looks forward to giving back by participating in the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge, the cancer center’s annual community ride, run and walk event dedicated to raising funds for critical cancer research.
Your gift today can help fund groundbreaking cancer research to make second chances possible for patients like Helm. Every dollar you give supports pilot projects and early phase clinical trials aimed to develop new insights into cancer prevention, treatment and cures — to save lives.
| Rank | State | Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CA | 15 |
| 2 | NV | 3 |
| 3 | MA | 1 |
