M. D. Anderson Campaign Gala

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Date: 02/18/2010
Time: 6:22

John Mendelsohn, M.D.:

Because many of you have played such a vital part in the campaign's progress to date, we're sharing with you an evening of celebrating the lives of some of the patients who've been touched by your generosity.  Tonight we'll pay tribute to cancer survivors everywhere, as well as those who bravely fought their battles and now live in our hearts.

Phyllis George:

The Honorary Chairs of the campaign: Barbara and President George H.W., ladies and gentlemen, the Bushes.

President George H.W. Bush:

We're privileged to be Honorary Chairs of this very important campaign because M.D. Anderson is an incredibly special place, not only to us but the thousands of patients and their families who walk through our doors each year.

David A. Peterson, D.Min.:  

But what you really need, what you need at a moment like that is someone who knows what they're talking about.  Someone who knows the family life and the behavior of cancer cells.  You need someone who knows where cancer cells go to hide and someone who knows whether to cut or radiate or drug the cells until every last one of them is gone and you can ring a bell and shout, "I'm cancer free."  And for 100 thousand people this year, that's what M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will do.  Our daughter Angie, a week after her wedding ceremony, was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I remember the evening of that diagnosis.  She and her new husband Josh were sitting in our living room.  All of us were -- you know we had all tears in our eyes.  And he said, "God knew before we were married that this was going to happen.  And he knew that you would need a husband like me."  And they're here with us tonight.

John Mendelsohn, M.D.: 

I can truly, confidently say we're the only one in a campaign that will most likely affect every single person in the United States one was or another. 

Jeff Wigbels:

I have been what I thought was a pretty tough guy.  I had run marathons, triathlons, I ate well, was a nonsmoker, no drugs, solid mental attitude, I did everything right.  I sat with a doctor and a very good friend of mine and found out that I had late stage adenocarcinoma: nonsmokers' lung cancer.  My lower left lobe, and it had spread to my chest, my abdomen and eventually into my brain.  Three and a half years later, I have the greatest gift in the world: life.  I've been watching my son and my daughter grow up every single day.  And I have a loving relationship with my wife.  We decided that cancer is not going to be an excuse for anything: nothing.

Phyllis George:  

Patsy went to a hospital in her home state for scans.  When nothing was revealed, she returned a year later for a follow-up scan to find out that she had pancreatic cancer.  Patsy's brother – O’Neil Griffin - insisted that she come to Houston to M.D. Anderson.  Patsy fought a brave battle and remained cancer free for a remarkable 7 years even though pancreatic cancer's overall 5 year survival rate is only 5 percent.  In May of 2008 on her return visit to M.D. Anderson, a different cancer was found in the remainder of her pancreas.  Patsy underwent chemotherapy and had the remainder treatment again.  Just 22 days ago, we lost a very courageous individual.  Patsy died on January 27th.  Tonight is for our survivors but it's also for those who have left a legacy of courage and inspiration to all. 

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Barbara Padilla.

Jason Connelly:

Philanthropic funding was critical in advancing the therapy that saved my life.  And I am so, so very grateful to all of our donors and to M.D. Anderson for making my cancer history. 

Victoria Johnson: M.D. Anderson is making my cancer history. 
Jaime Ramirez: It's been 22 years since I've been cancer free.
Janice Duplessis: M.D. Anderson gave back to me a sparkle that was in my eye and a hope that was in my heart.
Nikita Robinson: I am a real survivor. M.D. Anderson has made my cancer history. 
And I am Barbara Padilla  from Guadalajara, Mexico and I too am a Hodgkin's disease survivor.  And I've been in remission for 10 years.  Thank you M.D. Anderson for making cancer history. 

John Mendelsohn, M.D.: 

I'm not usually speechless.  Let me just say on behalf of everyone that is a patient at M.D. Anderson and everyone that works at M.D. Anderson and everyone that's a friend of M.D. Anderson, thank you to these incredible survivors that have inspired us tonight.  Thank you.