In Memory of Christopher "Kit" Wessman
When friends and family began asking if we had a preferred charity to which they could direct donations in Kit's name, I contacted his oncologist's office at Sloan Kettering. Not only had they been compassionate and extraordinarily knowledgeable, we knew that they were tapped into the most cutting edge treatments available in cancer care.
The targeted gene therapy that Kit took for the first year and a half of his illness was nothing short of miraculous. With a simple once a day pill as his cancer treatment, all his tumors shrank within three months and he enjoyed an excellent quality of life for the better part of a year. It was a gift to all of us, and we are clear that we owed that beautiful year to this cutting edge treatment. It also became clear, that this new direction in cancer research was a game changer.
I've created this page to help our friends and family to direct their donations specifically towards the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutant Lung Cancer Fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering. This is the research that contributed to the production of the miraculous targeted gene therapy that Kit received, and the work of these scientists continues in an effort to extend and expand the scope of such treatments.
Many of the most important breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment have been brought to light at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and none of that progress would have been possible without support from people like you and me.
In fact, much of the most promising new research can't even begin without donations from individuals: in most cases, government funds become possible only after our support funds the early work that demonstrates real potential.
Too many of us know people who have faced a cancer diagnosis, and sometimes it's hard to know how we can make a difference. One of the most effective ways to help is to make sure the crucial work being done at Memorial Sloan Kettering continues to have the support that will drive it forward.
When the next new breakthrough is announced, it will be nice to know that we have been a part of making it possible.
With much love and gratitude,
Ines
P.S. If you would rather not make your donation online, please send donations in Christopher Wessman’s name to support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Checks, made payable to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, should be mailed to:
Attn: Rachel Flannery
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development
PO Box 27106
New York, NY 10087
Please indicate on the check that the gift is in memory of Christopher Wessman.
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