Humble Observer - News
Golfer battled cancer thanks to funds from organization
By JENNIFER SUMMER
Given only two to four months to live, Kingwood resident Gordon Findlay underwent radiation and chemotherapy to treat his pancreatic cancer.
The treatments were very taxing for Gordon and did not produce any improvements to the disease until receiving a forerunner of Camptothecin.
“I was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer November 1994 and was accepted to the clinical trials for Camptothecin in 1995,” Gordon said. “I had a tumor that was the size of a tennis ball that had integrated into my spinal cord and arteries. They could not operate and ensure they would get all of the cancer.”
After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, Gordon developed blood clots in both legs which traveled to his lungs causing a Pulmonary Embolism.
“There was nothing else available for me so we started looking at some of the more experimental cancer treatments I came across The Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research,” Gordon said. “I qualified for the clinical trials for Camptothecin.”
Camptothecin is an extract from a Chinese tree that is found to have anticancer activity though when it was first discovered, it took several years for it to be used because of the toxicity levels.
“The doses of Camptothecin that I received help shrink my tumor and I would not say cured me of my cancer but I am still here and doing very well,” Gordon added.
An avid golfer at Deerwood Country Club, Gordon met several members of Golfers Against Cancer and explained to them about the Stehlin Foundation and Camptothecin research.
Golfers Against Cancer became an organized group in 1997 to show support for two golfers who were diagnosed with cancer. The group of golfers and members raise money which is directly donated to cancer research like The Stehlin Foundation.
“When Golfers Against Cancer first started, the members were looking for a group to be a beneficiary. They wanted to be able to give their money to a group that funds research so The Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research was the first beneficiary,” Gordon said.
Throughout the years, Golfers Against Cancer continues to donate funds for research to The Stehlin Foundation and a a variety of other different research groups.
They have raised over $20 million and funded over 100 specific research programs focused on finding a cure for different cancers.
“As a group, we research different projects and select a few each year. We make contributions directly to the research project and then we receive updates through the year on the projects we are helping fund,” Gordon said.
The Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research became a part of Christus Health which provides additional funding for the group and the anticancer drug containing Camptothecin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and will soon be undergoing Phase One clinical trials.
“This is a function of Golfer Against Cancer funds to help continue research for this experimental treatment. Along with The Stehlin Foundation, Golfers Against Cancer also helps provide funding for research for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Prostate Cancer Foundation to name a few,” Gordon said.
To help raise funds for more research, Golfers Against Cancer plan to host their annual gala and golf tournament at the Clubs of Kingwood.
The celebration kicks off with the gala, followed by a VIP sponsors tournament and the tournament open to the public Nov. 24 at the Clubs of Kingwood.
Continental Airlines and Houston BMW have shown their support throughout the years and have donated several special prizes for the auction at the gala.
Between golfing, live and silent auctions and fun during the tournament and gala, guests will have the chance to meet members like Gordon who have battled cancer and speak with the special honoree, Kyle Lograsso, a six-year old golfer who lost an eye to cancer and is still battling the disease.
“The tournament is always a fun time for everyone to get together for a good cause. I plan to be out there, signing people in and registering golfers, I am excited,” Gordon said. “Golfers Against Cancer helps doctors and researchers find cures for cancer and funds their research programs. We encourage everyone to join us for a good cause.”
Golfers Against Cancer Golf Tournament and Gala
WHEN: Gala - Nov. 22 at 5 p.m., Sponsors tournament - Nov. 23 at 11 a.m., Main tournament - Nov. 24 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Gala - Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy., Humble; tournaments - The Clubs of Kingwood, 1700 Lake Kingwood Trail, Kingwood
INFO: www.golfersagainstcancer.org or 281-348-2280
The treatments were very taxing for Gordon and did not produce any improvements to the disease until receiving a forerunner of Camptothecin.
“I was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer November 1994 and was accepted to the clinical trials for Camptothecin in 1995,” Gordon said. “I had a tumor that was the size of a tennis ball that had integrated into my spinal cord and arteries. They could not operate and ensure they would get all of the cancer.”
After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, Gordon developed blood clots in both legs which traveled to his lungs causing a Pulmonary Embolism.
“There was nothing else available for me so we started looking at some of the more experimental cancer treatments I came across The Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research,” Gordon said. “I qualified for the clinical trials for Camptothecin.”
Camptothecin is an extract from a Chinese tree that is found to have anticancer activity though when it was first discovered, it took several years for it to be used because of the toxicity levels.
“The doses of Camptothecin that I received help shrink my tumor and I would not say cured me of my cancer but I am still here and doing very well,” Gordon added.
An avid golfer at Deerwood Country Club, Gordon met several members of Golfers Against Cancer and explained to them about the Stehlin Foundation and Camptothecin research.
Golfers Against Cancer became an organized group in 1997 to show support for two golfers who were diagnosed with cancer. The group of golfers and members raise money which is directly donated to cancer research like The Stehlin Foundation.
“When Golfers Against Cancer first started, the members were looking for a group to be a beneficiary. They wanted to be able to give their money to a group that funds research so The Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research was the first beneficiary,” Gordon said.
Throughout the years, Golfers Against Cancer continues to donate funds for research to The Stehlin Foundation and a a variety of other different research groups.
They have raised over $20 million and funded over 100 specific research programs focused on finding a cure for different cancers.
“As a group, we research different projects and select a few each year. We make contributions directly to the research project and then we receive updates through the year on the projects we are helping fund,” Gordon said.
The Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research became a part of Christus Health which provides additional funding for the group and the anticancer drug containing Camptothecin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and will soon be undergoing Phase One clinical trials.
“This is a function of Golfer Against Cancer funds to help continue research for this experimental treatment. Along with The Stehlin Foundation, Golfers Against Cancer also helps provide funding for research for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Prostate Cancer Foundation to name a few,” Gordon said.
To help raise funds for more research, Golfers Against Cancer plan to host their annual gala and golf tournament at the Clubs of Kingwood.
The celebration kicks off with the gala, followed by a VIP sponsors tournament and the tournament open to the public Nov. 24 at the Clubs of Kingwood.
Continental Airlines and Houston BMW have shown their support throughout the years and have donated several special prizes for the auction at the gala.
Between golfing, live and silent auctions and fun during the tournament and gala, guests will have the chance to meet members like Gordon who have battled cancer and speak with the special honoree, Kyle Lograsso, a six-year old golfer who lost an eye to cancer and is still battling the disease.
“The tournament is always a fun time for everyone to get together for a good cause. I plan to be out there, signing people in and registering golfers, I am excited,” Gordon said. “Golfers Against Cancer helps doctors and researchers find cures for cancer and funds their research programs. We encourage everyone to join us for a good cause.”
Golfers Against Cancer Golf Tournament and Gala
WHEN: Gala - Nov. 22 at 5 p.m., Sponsors tournament - Nov. 23 at 11 a.m., Main tournament - Nov. 24 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Gala - Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy., Humble; tournaments - The Clubs of Kingwood, 1700 Lake Kingwood Trail, Kingwood
INFO: www.golfersagainstcancer.org or 281-348-2280
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