USC Professor Emeritus Gives to Prostate Cancer Research
Eberhardt Rechtin, Ph.D., a retired professor emeritus of Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, and Industrial and Systems Engineering at USC from 1964-1988, gave $120,000 to support a novel prostate cancer study at the USC/Norris.
Rechtin, a 10-year survivor of prostate cancer, says he made his commitment based on the excellent care and leading-edge therapy he received at the USC/Norris when he was under the care of Gary Lieskovsky, M.D., the Donald G. Skinner Chair in Urology. Derek Raghavan, M.D., Ph.D., associate director of the USC/Norris and chief of medical oncology, will conduct the prostate cancer study, funded solely by Rechtin. The study will examine the predictive value of prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing in diagnosing prostate cancer as well as predicting future prognosis. The study will run over a two to three-year period.
Rechtin, a father of five married children, currently resides in Palos Verdes. Prior to coming to USC, he was the president and CEO of the Aerospace Corporation from 1977-1987.
Fincke Bequest to Create Laboratory Suites
The USC/Norris is the recipient of a bequest from the estate of Helen C. Fincke. The gift of $1,957,717 will be used to create the Helen C. Fincke and Eleanor Bigler Laboratory suites in the Harlyne J. Norris Research Tower. In addition, the phlebotomy laboratory in the Topping Tower will bear their names. Both Fincke and Bigler died of breast cancer.
Fincke and her sister Eleanor Bigler were graduates of USC. Fincke was a junior high school art teacher in Los Angeles. Her nephew and executor, John Bigler, recalls that his aunt, who painted for her own enjoyment, had produced more than 300 paintings during her lifetime.
Fincke's bequests to the USC/Norris, made in memory of her sister Helen Bigler, have totaled more than $2.5 million.
"Giving a Lift" to Norris Patients (PHOTO)
The family and friends of Kazuo Kanemitsu have purchased seven new wheelchairs in his memory to be used by USC/Norris patients.
The members of the Kanemitsu family visited the USC/Norris and placed an inscribed brass plaque on each chair. The inscription reads, "Giving You a Lift" In Honor of Kazuo Kanemitsu from His Family and Friends.
Kanemitsu was president of TMC, a professional gardening equipment distributor in Rosemead, Calif. He was treated for colon cancer at the USC/Norris and is survived by his wife, Fumiko, a daughter, Linda Sakuda, her husband, two sons, Earl and Dean, their wives and five grandchildren.
8TH Annual Scott Parker Golf Classic (PHOTO)
More than 120 players participated in the 8th Annual Scott Parker Golf Classic. The tournament was August 27, 2001 at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks.
The event is in memory of Scott D. Parker, son of Ron and Jodi Parker (pictured above), who was a USC sophomore when diagnosed with a malignant sinus tumor. He died in 1990 after a two-year battle with cancer. Over the years, the Scott Parker Fund has contributed more than $1 million to cancer research at the USC/Norris.
El Cholo
The USC/Norris returns to El Cholo in Pasadena for the 2nd Annual Night of Fun and Refreshments on October 15, 2001.
Director of Development Bill Watson says that the event allows friends and supporters of the USC/Norris an opportunity to celebrate the part they play in the success of the Cancer Center. Guests will be able to sample a variety of authentic Mexican hors d'oeuvres and drinks while talking to numerous researchers about the accomplishments of the USC/Norris. For information call Sondra Malatesta, USC/Norris Development, (323) 865-0700.
Munoz Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Pancreatic Cancer
Over the last three years the Augustine L. Munoz Golf Tournament has raised more than $50,000 for pancreatic cancer research. This year's event, organized by Munoz's wife, Dolores, their son David and his wife, Kristin and special friends, was on July 13th at California Country Club in Whittier.
More than 200 people enjoyed a full day of golf followed by a silent auction. The Munoz family established the Augustine L. Munoz Cancer Research Fund in memory of Munoz who was treated at the USC/Norris.
Benefit for David Ian Sheldon Fund
The 4th Annual Benefit for the David Ian Sheldon Memorial Fund was Saturday, September 15. The Cohen, Sheldon and Tanner families created the fund in 1997 with the assistance of Angels West, a non-profit charity organization of the USC/Norris. Originally the fund was established to support the bone marrow transplant research of Dan Douer, M.D., who was Sheldon's doctor, friend and advocate. Currently, the more than $35,000 raised has funded research equipment at the USC/Norris.
Angels West Flying High
During the past year, members of Angels West have contributed nearly $100,000 to the USC/Norris to support cancer research. Their funds are provided through sales of entertainment books, See's Candies, gifts as memorials or tributes and other year-round activities.
For information about Angels West opportunities and membership, visit their Web site at www.angelswestcancerresearch.org.
- Angels West Honor Roll
- $100-999
- Helene & Ernie Adelson
- Hilda & Sam Barjam
- Shirley & Nat Berman
- Raquel Bernstein
- Dorothy & Larry Bliss
- Naomi Bowman
- Isabel Carson
- Marsha & Len Cohen
- Inger & Stanley Colton
- Lurlyne Conhaim
- Rhoda & Norman Coodin
- Natalie & Bernard Diamond
- Lillian Dinsfriend
- Anita & Dr. Herb Drapkin
- Esther & Leonard Elgenson
- Daryle Enterline
- Rosalie & Donald Gilford
- Ruth & Hal Glucksman
- Florence & Sam Goldstein
- Lorraine & Chuck Harris
- Hal Gottlieb
- Irene & Paul Graff
- Florence & Lou Gurevitch
- Gladys & Sid Guttell
- Carol Hillman
- Andy & Art Harris
- Grace & Ronald Koretz
- Helen & Bernard Levy
- Janice Olsen
- Christina Mack
- Judy & Chris Milne
- Norma & Max Paster
- Marlene & Michael Rapkin
- Nery & Joe Ronell
- Hannah & Meyer Rome
- Ruth Ross
- Elizabeth & Marshall Ryder
- Babe & Bill Safier
- Nancy & Noah Saxe
- Shirley & Sid Schalman
- Bess & Gustave Schwartz
- Debby Schwartz
- Joan & Bert Sherwood
- Shirley & Ray Sherwood
- Nancy & Noah Saxe
- Bob Sheldon
- Norma & Bernie Sklar
- Dorothy & Al Sokol
- Maury Starr
- Diane Steinberg
- Marsha & Michael Wachtell
- Lou Weger
- Lynn & Sid Weger
- $1000 - $10,000
- Rudy Corber
- Gloria & Bob Fellerman
- Ann & Denne Goldstein
- Roberta & Jack Grabell
- Shannon & Jay Handelsman
- Doraye & Jack Hassan
- Marshy & Ray Hernacki
- Dorothy & Dan Levy
- Laura Mamber
- Marion & Bob Mandeson
- Lillian Moss
- Alice & Melville Nahin
- Harleen & Sid Pazoff
- Delia Rangel
- Linda & Howard Rosenberg
- Pearl & Jack Schultz
- Milly & Phil Torf
- $10,000 plus
- Irene & Milt Golden
- Dorie & Bob Satin
- David Ian Sheldon
Levine Named Among "Women in Action"
The Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) honored "Women of Action," on August 8, 2001, including clean-water crusader Erin Brockovitch and Alexandra Levine, M.D., Keck School of Medicine of USC professor of medicine and medical director of the USC/Norris Cancer Center.
Levine, an expert in hematological cancers and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of HIV-associated lymphomas, has been, and remains, the most visible USC presence on the national level in the fight against AIDS, having been appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1995 to the Presidential HIV/AIDS Advisory Council.
In that capacity, she has helped advise policy-makers at the highest level of the federal government on AIDS education, treatment, prevention and research. She recently met with the new Bush Administration's Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, to discuss the future of U.S. AIDS policy.
The luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel was designed to celebrate women who serve as leaders in their respective fields.