Norris News

John Argue Leukemia Research Fund

John C. Argue, founding chair of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, chair of the USC Board of Trustees, and a founding member of the Keck School Board of Overseers, died Aug. 10, of leukemia. He was 70.
Argue, who divided his time between the business and nonprofit worlds, was a retired senior partner of the Los Angeles law firm of Argue Pearson Harbison & Myers.


Keck School Dean Stephen Ryan said, "During his long battle with leukemia at USC/Norris, John showed incredible courage and a most positive attitude. He and his family inspired all of us. John, his wife, Liz, and his other family members developed close relationships-beyond the patient-physician relationship-with his physician, Anne Mohrbacher, and the entire Norris team.


"Liz Argue established one mechanism to remember her husband: the John C. Argue Leukemia Research Fund at USC/Norris. I believe that John would want us to continue this battle and ultimately beat leukemia. I have confidence that our faculty colleagues at USC/Norris will play a key role in leading the battle against this terrible disease."
Argue is survived by his wife, Liz, of La Cañada-Flintridge; his son, John M. Argue, and John's wife, Julie, and their children, Jack and Dillan; and his daughter, Betsy Pollon, and her husband, Joe, and their children, Megan and Nathan.

Mesothelioma Research Funded


Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs, heart and stomach linked to contact with asbestos, has an average survival time of about 18 months from diagnosis. Through generous funding from Jerry and Elizabeth Paul and the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, USC/Norris oncologist Parkash Gill, M.D., and his research group are developing targeted therapeutics with the hope of improving the treatment outcome in this disease.


The Foundation was established by the joint effort of Jerry Neil Paul, his wife Elizabeth, Pipefitters Local 230 officer and executive director of the Foundation Steve Vealey and his wife Becky Mann, and U.A. International Representative of the Pipefitters for California and Hawaii Pipe Trades Jim Kellogg. Their members are the largest single group of men and women who develop this disease because of their past contact with asbestos. "The Foundation is committed to a plan of annual giving at the same or higher levels to support Dr. Gill and our Mesothelioma Laboratory," said Jerry Neil Paul. The Pauls have made a personal commitment of $100,000 to $200,000 per year over the next 25 years, with additional annual support from the Foundation.

Pembrokes Fund Lung Cancer Research Equipment
Conya and Wallace Pembroke have endowed three major pieces of equipment: a -80 degree Celsius freezer to store patient serum samples, a gel dryer used in the study of the regulation of genes and an AKTA PRIME used for protein purification. Brass-inscribed plaques have been placed on the equipment that is so critical to the lung cancer research program of Ite Laird-Offringa, Ph.D., who refers to her lab as "Casa Pembroke."

Fairfield Martindale Gift Funds Prostate Cancer Research
With an initial gift of $50,000, the Fairfield Martindale Foundation established the Sally and Stephen Keller Fund for Prostate Cancer Research. The gift will benefit the programs of Gary Lieskovsky, M.D., and Jacek Pinski, Ph.D., who expressed gratitude to the Fairfield Martindale Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Keller for "supporting the vital research taking place at the USC/Norris by playing an important role in helping find a cure for prostate cancer."

Corporate Advisory Network (CAN) Appointments
Jerry Hollander, Ted Leventhal, Bill Ovca and Mike Mooney were appointed to the Corporate Advisory Network of the USC/Norris Cancer Center. They were chosen for their business acumen and their ability to identify and inspire other corporate members to become passionate about eradicating cancer.
CAN is the new governing component of Corporate Partners, USC/Norris' corporate giving group, whose goal is to secure corporate funding for cancer research, treatment, prevention and education, and networking opportunities for its members.
For additional information about Corporate Partners, contact Paul Hosch at (323) 865-0700.
Petey Open establishes Peter Leimbach and Friends Cancer Research Fund
On May 31, 2002, the 120 golfers participating in the first Petey Open Golf Tournament kicked off the event by each hitting a ball into the lake in remembrance of cancer victims and in a salute to cancer survivors.
The day of golf was held at Aliso Viejo Golf Club in memory of Peter Leimbach, who lost his battle with cancer in 1999. Committee members Mike Crowell and Tom Roach, friends and family orchestrated the event, which raised more than $30,000 and established the Peter Leimbach and Friends Cancer Research Fund at the USC/Norris.
For more information about the 2nd Annual Petey Open, contact Mike Crowell at (714) 633-3050.

Cancer Recognition Day
Giving Tree Unveiling
On Cancer Recognition Day in March 2002, donors made gifts of more than $35,000 for cancer research at USC/Norris in honor of a friend or family member who had been touched by the disease. More than 150 honorees' names were engraved onto the "Giving Tree," a large glass etching placed in the Norris Lobby and unveiled Sept. 26.

9th Annual Scott Parker Golf Classic
The Scott Parker Golf Classic on Sept. 9, 2002, at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, raised nearly $100,000 for prostate cancer research at USC/Norris. Special thanks to Ashworth Inc. for donating tee prizes. If you are interested in receiving an invitation for the 10th Annual Scott Parker Golf Classic, call Sondra Malatesta at (323) 865-0700.

Gridiron Glamour
The USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has been chosen as the national recipient of funds raised at the annual Gridiron Glamour event. The NFL-recognized event will take place in San Diego on Jan. 25, 2003 and will include a luncheon and silent auction with a fashion show featuring a couture presentation modeled by NFL players and other professional athletes and entertainers.
To purchase a table, serve on the planning committee or donate items to the silent auction, call Sondra Malatesta at (323) 865-0700.