Bone Cancer Research Legacy Established Just In Time For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
DENVER, Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The understudied field of limb-loss prevention made a huge leap last month, one that promises to change the future for both pet and human patients facing bone cancer and severe traumas. The Limb Preservation Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals in limb- and life-threatening situations caused by trauma, tumor or infection, announced the appointment of Dr. Nicole Ehrhart to Colorado State University's Ross M. Wilkins, M.D. Limb Preservation University Chair in Musculoskeletal Biology and Oncology. The announcement brings hope at an appropriate time, as September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
The Chair position, the first of its kind, is committed to continuing a distinctive legacy of limb-sparing cancer discoveries benefiting pet and human patients. Dr. Ehrhart, a CSU veterinarian, will lead the research committed to these unique patients. She has dedicated her career to saving the limbs and lives of trauma victims and cancer patients.
The Limb Preservation Foundation and CSU's Animal Cancer Center joined efforts in the 1980's and together developed limb-sparing techniques that have become a standard of care for pets and people with bone cancer.
Research funded by The Limb Preservation Foundation in its 28-year history has increased the survival rate of pediatric bone cancer patients from 60 percent to 94 percent.
"While we have made many strides over the past 30 years, I envision a day when doctors can tell a bone cancer patient with complete assurance that they will be cured," said Dr. Wilkins, president and founder of The Limb Preservation Foundation.
One of those lives impacted by the ground-breaking research at CSU is 17-year-old Luke Kuettel, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
"When I was diagnosed I was worried about losing my leg. Then, Dr. Wilkins told me they would have no problem replacing my bone with a prosthetic. I was so grateful" remembers Luke, who is now healthy and in remission.
The Ross M. Wilkins Limb Preservation Chair is dedicated to creating hope, help and possibilities for patients facing bone cancer, as well as traumatic injuries and severe infections. This permanent chair position will ensure that the legacy of life-changing and life-saving research in the area of limb-preservation will continue, forever.
Media Contact:
Emily Williams
The Limb Preservation Foundation
303. 429. 0688
[email protected]
www.limbpreservation.org
SOURCE The Limb Preservation Foundation
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