New JCCF Executive Director Named

JCCF welcomes new Executive Director Margaret Steele. Margaret's highly successful fundraising career spans 30 years with organizations including Carnegie Hall, MOCA and, most recently, Project Angel Food. She brings a profound commitment to our mission and is proud to lead the JCCF, partner with the Cancer Center's talented researchers, the JCCF Board, and our many generous donors and friends to advance cancer resesarch at UCLA.

Immunotherapy Targets Advanced Lung Cancer

In April, the results of a study led by JCCC physician-scientist Dr. Edward Garon, showed Keytruda, the same immunotherapy approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 for metastatic melanoma, to be safe and effective in arresting tumor growth in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Keytruda produced prolonged responses in 20 percent of patients with NSCLC. Garon said he is hopeful that these study findings will encourage the FDA to approve Keytruda for the treatment of this most common form of lung cancer. Read more here.

Fighting the Effects of "Chemo Brain"

 In a new study led by JCCC member and cancer survivorship expert Dr. Patricia Ganz, UCLA researchers developed a cognitive rehabilitation program to address the post-treatment challenge sometimes known as "chemo brain," faced by up to 35 percent of breast cancer patients. The study showed that women who received early intervention had significant improvement in cognitive complaints compared to those women in the delayed intervention group, and suggests that abnormal brain changes can be reversed with cognitive rehabilitation. Learn more.

Bubbles & Bites to Fight Cancer

Wally's Wine & Spirits' 23rd Annual Grande Marque Champagne Tasting was held June 7 at Le Petit Merigot in Santa Monica. Featuring more than 50 Grand Marque Champagnes and dishes from over 15 leading restaurants, this event raised $50,000 for beneficiaries, including the JCCC. Visit www.cancer.ucla.edu/friends to learn how you can actively support cancer research at UCLA.