We Are The Cure

Depending on what statistics you read, there are anywhere from 25 to 45 million dogs owners in the US.  Many people have more than one dog which is why those same statistics say there are anywhere from 45 to 65 million dogs in the US.

Being part of a non profit organization that funds canine Cancer research, stats like that get me both excited and frustrated.  I wish I could cosmically speak into every one of these dog owners and tell them to send $10 per year to help fund canine Cancer research.  With 25 to 45 million dog owners that would be $250 to $450 million dollars toward canine Cancer research each year.

If we received funds like that we would have a cure for canine Cancer.  Now, before you say that it would be better used to fund human Cancer research, let me share a few things with you.

The most important is that in 2004, the National Institute of Health (NIH) an organization mainly dealing with research on diseases affecting humans spent $32 million to map the entire genome of the dog.  They actually used a Boxer because Boxers like some other breeds such as Goldens, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Flat Coated Retrievers seem to be more affected by Cancer.  By more effected, 75% of dogs from these breeds will get Cancer as opposed to 1 out of every 4 dogs will get Cancer.  Either way, it is bad for all dogs.

So why did the NIH spend $32 million to map the genome of the dog?  Because they believe that the cures for Cancer in humans will come through Cancer research in dogs.  You see when researchers use rats and mice, normally they inject a tumor under the skin and then try to treat it but dogs actually get the Cancer just like humans.  This makes the research more productive.  Also since a dog’s life span is so much shorter, researchers can study the Cancer from start to finish.  Now I assure you that there are no researchers that are giving Cancer to dogs to study the progression.  They do not have to because there are enough dogs suffering with Cancer and owners that are willing to help. 

Additionally, most research in Cancer for dogs will translate to Cancer research in humans.  For example if a certain gene was discovered to lead to a certain type of Cancer in a dog, this will give researchers a road map of sorts into where to look for the similar gene in humans. 

The dog is one of the greatest gifts to us humans and to many people their dog is their only friend.  And now our dogs are going to come and help save our lives by fighting Cancer.

Here is another interesting insight into canine Cancer research versus human Cancer research. Normally, researchers dealing with human Cancer research in the early stages of their research are very reluctant to share their studies with other researchers.  Why?  Because there is very big money involved for those scientists who grab the brass ring first.  This means that there are many researchers working on the exact same thing in human research and often times they may be able to help each other if they were to only share their work.

I have found that in canine Cancer research that most researchers openly share with their peers.  It seems everyone openly works together for the common cause of finding cures for canine Cancer. This moves the research ahead at a much faster pace. 

Let’s put this into perspective in another way.  Right now $500 million dollars is being spent annually on human Cancer research.  That is ½ a billion dollars.  Only about $5 to $10 million dollars is being spent on canine Cancer research.  One can only imagine if we had as much money as human Cancer researchers have to spend on canine Cancer research.  I can tell you with the way the researchers work together we would have a cure for Cancer in dogs. 

Well, I believe that we can have that much money for research.  If every dog owner would give $10 to $20 a year this would give us the $500 million for canine Cancer research.  Now do you see why I would love to just cosmically whisper into every dog owners ear “Send $20 to canine Cancer research”.  It is why we made the NCCF’s mission statement “If we all work together, WE are the cure.”

I NCCF have been trying to reach every dog owner, but I can’t do it alone.  But maybe if everyone reading this blog were to tell everyone one they know with a dog to send money that would help.  Yes, we would like it if you sent it to the National Canine Cancer Foundation at www.wearethecure.org but we also believe in our motto “If we all work together, We Are The Cure.  So if you want to send it to another research organization then it is still part of the overall picture of working together for a cure.

By the way there are many ways to help your dog and help canine Cancer research besides sending money.  There are a lot of clinical trials that are looking for dogs to participate, so please check with your local Vet Oncologist.  Additionally, if you are going to lose your dog to cancer, you can ask your Vet to send the tumor to researchers.  Many researchers, especially those dealing with gene studies, can use the specimens.  And it is a way for your dog to continue the fight for a cure.  It’s what we did with Duncan and though we still feel the pain of his loss, we do know it’s not in vain; he lives on in research to fight the Cancer that consumed him at the age of 6.  If you contact us at the NCCF, we can give you the instructions on how to do this.

After my wife Sara read my post she reminded me of our last day with Duncan and how much he then and still is helping us to find a cure for cancer.  Here is her story.

Today, a friend of ours called to say she was sorry to hear about our Duncan dog passing away. It’s been almost 6 weeks since we lost him. She wanted to send an email, she meant to send a card, but alas, she wanted it to be more personal so she called.

As we talked about Dunc and just how young and how not fair it was, I started talking about what Duncan did to further cancer research. Shortly after he was diagnosed we entered him into a study that required blood samples from him. We also sent blood samples from as many relatives of his we could find. His sister, niece and 1/2 brother participated. As we searched for the right treatment, I reviewed all the Hemangio research out there and we decided to submit samples to two more studies.

Since we didn’t have the presence of mind to make sure samples of the tumor we took out were kept. We asked for the tumor that regrew to be submitted to these two studies, Dr. Modiano’s and Dr. Breen’s. So, on that day that we said goodbye, Duncan was very brave and patient while our vet searched for a vein that would yield blood samples. His blood pressure was so low, that it was very hard to find one. However, after the blood was taken, he picked up his head in search of the cookies that he knew he would get for being such a good boy. And we all gave him one, our vet, the tech, Gary and I and I cried of course.

It was one of the worst days. As I look back, I can tell you all the bad things that Cancer is and how unfair it is that he was lost so early. But what I would rather do is tell you that he fought the cancer as long as he could and then on his last day, he gave what he could to further the research. So, Duncan is fighting by our side still to get rid of canine cancer.

S

I happened to be the person who gets all the “Ask the Doctor” questions.  I then pass them onto our researchers and doctors to answer them.  I cannot tell you how heartbreaking it is to read some of those questions.   I can feel people’s heart ache and desperation of trying to find something that might save their dog that is dying of cancer.  Just from reading those emails I can see you holding your dog, loving them and crying hoping that something will save them.  I know this because I have done it so many times myself.

I find that with the past three dogs that Sara and I have lost in the past three years that there is that time when you look at them and they look at you and you know it is time.  And that is when you just break down in tears, you hug your dog for dear life and you just pray please God don’t take my beautiful dog.  Please help me find a way.

Just today I had someone call me about a memorial card they got and they were fine until they mentioned their dog’s name and they just cried.  Another time, I got a call from a person who had sent a question to me about their sick dog and later on he sent, not one but, a few donations in honor of his dog that was fighting cancer.  Then one day, I got a call from him.  He simply said “I wanted to call to let you know my dog passed away today”.   I was so touched that he took to time to call me and let me know.  We both cried.  

I thought about sharing some of the questions ask, in this blog, but thought, no I don’t want to make everyone who reads this feel bad.  Instead I want to try and give you hope.   Hope that we will have new cures and treatments.  For example, if you get a chance to listen to our podcast interview with Dr. Michael Kent.  You will hear some very exciting news about Canine Lymphoma.  And if you get a chance to read the article on our site entitled “The Road from Hope to Despair” by Dr. Jamie Modiano you will see the things are truly moving forward in canine cancer research. There is also the hope that some dogs are living years with cancer and beating all odds.

I know that a lot of what you will hear and read will not help your dogs right now but in the next five years, I believe you will see more and more dogs being saved from cancer.  Sometimes, I say to myself, so what in five years, I want my Bailey, Ashby and Duncan back.  They were too young.  It is just not fair. 

And it isn’t fair.  But it also isn’t fair for me to give up or any of us to give up.  It isn’t fair to all the dogs that will get cancer.

And that is why Sara and I and all of us at the National Canine Cancer Foundation continue to do what we do.  In memory of our dogs and all of your dogs who have lost the battle against cancer and for all the dogs that will get cancer.

Gary

Dr. Michael Kent was awarded a research grant for a exciting new treatment for Canine Lymphoma. We discussed this research on the show.

It doesn’t matter if you lost a beloved pet from Cancer even if they were 12 or 15 years old. It hurts. They are still part of your family and you will miss them every day. But about a week ago I got a donation from a group of employees in memory of another employee who just lost their dog, Chatham to Cancer. Chatham was only 18 months old. And again although losing any aged dog is terrible, seeing Cancer take a dog that is still considered a puppy just breaks my heart.

When I look at the picture they sent of Chatham I see this happy pup full of energy and wanting to play. And, as a usual for a puppy, that is playing all day. Also when I see his picture I get angry. Angry that Cancer took his life. Then I get determined. Determined to find a cure.

I don’t even know what I can say to the owners of Chatham to ease their pain or stop the sorrow they feel when they enter the house and are not longer greeted by a bouncing, happy go lucky lab puppy.

I am sorry falls short in my opinion. I guess the most heartfelt would be “I am trying to make sure Chatham does not die in vain”