In the News Archive

Bev Sodemann, 58, is living proof of how research brings hope to so many lives.

Pancreatic cancer was pushed to the forefront of the news last year when actor Patrick Swayze died from it. More than 35,000 other people in the United States also died from pancreatic cancer in 2009. 

In a decision that will benefit countless patients of Barnes-Jewish hospital, the auxiliaries of the former Barnes hospital and Jewish hospital, which have operated as separate chapters of the Barnes-Jewish hospital auxiliary since the hospitals merged in 1996, agreed in January 2010 to merge into one auxiliary.

On may 15, hundreds of generous ST. Louisans will “get their heads in the game” by joining host Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the Barnes-Jewish hospital foundation’s illumination10 gala to benefit the Alvin J. Siteman cancer center at Barnes-Jewish hospital and Washington university school of medicine.

Lloyd Kleine Harvey, 77, grew up in St. Louis with a big sycamore tree adorning his front yard. He loved that tree, from the flaky texture of the mottled bark to the wide, veined leaves. This fascination and appreciation of nature became the root of the artwork he creates today.

"Giving Back"
By Bill Koman, Director,
Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation Board

Will You Join Us at the Next Frontier in Cancer Care and Cure?

A Family Makes a Generous Choice When Help is Needed More than Ever

*Editor’s note: The donors featured in this article have requested anonymity.

They were a typical family, enjoying the fruits of life and their love for each other, when cancer struck.  

Six years ago at age 32, Becky Lorts found a lump in her left breast. She opted to fight her cancer with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to remove both breasts, and she came out clear.

When it comes to improving care for patients facing kidney, prostate or testicular cancer, Washington University and Siteman Cancer Center urologic surgeon R. Sherburne Figenshau, MD, thinks small — smaller incisions, smaller cuts and smaller amounts of time inside the body.

Because cancer runs in her family, 54-year-old Lisa Facer had always been diligent about getting annual mammograms. But in 2006, she missed her mammogram as she and her sister cared for her dying mother in Hawaii. In 2007, the company where she was a corporate bond trader was in turmoil — so she missed her mammogram again. In May 2008, Facer lost her job. So with time on her hands, she finally went for a mammogram. On D-Day – June 6 – she got the news she dreaded: breast cancer.