Founder's Message
Loretta Phillips Stamos
Founder
Vanguard Cancer Foundation
Thirteen years ago, I held my brother’s hand as a doctor told him that his cancer was untreatable. As I think back to that moment, I realize just how many people would have accepted that diagnosis and given up. Thankfully, Jake knew better. He sought a second opinion from Dr. Robert Nagourney, a leader in assay directed therapy.
Dr. Nagourney was the first person to approach my brother as an individual, not just another cancer. He understood that every patient – and by extension, the cancer that patient battles – is unique. His unwavering belief that cancer should be treated on a personal basis rather than accepting average care built for the masses is the reason he has been able to help hundreds of patients when other doctors gave up.
Seeing Dr. Nagourney’s success, I vowed that all cancer patients – regardless of resources – should have the opportunity to benefit from assay directed therapy, just as my brother did. Thankfully, this is a mission I have not had to pursue on my own. Many other volunteers and contributors have stepped up and helped cancer patients take advantage of this life-saving treatment approach.
Maybe one day, we will live in a world in which assay directed therapy is considered a first line of treatment, saving valuable time, health and money in the process. Until then, the Vanguard Cancer Foundation will be here, empowering patients to take the fight against cancer into their own hands.
Loretta Phillips Stamos
Founder
Vanguard Cancer Foundation