This @freep.com story by @kristenshamus.bsky.social with photos by Mandi Wright is amazing - and shows the power of decades of NIH-funded research at the University of Michigan & beyond, through the tale of a single #crc patient: www.freep.com/story/news/h... - ThreadSky

karagavin.bsky.social • 7 days ago

This @freep.com story by @kristenshamus.bsky.social with photos by Mandi Wright is amazing - and shows the power of decades of NIH-funded research at the University of Michigan & beyond, through the tale of a single #crc patient:
https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2025/03/02/colorectal-cancer-stage-4-elissa-robinson-mom/80019762007/

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karagavin.bsky.social•7 days ago

‪In the print edition (yes I still get one) the story dominates the front page, then jumps to a second section where it is given EIGHT full pages.

Plus the patient (who works at the Freep) has a front-page essay urging #coloncancer screening. ‬

karagavin.bsky.social•7 days ago

The story shows how basic & translational research can lead to clinical trials & FDA approval for a device made by a new company, then how a highly specialized team at an academic medical center can use that device to treat patients w/advanced disease.

This is why we need to #standupforscience2025

kristenshamus.bsky.social•7 days ago

Thank you, Kara. It’s hard to describe how much it meant to me to be trusted with a story of this enormity. Elissa is incredibly courageous, and Dr. Mishal Mendiratta-Lala and Prof. Zhen Xu were so gracious with their time and willingness to work with us. 1/2

kristenshamus.bsky.social•7 days ago

The promise of this technology is inestimable for people with cancer. If they can find a way to consistently elicit the abscopal response, the implications are enormous. But it’s going to take ongoing research — and federal funding for that research — to get there.

kristenshamus.bsky.social•7 days ago

Lastly, a PSA: If you’re 45 or older, ask your doctor to screen you for colon cancer.

As Elissa would say, “Check your colon.”

karagavin.bsky.social•7 days ago

I decided to write a “story behind the story” piece for my Substack to show how NIH funding (including indirect costs) and other support made this technology, and this patient’s treatment, possible: https://open.substack.com/pub/karagavin/p/this-is-how-its-supposed-to-be?r=39p7k&utm_medium=ios

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