John Kanzius
A while back I posted about the death of John Kanzius, a fellow from my old stomping grounds (Pennsylvania) who was working with one of Jim’s doctors on a cancer-fighting machine.
Today, I got an e-mail from the Erie Times-News about Mr. Kanzius — and what’s happening with his research. Thought you might be interested.
————
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Carrying on Kanzius’ fight
That John Kanzius’ fight against cancer now carries on without him is a stark reminder of the awful and implacable power of his target.
That hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects during the calling hours after his February death speaks volumes about how the man and his mission captured the hopes and respect of his hometown.
Kanzius’ ingenuity and passion for seeing the project through, even while slowly losing his personal battle against the disease, have created a sense of determination and obligation that outlives him.
There’s a lot more to do, and a lot more money will be needed to do it. And there would be no more fitting tribute to the man and his work than to make sure his drive to kill cancer with radio waves continues without pause.
Erie Times-News health reporter David Bruce is doing his part by continuing to track and report on the progress of those efforts. Following is Bruce’s take on where things stand as the key people around Kanzius adjust to carrying on without him.
John Kanzius died about two months ago.
But work on his cancer-killing device continues at research laboratories in Houston and Pittsburgh.
“We’re working on many different cancer types – liver, colon and pancreas,” said Steven Curley, M.D., principal researcher at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. “We’re also working on prostate cancer, breast cancer and leukemia cancer lines.”
Curley, a surgical oncologist, has taken on additional responsibilities since Kanzius died Feb. 18 after a seven-year battle with a rare leukemia.
Curley has become the face of the project. He recently met with Arnold Palmer to discuss ways the golfing legend can raise money for further research.
Palmer, a longtime cancer research advocate, has said he is interested in Kanzius’ device.
Curley also is heading back to Washington, D.C., in May to meet again with U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials. The FDA must approve Kanzius’ device before it can be tested on humans.
Human trials on the device are expected to start by 2011, Curley said.
“What has happened is that people like myself and Charlie Rutkowski have stepped up to take care of a lot of these things without the benefit of John’s input,” Curley said.
Rutkowski is one of the owners of Industrial Sales and Manufacturing Inc., a Millcreek Township business that helps build Kanzius’ devices.
Curley and Rutkowski aren’t the only ones who have stepped up in recent weeks.
Donations to the Jon Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation have increased since Kanzius’ death.
The foundation has raised nearly $2 million for research at M.D. Anderson and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Center.
“Donations were very heavy right after the funeral, and they’ve been steady ever since,” said Maryann Yochim, foundation president.
The foundation is scheduling a second telethon in September to raise money for the project.
It will be broadcast Sept. 17 on WICU-TV and WSEE-TV (in Erie), and might also be carried on television stations in Pittsburgh, Orlando and Houston, said Pat Fetzner, a foundation board member.
But all the progress doesn’t lessen Curley’s anger and frustration at losing Kanzius, who became a close friend.
“I still miss John,” Curley said. “Driving home sometimes, I get an overwhelming sense of anger. Cancer claimed yet another outstanding individual.”
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Thank you for keeping us updated on the progress of Kanzius research. I really believe he found something. I didn’t know that MR. Kanzius passed away. I wish he would have been able to see his dream come true. Thanks again.