In Israel, the Israel Cancer Association (ICA) spearheads the fight against cancer on all fronts. Professor Ciechanover is one of hundreds of researchers to have received grants from the ICA.
By ISRAEL CANCER ASSOCIATIONIsrael Cancer Association(photo credit: Israel Cancer Association)
"Some odd years ago, as a young researcher and physician, I receivedassistance from the Israel Cancer Association fellowships, and I got anup close look at the significant work that the Association does inpromoting research, prevention, early detection, and improvingtreatment modalities for patients". Professor Aharon Ciechanover,Noble Prize winner, used these warm words to describe the contributionof the ICA to the fight against cancer and the organization's supportof his work as a young researcher.In Israel, the Israel CancerAssociation (ICA) spearheads the fight against cancer on all fronts.Professor Ciechanover is one of hundreds of researchers to havereceived grants from the ICA. Great resources are dedicated every yearby the ICA to research scientists from 38 research institutes andtreatment centers throughout Israel. The Research Committee comprisedof the top scientists and physicians, selects outstanding researchproposals. The cost of investing in research is relatively low inIsrael and produces results that have a global impact. Every advancein scientific knowledge, like a piece in a vast puzzle, brings us onestep closer to completing the picture. Today's research is tomorrow'streatment and investment in research knows no territorial boundaries,as the resulting treatments and cures benefit humanity.TheIsrael Cancer Association (ICA) was founded in 1952. More than 50 yearsof involvement and a proud record of achievement have earned the ICAwidespread recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a primeleader in the fight against cancer. According to Miri Ziv, DirectorGeneral of the Israel Cancer Association, the ICA set its goal toreduce the mortality and morbidity rates of cancer by waging anencompassing fight: by promoting research, prevention and early detection, improved methods of treatment and rehabilitation and quality of life. Qualityof life has become more and more important, in view of the increasingcancer survival rates. The ICA focuses on the possibilities of earlydetection of prevalent cancers, such as: breast cancer, colorectalcancer, skin cancer and cervical cancer that may be prevented ordiagnosed at early stages, thus enabling higher cure rates. As aresult of improved detection rates survival rates have also improved,and there is a declining trend in the mortality rates of some cancerdiseases (based on the National Cancer Registry Project reports).TheICA is also there for the patients who cope with cancer. Leonid (17)was only 13 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Since thenhe has been confronting the disease: not only by coping with the longand painful therapy procedures but also by trying to keep up withschool studies "Ariela, (the ICA's social worker- T.D) called and askedif we want a tutor for this year, if we need help with school, and shesaid she could also assign my brother a tutor if he needs one,"indicates Leonid. His mother adds: "I was with Leonid when he washospitalized, for a long time, for many days, and my little son wasalone at home. And the ICA helped me; they assigned a tutor to help himwith his homework. The Association is like a family, like a realfamily, since they know what a long, hard, road we've been through, andthey've helped us all the way." Apparently the investment in thefuture of a child, provides him and his family the strength to cope.Leonid's story is only one example of many. In addition to the "Hope for Life"program in which the ICA provides children suffering from cancer andtheir families with a tutor to keep up with school studies, and alsopurchases computers that enable these children to keep in touch withtheir schools and enjoy games and activities, even when confined to abed. There are various programs, which are tailored especially forchildren, such as: the "Family Vacation Camp"project with a range of activities and experiences that offer the childand all his family a welcome break from tense medical routines; "Give Kids the World"program takes kids with advanced cancer and their families to thespecial Orlando Children Village in the USA for what is often theirlast happy time together as a whole family; The "Embarking on Life"project is aimed at patients in their early 20s- too old for childrenprograms but still too young for adult programs, These young adultsstart their independent life at a very problematic starting point.Embarking on Life offers recreational trips and dedicated supportgroups, while training these young adults for future work with otheryoung cancer patients.Not too many people know, but Israel isa goldmine for studying cancer genetics. A consortium of Israeligeneticists sponsored by the ICA focuses on BRCA 1/2 mutations relevantto breast and ovarian cancer. This effort, for example, resulted in areport published in the prestigious American National Academy ofScience.The ICA has been investing many resources in the fight against breast cancerand conducts numerous activities to heighten woman's awareness of theimportance of early detection of breast cancer. Israel has the highestscreening mammography rates in comparison to European countries (basedon World Health Organization data). The ICA has initiated the purchaseof a mobile mammography unit 'Michal',and subsidizes its activity and special logistics. As a result of thisproject, the compliance rates among women residing in remote towns(e.g. in the periphery) have increased, as well as among women fromdiverse population sectors (e.g. Arab women, new immigrants, and womenof a low socio-economic status.)Furthermore, the ICA constantly seeks ways to improve cancer treatment and medical care.The ICA funds professional posts in medical centers and communitiesthroughout Israel and delivers professional training formultidisciplinary staff : oncology nurses and social workers andpsychologists for adults and children; coordinators (nurses and socialworkers) for breast cancer care who provide counseling, instruction andsupport, and help women make critical decisions; colostomy specialistnurses for post-operative colostomy patients; speech therapists forpatients following laryngectomy; dieticians, psychologists and more.Due to the ICA's endless efforts hospital wards have been renovated and state-of-the-art medical equipment is continuously purchased. In addition, ICA supports cancer patients throughout their ordeal and strives to ensure their rights. The ICA's rehabilitation and welfare programsare provided to patients and their families, in order to improvepatients' quality of life and to offer a wide range of specialactivities. The ICA's wide range of rehabilitation and welfare programsinclude supportive home care by trained medical teams, and financialassistance for the families of needy cancer patients. The ICAinitiated the establishment of the very first hospice and assists inrunning home hospices throughout Israel. Welfare and support centershave also been established for survivors, and the list goes on and on….--------------------------------The ICA, like the country itself, owes its success entirely to the efforts of dedicated volunteers,both in Israel and abroad, who devote themselves to their work with adetermined single-mindedness of purpose. As a matter of fact, the ICAwas awarded the Presidential Award for Outstanding VolunteerOrganization during Israel's Jubilee celebrations. TheICA is Israel's largest, most prestigious and reliable nationalvolunteer organization, reaching every sector of the population -Jewish and Arab, children and adults, women and men. The ICA activitiesare funded solely by private contributions making each donation evenmore crucial. The ICA works in collaboration with the healthauthorities but is financially independent. This independence enablesthe ICA to operate according to strictly professional criteria, whilemaintaining a global and national perspective and vision. The ICA isproud of the fact that its administrative expenses constitute less than9% of the ICA budget. Your donation can save lives in Israel – and all over the world! Everycontribution you make to ICA promotes the fight against cancer. Alldonations, earmarked for research, buildings, equipment etc., aretransferred in full with no overhead costs.Donation link: http://cancer.org.il/english/default.asp?textSearch=&maincat=26&catid=607This is a sponsored article. The article should not be considered as advice.
