From the Desk of Dr. Louis M. Weiner

This weekend was simply wonderful. On Saturday, Harriet and I joined the Lombardi-CBCC team for a 9.3 mile training walk in preparation for next weekend’s Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The team has been busily preparing for the Walk, and as of Saturday morning leads fundraising for the DC walk. Our team of more than 50 walkers has raised almost $131,000 to support the cause! Jeannie Mandelblatt has continued to be the fabulous Captain of our team, and I want to take this opportunity to thank her for her leadership. Last year, Lombardi finished second in the DC Walk and was one of the top Avon fundraising teams in the nation. Sounds like we are in for at least a repeat performance!

After the walk we were pretty sore, but ended up walking another three miles as we did some shopping in Georgetown. We “discovered” Luke’s Lobster Shack on Potomac Street; it is pricey, but if you must have a lobster roll you can get a tasty one there (p.s. – the soups are good too) and save the cost of a trip to Maine. On Sunday we had all of our kids, grandchildren and spouses in town to see Harriet’s work in a local gallery – a portrait of our daughter in law Sarah on her wedding day. Ella is beginning to walk and talk, and Isaac seems to have taken to his little cousin. I could not imagine a better day…

The work week that preceded the weekend was very busy, but productive. We had our second “Lunch with Lou” and it was very enjoyable. I certainly am learning a lot. However, not all of the spots were taken, so be sure to sign up for future lunches! My Thursday clinic was quite busy, highlighted by my young patient Richard, whose metastatic colon cancer has worsened a bit on regorafinib, a VEGF inhibitor. We are regrouping, considering another clinical trial or liver-directed therapy. His spirit is simply inspiring, and is a poignant reminder of how much work we have before us.

I guess we are going to pay for two gorgeous weekend days with a midweek deluge. It will make writing and reading grants and papers just a bit easier, since the outdoors will not beckon for an evening stroll. Stay dry, and have a great week. And come out to cheer for the the Lombardi-CBCC team at the Avon Walk!

Greetings to all this holiday weekend, which features this abbreviated weekly blog. I have been busy all week at an overseas meeting, and look forward to returning on Monday with a fully scheduled week. I have been working on a new grant, and our breast cancer project is rounding into shape as we put together what we hope will be a high impact publication.

Whether you celebrate Easter, Passover, or neither holiday, I hope the weekend brings you peace and a sense of belonging and fulfillment.

What a beautiful weekend! We were busy with friends and family all weekend, which included a drive up to Philadelphia for our family seder to celebrate the first night of Passover on Monday. The work week was highlighted by the AACR meeting in San Diego; unfortunately I was pulled in so many directions that I missed Dick Schlegel’s symposium presentation about conditionally reprogrammed cell technology. I played catch up on Wednesday and was joined by Harriet at the N Street Village Gala as guests of our neighbors, one of whom sits on the board of that wonderful organization. Thursday’s clinic was rather busy, and Friday was highlighted by a very nice Visiting Professor lecture, followed by a productive Program Leaders’ meeting that focused on hematological malignancy research.

I am away for much of the coming week at a meeting, but expect to return on Thursday evening. I wish you a good week and happy holidays.