Huntington organization sponsors high school student at prestigious Fox Chase Cancer Center

submitted by HBCAC | 09/10/2007 10:57 AM

HUNTINGTON, NEW YORK - September 5, 2007 - The essential mission of the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition (HBCAC) has been to create accessible pathways of involvement. They have spent 17 years creating a network for breast health consumers consisting of educational resources, outreach programs and breast care experts. Working in partnership with local hospitals, medical offices, nutritional counselors and governmental agencies, the organization has expanded to become a nationally known public health advocacy group. Understanding the complexities of human growth and development, the organization offers cutting-edge activism – relentlessly pushing the political envelope towards policy reform and increased funding for scientific research and environmental health studies. In its seventh year, their Prevention Is The Cure (PITC) campaign has mobilized community minded people in a broad based “coalition of concern” to enact change for the generations to come. And now, with the development of a summer scholarship mentor program, the future is present.

Through PITC, the organization’s environmental and primary prevention component, the Students & Scientists Environmental Research Program has proudly launched. Following the model of a highly successful grassroots scholarship program for high school students created by the Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition, the Students & Scientists Environmental Research Program made its maiden voyage this summer. “The coalition’s platform For Our Daughters provides a place for discovery, awareness and the exchange of ideas regarding our health,” says founder Karen Joy Miller. “The Students & Scientists Environmental Research Program is a shining example and the realization of this critical philosophy.”

Having spent many years as a health advocate with a particular interest in breast cancer, Ms. Miller has forged relationships with many nationally known and esteemed cancer researchers. When she approached husband and wife research team, Dr.’s Jose & Irma Russo of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia with the research program concept, the answer was clear. “The Students & Scientists program is a wonderful opportunity for the students and for the scientists”, says Julia Pereira, a Fox Chase researcher, who acted as a mentor and student liaison in the program. “As scientists we have a great opportunity to show our passion, share our knowledge and hopefully increase interest in sciences. The high school students have a chance to see real life inside a laboratory – how research is done, why scientists don’t have all the answers and to help see past stereotypes.”

Fox Chase Cancer Center was formed in 1974 and is one of the nation’s first comprehensive cancer centers. Research is conducted in more than 80 laboratories by a staff of more than 325 physicians and scientists. About 170 clinical trials of new prevention, diagnostic and treatment techniques are under way at any one time with almost 800 new patients a year participating in treatment studies.

With a Nobel Prize winning research facility ready to host a 4 week full hands-on breast cancer laboratory research internship, the search for the perfect student began. A key player in the fast tracking of this unique program was the administration of Walt Whitman High School. “Whitman has significantly expanded its Science Research Program in recent years. One of the program goals is to further establish relationships with local organizations, educational institutions and laboratories in an effort to provide our students with interesting and comprehensive research experiences,” says Walt Whitman principal, James Polansky. “Upon speaking to Karen Miller, it quickly became apparent that she could facilitate a valuable summer opportunity through the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition for a particularly interested and motivated Whitman student.” That student was outstanding Whitman junior, Tehreem Rehman.

“I had initially learned about the internship through my science teacher. I have had a passion for science since I was about eleven years old and throughout high school was always eager to get hands on experience in a laboratory setting,” comments Ms. Rehman, who worked daily during the month long program in a Fox Chase laboratory supervised by two staff mentors. “What was especially appealing about this particular program was that the internship would enable me to assist in an experiment investigating a common pollutant and its effect on the development of breast cancer. I have always felt the reason behind rising rates of cancer was somehow interrelated with the environment and getting the opportunity to aid in research that coincided with my own personal beliefs was truly phenomenal” she proudly explained.
In keeping with the overall arching philosophy of HBCAC and its PITC platform, this outstanding program encourages participants at every level to make important contributions with great results. Research institutions have tremendous resources to generate a compelling interest in science for students. Broadening access to hands-on science is a gift such programs can give to diverse student populations and can strengthen scientific literacy. Of particular interest to grassroots groups such as HBCAC is the authentic connection to the scientists such a program provides and how it demonstrates the importance of research as an essential part of science education. Giving students an opportunity to get excited about science – to experience how science matters and the differences environmental research can make furthers our message in real time to the all important “next generation”.

“I learned more than I would have ever expected in my fours weeks at Fox Chase” says Ms. Rehman. “I realized that it is truly imperative for our nation to encourage more students to pursue a career in science research. And most importantly, I became so much more aware about the suspected causes of breast cancer and the extent of the detrimental effects of the pollutants in our environment.”
Ms. Rehman put the knowledge and experience she gained at the Fox Chase Cancer Center into an 18 page PowerPoint presentation which was presented to the laboratory staff on her final day in the program. She also conducted an in-depth personal interview with her mentors, renowned cancer researchers, Dr.’s Jose and Irma Russo. “This summer, Tehreem pursued her interests and it seems that she clearly enjoyed the experience” says Mr. Polansky. “We are hoping that this is a harbinger of additional opportunities for Whitman Research students within a rapidly growing program. I’d like to thank Karen and HBCAC for making Tehreem’s summer experience possible.