[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 128 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2026-E2027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2006

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the H. Lee 
Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute as it marks its 20th 
anniversary of work to treat patients with cancer and to conduct 
cutting edge research into the causes and cures of this terrible 
disease.
  The Center was established through the vision and tireless work of H. 
Lee Moffitt, then a member of the Florida House of Representatives. As 
a cancer survivor himself, he recognized the unmet need for cancer 
treatment and research in the Tampa Bay area and the entire state of 
Florida. Five years of hard work by Lee Moffitt to secure the funding 
for the center led to its groundbreaking in 1983 and the first patient 
walked through its doors three-and-a-half years later. That patient, 
David Sheppard, is alive today as a result of the care he received at 
Moffitt in October 1986.
  Today, a staff of more than 3,400 people continues to save lives 
every day and supports research that one day will unlock the mystery of 
this disease. They are led by Dr. William S. Dalton, the CEO and Center 
Director, and Dr. W. Jack Pledger, the Deputy Center Director, who 
oversee a world class team that collaborates on research projects with 
facilities all across the world. They receive invaluable support from 
the Board of Directors and its Chairman Senator Connie Mack and the 
Board of Advisors and its Chairman Sam Donaldson.
  Moffitt's stated mission is ``To be the leader in scientific 
discovery and translation into compassionate care, cures, and 
prevention of cancer for our community and the world.'' The center 
does that by offering 14 patient care programs in a facility designated 
a prestigious Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer 
Institute.

  The center, now almost five times the size of the original facility, 
also houses state-of-the-art labs that allow researchers to delve into 
the science of cancer, right down to the genomic level. As a result, 
the doctors and staff are learning to treat cancer on a patient-by-
patient basis by determining the best course of treatment for each 
patient based on their genetic makeup.
  The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute is not only a 
superb medical

[[Page E2027]]

resource for the community I represent, but it is truly a national and 
international asset in our ongoing war on cancer. Following my remarks, 
I would like to include for the benefit of my colleagues, a recent 
column by Ernest Hooper of The St. Petersburg Times which talks about 
the early days at Moffitt and the life-changing experience of its first 
patient David Sheppard.
  Mr. Speaker, The Moffitt Cancer Center is an outstanding example of a 
public and private partnership that serves all of mankind. Its staff 
battles cancer and saves lives every day and for that thousands of 
cancer survivors are eternally grateful. Thousands if not millions more 
will one day also benefit from the ongoing research activities there as 
they identify new cures and one day preventative medicine that will 
fight the scourge of cancer.

             [From the St. Petersburg Times, Oct. 30, 2006]

                        20 Good Years of Moffitt

                           (By Ernest Hooper)

       The restless night is still fresh in David Sheppard's mind.
       The difficulties of his rare bone marrow blood disease grew 
     more intense. His doctors had scheduled him for admission to 
     the hospital that afternoon, but because he became more ill 
     overnight, they told him to rush over that morning.
       They didn't send him to just any hospital, however. They 
     sent him to a bright, new treatment facility. It seemed more 
     like a mall, Sheppard said. It didn't have any antiseptic, 
     medicinal odors.
       ``It was this big, beautiful place,'' Sheppard recalled 
     Friday. ``It was nice to have this nice, new facility.''
       That's how Sheppard, husband, father and Wharton High 
     assistant principal, became the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center 
     & Research Institute's first patient on Oct. 27, 1986.
       Sheppard and Julie Y. Djeu, Moffitt's first researcher, 
     were scheduled to join employees in a 20th anniversary 
     celebration Saturday night at Saddlebrook Resort. The 
     center's first physician, Dr. Richard Karl, was not able to 
     attend, but recognizing some of the center's firsts was a 
     neat way to commemorate the anniversary.
       For Sheppard, it was an opportunity to show his 
     appreciation. He raves about the helpful and kind Moffitt 
     staff.
       ``I'm very grateful that they were there 20 years, ago,'' 
     he said. ``A lot of people have received good treatment 
     there. I was just the first one to walk through the door.'' 
     Sheppard, who graduated from King High, told Moffitt 
     officials he ``wouldn't be here today without the lifesaving 
     care I got that very first day.'' He actually continued to 
     get treatment from a Moffitt oncologist and hematologist 
     after that first visit.
       In a sense, he gives back as a 13-year school district 
     veteran.
       Sheppard is pleased to help shepherd the lives of our young 
     people. Over the years, he's even dealt with some students 
     who were facing their own battles with cancer. Sheppard said 
     he doesn't necessarily offer any specific counsel or share 
     his story, but he certainly listens with a sympathetic ear.
       ``I had done some tutoring and I just decided to stick with 
     it,'' Sheppard said. ``I also was looking at options for 
     careers that I might be able to handle because of my disease. 
     I couldn't consider being a Navy pilot or a firefighter.''
       Maybe he didn't turn into a Top Gun fighter, but Sheppard 
     still is flying high. After all, if it wasn't for Moffitt, he 
     might not be celebrating turning 37 today.
       Happy Birthday, David Sheppard. Happy Birthday, Moffitt.
       That's all I'm saying.

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