NET surgeons have new ally
NET surgery has a new ally. Part of my research yesterday involved watching a video of a newly developed surgical technique to remove neuroendocrine tumors using robotic arms. The technique does not require the major incisions standard surgery does. That means faster recovery times and less chance of complications. Less physical stress on the patient means we can open some other doors we have not been able to open safely to this point.
While the sound quality is not great in places, the video is fascinating to watch. It opens with an unrelated operation on the thymus, but even that is amazing to watch. I highly recommend you take a look at it.
Of course as I was watching it I had an attack of “If only…” syndrome.
NET/CFCF-WWJ Marathon Walk update
As I write this, our Caring for Carcinoid Walking with Jane team totals for the Marathon Walk include 11 team members recruited and $4,592.20 raised. That is less than 20 percent of the posted team goal–and less than 10 percent of the amount we would really like to reach.
The posted goal is for 25 members by game day–September 9–but I would really like to get that number to 50. Twelve people have told me they plan to walk with us, but have not yet registered.
Team Leaders
I currently lead he team in funds raised following this weekend’s mass e-mailing. On the board, I have $1,926.40. I hope to reach $2500 by the end of the week. My goal on the Walk website is $5000 but I would really like to get close to $10,000.
Elizabeth McNeil has been at the top of the CFCF-WWJ leader board for several weeks. We signed up at pretty much the same time. She has $1595.80 right now, which is good for second. She has eclipsed her original goal of $1500. Both her father and her brother were diagnosed with NET. Her father died of the disease in April, just 11 months after his diagnosis. Dr. Chan, Jane’s doctor, was her father’s oncologist.
Running third, at $350, is Jenaleigh Landers. Her goal is $1000.
Elizabeth’s total puts her in about 70th place overall and seventh among first time walkers. My total puts me about 54th. The first place individual overall is at $27,212. It currently takes just over $8000 to crack the top five and over $6500 to make the top ten.
NET Team Rankings–and more
Our team total puts us in the top 50 teams overall to this point. The other team we know about that is raising money for NET is Kulke’s Krewe, which is routinely in the top teams in terms of money raised. As of Friday, they were in 13th with $11,756.60.They raised a total of about $95,000 last year–and want to beat that number this year.
The top team overall has raised over $28,000 to this point. The top three are all over $20,000.
Bottom Line
I think I may be the only holdover on our team from last year’s group. In many respects we are a new team with a partially old name. We are going to need lots of help. I hope you will find a way to join us in the fight against NET–either on the course or through a donation.
