Moffitt Cancer Center educates guests on cancer research

Cancer has affected nearly every American in some way.

At the Moffitt Cancer Center Sarasota Luncheon Nov. 1, Chairwomen Susan Malloy Jones and Alisa W. Pettingell asked guests to stand up if they’ve ever had a friend or family member be diagnosed with cancer.

Nearly all the guests stood up.

Pettingell then went on to share her cancer story, which started when her grandmother got cancer when Pettingell was 11. A few years later her aunt got it. Many years later, her mother was also diagnosed. Then doctors found it in her own lymph nodes.

At the recommendation of her Sarasota doctors, Pettingell  went to Moffitt for treatment. Today, she’s at a 20% chance of recurrence.

Luncheon guests also heard from keynote speakers Dr. Kenneth Tsai and Dr. Amber Orman, who spoke about the latest cancer research findings and treatment (and preventative) methods.