On Tuesday I got to be a part of a really cool experience. The Canine Christmas Benefit in Las Vegas. (No dogs were singing). BUT, the singers who were singing - were AMAZING!! All the proceeds of the event went to support the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU. They asked me to say a few words, and I did. I didn't barf, didn't faint, didn't fall, and they clapped when I was done. SUCCESS!!
This is what I said: (and yes, I had to write down my name so I wouldn't forget).
Good Evening, I’m Andrea from Washington State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine. I would first like to thank Jacqueline, Dr. Pennell, and all the performers for their efforts to make this evening possible. What an amazing experience. I would also like to thank each and every one of you for being here. Tonight, we have had the opportunity to listen to some of the most gifted performers and voices I have ever heard, and in doing so; we are also helping our furry friends battle cancer. Our pets, in most cases, are very much a part of our family. I know at our house (much to my dismay) it was the dog who had the most presents under the Christmas tree. And, while we do all that we can to make sure our dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, horses, etc are safe and healthy – we cannot protect them against cancer.
At WSU our oncologists work diligently not only to fight existing cases, but also to teach and train the next generation of veterinarians so that they may have the tools to continue the battle.
At WSU our oncologists work to establish and individualize treatment plans for each and every animal. To provide the best cancer fighting drug or radiation treatment (or both) for that specific tumor. Each treatment is unique, as is each case, as is each animal, as is each one of us.
In 2000, our oncologists and radiologists had a mission to treat dogs with head and neck tumors, and ended up serving the human population as well. In this case, at this time, veterinary medicine was ahead of human medicine. Dogs with head or neck tumors were brought to WSU from all over the world to be treated. The smaller of the tumors were treated with Radio Surgery and the larger ones were treated using Intensity Modulated Radiation therapy. By using imaging through our CT, MRI, and high energy radiation producing machine (the Linear Accelerator) our vets successfully targeted the tumors without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue or spinal cord, which at that time, was unheard of. Today, this type of technology is used to treat women and children diagnosed with brain, neck, or head tumors, and it all began at WSU with the hope to treat cancer in dogs.
We are asking you today to consider helping WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital upgrade our imaging suite; so that we may continue innovation, education, and the eradication of the disease that effects so many of us. Cancer.
The WSU Imaging center has been a hallmark program for the College of Veterinary Medicine, advancing science in veterinary imaging for over the past 15 years. We are acknowledged globally as the pioneer veterinary institution leading the world in small animal and equine imaging. Our equipment is getting older, and is in desperate need of an upgrade so that we may continue to lead the way.
Upgrading our imaging equipment will allow our veterinarians to detect the presence of cancer earlier. It will also give us a greater understanding of each tumor so that we can adapt and monitor the success of the treatments, as well as the eventual and hopeful triumph over the disease.
Currently there are 28 veterinary schools in the United States, and WSU is proud to serve as the College of Veterinary Medicine for Nevada. Whether it is protecting communities in sub-Saharan Africa by vaccinating their animals, or learning how to fight heart disease by studying the hearts of hibernating Grizzlies, or developing innovative ways to fight cancer – WSU will continue to exceed expectations, to passionately teach, to continue to learn, to never stop fighting, to do our best every day, for every species, against every disease, to make you proud to say WSU is YOUR vet school. Thank you again, and good night.
May your day be filled with proud moments.
Andrea
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