Joseph Cullen, M.D., UI Hospitals and Clinics gastrointestinal surgeon, recently found a strong ally backing his research into the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics against pancreatic cancer.

Amy Bader, the daughter of a pancreatic cancer patient, used the flood of emotions brought on by her mother's Oct. 2003 diagnosis to fuel a passionate search for a cure.

Cullen's research is directed in two specific areas. "First, we have found that the drug dicumarol, which is a common medication used as a blood anticoagulant, is toxic to pancreatic cancer cells and has little effect on normal cells. Our studies in this area include developing vehicles for dicumarol that specifically deliver the drug locally to the tumor," said Cullen.

"Our second area of investigation is directed toward antioxidant enzymes to inhibit pancreatic cancer growth," Cullen said. "These enzymes are in all cells but pancreatic cancer cells have an abnormally low concentration of these enzymes. When the enzymes are replaced in the pancreatic cancer cells, growth is inhibited both in cell culture and in animal tumor models."

Though his laboratory is partially funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, Cullen was seeking additional research funding several months ago through the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN), a national advocacy group for pancreatic cancer patients and their families.

That's when he met Bader, who was then the group's marketing volunteer for Iowa.

"My mother's illness was the inspiration for my involvement [with PANCAN]," said Bader, a University of Iowa graduate who lives in Eldridge and works in marketing. "When we received her diagnosis, and prognosis, it was so devastating. To learn that there is no effective treatment made me want to do everything I could to help find a cure."

Bader grew excited when she learned about Cullen's research and the fact that he was based in Iowa. But Cullen was not eligible for the grants offered through PANCAN, because they are reserved for "new" doctors to help increase the field of study of the disease. "When I learned that Dr. Cullen probably wouldn't qualify, I decided to start my own foundation," Bader said, "the Susan L. Bader Foundation of Hope."

That foundation has since launched numerous successful efforts to back Cullen's research. "The Susan L. Bader Foundation of Hope Golf Outing" raised $10,000 (resulting in the first official check presentation to Cullen in August 2004). Bader's sister, Beth, a professional golfer on the LPGA, pledges $5 for every birdie she makes as part of another program, "Birdies for a Breakthrough."

"An Evening at the IMAX" in Davenport on Nov. 15, 2004 (to recognize Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month), raised another $4,000. Another event, "The People and Pooches Walk," was inspired by Bader's mother's love of dogs.

The foundation also sells "pancreatic cancer awareness bracelets" made of Swarovski crystal beads and sterling silver. Between July and November 2004, the foundation raised $3,000 in bracelet sales.

"Mom was an inspiration to so many other cancer patients and our community in general," said Bader, whose mother passed away Dec. 10, 2004. "It is so hard to see someone so full of life die from something we have very little knowledge about. Because of this, I'm motivated to keep fighting for all the other patients and their families who will have to go through this."

Amy Bader presents a check to Joseph Cullen, M.D., and Carol Jefferson, UI Foundation.

For more information:

Susan L. Bader Foundation of Hope

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN)

National Institutes of Health