Donate to the Heads Up! Campaign
A Task Force comprised of head and neck (H&N) cancer survivors and friends have teamed with their care providers to raise awareness and resources to advance H&N cancer research at the University of Wisconsin. Resources from this effort will facilitate new research advances and stimulate the integration of physicians and scientists to increase the cure rate for H&N cancer patients. New research efforts are also underway to diminish the side effects induced by treatment. On behalf of UW head and neck cancer patients and their providers, thank you in advance for supporting advances in the treatment and cure of this challenging disease.
The Reality of Head and Neck Cancer
Imagine a day when you or a family member could not taste, chew or even swallow food. Next, picture wanting to communicate a thought and being unable to speak clearly enough to have your message understood by family, friends and colleagues. Now finally, envision losing part of your face, jaw or tongue to this disease and having your appearance radically changed.
This is reality for many of the approximately 45,000 people who are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year in the U.S. This cancer is not a rare disease and occurs primarily in men and women over age 50. It can affect the mouth, throat, neck, vocal cords, sinuses, tonsils, salivary glands and lips. When head and neck cancer is diagnosed in the early stages it can be treated successfully about 70 to 90 percent of the time. When the disease has advanced to later stages – the cure rate drops to about 20 to 40 percent.
Did You Know
Tomotherapy was invented and developed by UW Medical School researchers who first used the technology to treat patients in 2003. Currently a dozen researchers study head and neck cancer tumors in culture and animals to determine how new radiation and drug combinations can increase the cure rate.
The UW Comprehensive Cancer Center Head and Neck Program’s team includes internationally-recognized radiation and medical oncologists and oncology surgeons, as well as a nurse coordinator and many other medical professionals. This compassionate and patient-focused group of specialists offers the most advanced surgical, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, as well as support services.
Make a Difference
Although the UW Head and Neck Program has a solid base and superior program in patient care, research and teaching, additional resources are needed to expand and strengthen the research component necessary to transform our top head and neck program into a world-recognized comprehensive head and neck cancer center.
Additional resources will be used for advancing patient care and research initiatives, acquiring leading-edge equipment and technology and furthering teaching efforts. Scientists and physicians providing patient care work together to increase the cure rate of these cancers and reduce the damage caused by treatment. This will improve the lives of thousands throughout Wisconsin, the country and the world.
Giving Is Easy
To raise resources for the Heads Up! campaign, UW head and neck cancer survivors have teamed with their physicians and care providers. Decreases in federal and state funding are making it necessary to rely on private donors. By giving to the Heads Up! campaign, your donations can help advance research discoveries that will translate into life-saving therapies.
Please click on the donation button above to make a gift with a credit card contribution through UW Health or to get information for making a gift by mail. By contributing, you play a vital role in fast tracking advanced patient care
On behalf of UW head and neck cancer patients and their providers, thank you in advance for supporting and advancing the treatment and cure rate of this disease.
“I did not view myself as a candidate for throat cancer. I lived a healthy life. I was a mountain climber, jogger, canoeist, 35-mile-a-day biker and a non-smoker with no family history of cancer.”
“My husband, Milt McPike, was a father, athlete, teacher, principal, University of Wisconsin Regent and friend to many. He was also a head and neck cancer patient who died in 2007. Our family was fortunate to have Milt under the care of the compassionate team at the University of Wisconsin Head and Neck Cancer Program. Everyone – including receptionists, nurses, physicians, surgeons, and therapists – shared their strength and talents. Their dedication speaks volumes about the strength of this program – a program that needs additional funds for research in order to save more lives.”
“For 40 years I made my living and lived my life relying on my mouth and voice in my roles as a spouse, parent, business executive, police officer, teacher, elected official, community leader, salesman and volunteer. Today, after treatment for tongue cancer, I cannot do public speaking. Strangers have a hard time understanding me one-on-one even when I carefully chose my words. I often have to write notes to get my message across, and telephone conversations are very difficult. I ate the last real (solid) food of my life during the early stages of treatment.”
“The professionals at the UW Head and Neck Cancer Program provide exceptional medical care wrapped with a huge dose of kindness and compassion. We are deeply grateful for their support over the past four years!”