it ”0
`M k: NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION
`ar
`Serial No; 76/105,918
`
`Docket: T04397USO
`
`llllllllll
`lllllllllllllllll\lllllllzlllgllllgllllol
`7-26
`1
`0
`U 5 Patent & TMOfoITM Mail Rem. Dr. #3
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Mark: NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER
`FOUNDATION
`
`Examining Attorney:
`Michael E. Bodson
`
`Applicant: National Childhood Cancer Foundation
`
`Law Office: 1 10
`
`Sena] No.1 76/105,918
`
`Filed: August 8, 2000
`
`Class: 36
`
`Box RESPONSES
`NO FEE
`Assistant Commissioner for Trademarks
`
`CERTIFICATIONUNDER 37 CFR§ 1.8
`I hereby certify that the documents referred to as enclosed herein are being
`deposited with the United States Postal Service as first class mmn this
`date July 23 mm in an envelope addressed In Box REsponsss No
`FEE, Assistant Commissioner for Trademarks, ZEQQCrystal DEE
`Arlington, VA 222023513
`s
`
`
`4
`
`3
`
`v
`
`303291;?wa
`ignature
`
`
`
`2900 Crystal Drive
`Arlington, VA 22202-3513
`
`Dear Sir:
`
`RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION
`
`This communication is in response to the Office Action mailed January 23, 2001,
`
`whereby the Examining Attorney set forth the following:
`
`1.
`
`Registration on the Principal Register is refused on the grounds that the
`
`proposed mark merely describes the services.
`
`Gray Cary\SD\l 456804
`67276—900001
`
`1
`
`

`

`REMARKS
`
`The Examining Attorney has refused the Applicant’s application arguing that the
`
`subject mark is merely descriptive. Applicant respectfully disagrees with the rejection for the
`
`following reasons:
`
`I. Applicant’s mark has Acquired Distinctiveness
`
`Applicant submits that the subject mark has acquired a secondary meaning. A merely
`
`descriptive term may be registered and protected if that term has acquired a secondary meaning
`
`in its particular market. Pursuant to Section 2(1), the Director may accept as primafacz'e evidence
`
`that the mark has become distinctive, “proof of substantially exclusive and continuous use thereof as
`
`a mark by the applicant in commerce for the five years before the date on which the claim of
`
`distinctiveness is made.”
`
`Secondary meaning or acquired distinctiveness requires that the consuming public
`
`primarily associates the term with a particular source. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. McNeil-
`
`P.P.C., Inc, 973 F.2d 1033, 1040 (2nd Cir. 1992). Secondary meaning may be measured using a
`
`variety of factors. Those factors considered include, the manner and length of use of the mark,
`
`the nature and extent of advertising and promotion thereunder, the steps taken by applicant to
`
`create in the minds of the purchasing public a conscious association of the mark with the
`
`particular goods or services, and the results of these efforts. In re Instant Transactions Corp. of
`
`America, 201 U.S.P.Q. 957, 958 (TTAB 1979).
`
`Gray Cary\SD\l456804
`67276-900001
`
`2
`
`

`

`A.
`
`Length and Exclusivity of Use
`
`Applicant has used this mark substantially exclusively and continuously since
`
`May 1992, which is greater than the five year period required under Section 2(0. See
`
`Declaration of Robert L. Pannoni, attached hereto as Exhibit A, (“Pannoni Decl.”), pg. 1, para. 2.
`
`Further, extensive marketing and advertising have taken place and the Applicant
`
`has raised millions of dollars in donations. Therefore, given the length and extent of use (more
`
`fully explained below), the Applicant respectfully submits that the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD
`
`CANCER FOUNDATION mark has acquired a secondary meaning.
`
`B.
`
`Nature and Extent of Advertising
`
`Advertising and promotion expenditures can be relevant evidence from which to
`
`infer the creation of secondary meaning in the minds of the public. In re Andes Candies Inc,
`
`478 F.2d at 1267. Applicant has spent more than $550,000 on advertising and publication
`
`expenses from/1993 to present. (Pannoni Decl., pg.2 , para. 3).
`
`In addition, Applicant publishes a quarterly newsletter, Childhood Cancerline, for
`
`donors and other interested parties as well as an Annual Report and Honor Roll of Donors, all of
`
`which prominently display Applicant’s mark. This newsletter has widespread distribution and
`
`has reached thousands of consumers since its launch in 1994. (Pannoni Decl., pg. 2, para. 4)
`
`Since 1994, Applicant has also advertised in numerous national publications
`
`including Martha Stewart Living, Fart Campbell Courier, Neoplasia, The Optimist, Scientific
`
`American and was recognized as a beneficiary of the 1994 Shark Shootout hosted by golf
`
`professional Greg Norman. (Pannoni Decl., pg. 2 , para. 5)
`
`Gray Cary\SD\1456804
`67276-900001
`
`3
`
`

`

`In addition to these significant advertising and marketing expenditures, the
`
`Applicant operates a website which prominently displays the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD
`
`CANCER FOUNDATION mark directly in connection with the Applicant’s charitable
`
`fundraising services. Through this website, consumers throughout the United States and the
`
`world have been exposed to the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION mark
`
`since the website launch date of 1995. Although historical Visitor data is not available, in the
`
`month of May 2001 alone, the Applicant’s website had a total of 632,305 successful hits which
`
`translates to an average of in excess of 20,000 hits per day. Extrapolated over the six year period
`
`from 1995, this equates to millions of Visitors who were exposed to the Applicant’s mark.
`
`(Pannoni Decl., pg. 2-3, para. 6)
`
`C.
`
`Sales - Number of Donors and Total Amount of Funds raised.
`
`Sales information can be relevant evidence from which to infer the creation of
`
`secondary meaning. In re Andes Candies Inc., 478 F.2d 1264, 1267 (C.C.P.A. 1973). In the
`
`instant matter, a donation is a “sale” of the Applicant’s services, which are charitable fundraising
`
`services. Cost of the product and the length of time over which sales took place [number of
`
`donations, total funds raised and the number of years] must be taken into account when inferring
`
`secondary meaning from sales figures. In re Ideal Industries, Inc., 508 F.2d 1336, 1339
`
`(C.C.P.A. 1975). In the instant case, since 1992, Applicant has received donations from nearly
`
`23,000 donors representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several foreign countries.
`
`In this same time frame, the National Childhood Cancer Foundation has raised close to
`
`$100,000,000 (100 Million Dollars) due to its fundraising efforts. This represents significant
`
`consumer recognition of the subject mark and association of this mark with the Applicant.
`
`(Pannoni Decl, pg. 3, para. 7)
`
`Gray Cary\SD\1456804
`67276-900001
`
`4
`
`

`

`Equally significant is the number of organizations which have received grants and
`
`funds since 1992. For example, the list for 1999 shows in excess of 175 hospitals, medical
`
`clinics, universities, and research institutes that have received in excess of $8,500,000. These
`
`numbers together with the number of donors demonstrates that consumers both on the giving and
`
`receiving ends have had substantial exposure to the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER
`
`FOUNDATION mark in the Applicant’s arena, thus supporting a finding of acquired
`
`distinctiveness. (Pannoni Decl., pg. 3, para. 8)
`
`D.
`
`Customer testimony/letters
`
`Letters and/or testimony by consumers expressing their understanding of the mark
`
`at issue is direct evidence of consumers’ associations with Applicant’s mark and leads to a
`
`finding of acquired distinctiveness. Loctite, 516 F. Supp. at 204. Consumers who identify the
`
`mark as belonging to the producer, rather than any other company in the field, demonstrate an
`
`acquired distinctiveness of that mark. Schenectady Varnish, 280 F.2d at 1158. Attached as
`
`Exhibit 7 to the Pannoni Decl. are testimonials from 9 National Childhood Cancer Foundation
`
`donors and/or volunteers attesting to their familiarity with the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD
`
`CANCER FOUNDATION mark with the Applicant and evidencing that they believe the
`
`Applicant to be the source of the fimdraising activities bearing this mark.
`
`By virtue of the extensive dollar amount of funds raised [i.e. sales], the number of
`
`donors and the widespread geographic area of the donors, the number of organizations receiving
`
`grants, the amount of marketing and advertising expenditures, and the widespread distribution of the
`
`CHILDHOOD CANCERLINE newsletter, all of which display the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD
`
`CANCER FOUNDATION mark in strictly a trademark sense to indicate the source of its charitable
`
`Gray Cary\SD\l456804
`67276-900001
`
`5
`
`

`

`fundraising, it is respectfully submitted that Applicant’s mark has acquired distinctiveness under
`
`Section 2(i).
`
`CONCLUSION
`
`In View of the foregoing remarks, it is believed that this Application is in
`
`condition for prompt publication. Favorable action is therefore requested.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`Dated: July E, 2001
`
`John M. Kim, Esq.
`GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP
`
`401 B Street, Suite 1700
`San Diego, California 92101-4297
`Telephone:
`(619) 699—2659
`Facsimile:
`(619) 699-2701
`
`Gray Cary\SD\1456804
`67276-900001
`
`6
`
`

`

`Mark: NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION
`Serial No.2 76/105,918
`Docket: T043 97USO
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Mark: NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION
`
`Applicant: National Childhood Cancer Foundation
`
`Serial No.: 76/105,918
`
`Filed: August 8, 2000
`
`Class: 36
`
`
`
`BOX RESPONSES
`NO FEE
`Assistant Commissioner for Trademarks
`
`2900 Crystal Drive
`Arlington, VA 22202-3 513
`
`DECLARATION OF ROBERT L. PANNONI
`
`IN SUPPORT OF ACQUIRED DISTINCTIVENESS
`
`1, Robert 1. Pannoni, declare as follows:
`
`1.
`
`I am the interim CEO/COO of the National Childhood Cancer Foundation
`
`(“Applicant”). 1 have been the C00 since August 1, 1991. I am familiar with all areas of the
`
`National Childhood Cancer Foundation’s operations, including but not limited to the matters
`
`stated herein.
`
`2.
`
`The Applicant has had substantially exclusive and continuous use in commerce of
`
`its NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION mark for charitable fundraising
`
`services as described in its application, since at least as early as May 1992.
`
`Gray Cary\SD\l457l31
`67276-90000]
`
`1
`
`

`

`3.
`
`Since 1993, Applicant has spent more than $570,000 in advertising and
`
`publication expenditures to promote the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION
`
`mark. Attached hereto as Exhibit 1 is a true and correct copy of a listing, by year, of Applicant’s
`
`advertising and publication expenses.
`
`4.
`
`Applicant publishes a quarterly newsletter, Childhood Cancerline, for donors and
`
`other interested parties as well as an Annual Report and Honor Roll of Donors, both of which
`
`prominently display Applicant’s mark. This newsletter has widespread distribution and has
`
`reached thousands of consumers since its inception in 1994. Attached hereto as Exhibit 2 are
`
`several issues of Childhood Cancerline [formerly Heartbeat] dating from as early as November
`
`1994.
`
`5.
`
`Since at least as early as 1994, Applicant has advertised in numerous publications
`
`nationwide including Martha Stewart Living, Fort Campbell Courier, Neoplasia, The Optimist,
`
`Scientific American and was recognized as a beneficiary of the 1994 Shark Shootout hosted by
`
`golfprofessional Greg Norman. True and correct copies of such advertisements are attached
`
`hereto as Exhibit 3.
`
`6.
`
`Applicant operates a website which prominently displays the NATIONAL
`
`CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION mark directly in connection with the Applicant’s
`
`charitable fundraising services. Through this website, consumers throughout the United States
`
`and the world have been exposed to the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION
`
`mark since the website launch date of 1995. Although historical visitor data is not available, in
`
`the month of May 2001 alone, the Applicant’s website had a total of 632,305 successful hits
`
`which translates to an average of in excess of 20,000 hits per day. If this figure is extrapolated
`
`over the six year period from 1995, this would equate to millions of website visitors. Attached
`
`Gray Cary\SD\1457131
`67276-900001
`
`2
`
`

`

`hereto as Exhibit 4 is a true and correct copy of a print out of the home page and several other
`
`pages from the website which describe and promote the Applicant’s services under the
`
`NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION mark and statistical information
`
`regarding visitor information to the Applicant’s website in May 2001.
`
`7.
`
`Since 1992, Applicant has received donations from nearly 23,000 donors
`
`representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several foreign countries. In this same
`
`time frame, the National Childhood Cancer Foundation has raised close to $100,000,000 due to
`
`its fundraising efforts. This represents significant consumer recognition of the subject mark and
`
`association of this mark with the Applicant. Attached hereto as Exhibit 5 is a true and correct
`
`copy of a listing, by year, of total revenue received and a chart showing the number of donors by
`
`location.
`
`8.
`
`Since 1992, Applicant has awarded grants and funds to numerous organizations.
`
`The list for 1999, for example, shows that more than 175 hospitals, medical clinics, universities,
`
`and research institutes nationwide received in excess of 38,5 00,000. These numbers together
`
`with the number of donors demonstrates that consumers have had substantial exposure to the
`
`NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION mark. Attached hereto as Exhibit 6 is a
`
`true and correct copy of a listing, by year, of total funds disbursed to institutions and yearly
`
`listings of all institutions which have received funds from the Applicant.
`
`9.
`
`Numerous customers have come to recognize the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD
`
`CANCER FOUNDATION mark as originating fiom the Applicant and identifying the
`
`Applicant’s charitable fundraising services. Attached hereto as Exhibit 7 are testimonials from 9
`
`National Childhood Cancer Foundation donors and/or volunteers attesting to their familiarity
`
`with the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION mark with the Applicant and
`
`Gray Cary\SD\l457131
`67276-900001
`
`3
`
`

`

`evidencing that they believe the Applicant to be the source of the fundraising activities bearing
`
`this mark.
`
`10.
`
`I believe that as a result of these marketing and promotional efforts, the number
`
`and widespread location of donors and the substantially exclusive and continuous use in
`
`commerce on the services claimed in the Applicant’s application for the 9 years before the date
`
`of this Statement, the NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION mark has become
`
`distinctive of the Applicant’s services.
`
`Gray Cary\SD\l457l31
`67276-900001
`
`4
`
`

`

`Jul 20 31 03:19p
`- —— *~'fl1”20.2821_‘223ym
`
`no.451
`
`P.6
`
`11.
`
`The above Statements made with my own knowledge are true and all statements
`
`made on information and belief are believed to be true. The statements were made with the
`
`knowledge that willful false statements and the like are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or
`
`both, under Section 1001 of Title 18 of the United Slams Code, and that such willful false
`
`statements may jeopardize the validity of this application and any registration resulting
`
`therefrom.
`
`«A
`Executed this 20' day ofJuly,2001,at flag/)4
`
`.Califomia.
`
`National Childhood Cancer Foundation
`
`Robert L. Famoni
`Interim CEO/COO
`
`Gny CIry\SD\MS7 I31
`67276-900001
`
`5
`
`RECEIVED TIME
`
`JUL.2@.
`
`3511PM
`
`PRINT TIME
`
`JUL.EB.
`
`3:15PM
`
`

`

`

`

`NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION
`
`ADVERTISING - PUBLICATION EXPENSES
`
`FOR YEARS 1993-2000
`
`1993
`1994
`1995
`1996
`1997
`1998
`1999
`2000
`
`TOTAL
`
`'
`
`.
`
`$1,759
`$9,801
`$95,993
`$103,513
`$63,585
`$73,019
`$96,062
`$130,075
`
`$573,807
`
`

`

`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FOUNDATIONTM
`
`"Baywatch" Beauty
`
`' Had a Bout With
`
`Cancer As a Child
`eautiful
`in her sleek swimsuit,
`cavorting on a Hawaiian beach in
`front of the “Baywatch" cum—
`signing autographs
`seeing
`eras,
`Melody-Lynette Lomboy like this, it is
`hard to imagine the three tough years
`she spent as a child, fighting leukemia.
`She was the baby of five children,
`growing up in sunny Southern California,
`swimming at
`the local pool, singing
`with the family band. Then one day
`when her mother was fixing the six-
`year-old’s hair for school, she noticed a
`lump on the side of her neck.
`A pediatrician told her there was
`nothing unusual
`in the bloodstream
`“But my mom is Italian and hard—head-
`ed,” says Melody, “and she insisted on a
`referral to a cancer center.” There the
`doctors found leukemia cells in the
`
`child’s spinal fluid and bone marrow.
`Melody began three years of intense
`chemotherapy. Her hair fell out, grew
`back in, and fell out again, several times.
`But she went right on with her school-
`work and her competitive swimming.
`“I’d have chemo on Friday, be sick
`all night, and then get up Saturday and
`race.
`I was so young,
`it didn’t seem
`unusual to me,” she recalls.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MEANT TO BE A STAR ‘ Cancer survivor Melody
`Lynette Lomhoy appeared in a featured role on a
`recent episode of “Baywatch Hawaii.”
`
`— Zontinued on page 2
`
`
`
`
`Meet the Man Guiding The Future of
`Childhood Cancer Research
`
`
`
`
`Gregory Reaman, M.D.
`Chair, Children' 3
`Oncology Group (C.0.G.)
`
`regory Rearnan, M.D., has been
`elected Chair of the Children’s
`Oncology Group (C.O.G.) The
`member—institutions of this cooperative
`research network, recently formed by the
`merger of four national childhood cancer
`research and treatment groups,
`are
`responsible for the care of more than
`90% of the children with cancer in North
`America. The Group develops and coor-
`dinates clinical trials conducted at over
`235 children’s hospitals. university hos—
`pitals and cancer centers throughout the
`US and Canada, as well as at sites in
`Europe and Australia.
`is that our
`“My vision for C.O.G.
`unity of membership, purpose, and mis—
`sion will result in an environment that
`will lead to even greater and more irnrne
`diate benefits for children with cancer,”
`says Dr. Reaman. “Collaboration at
`every level is essential for scientific dis—
`covery, which originates from the best
`
`validated concepts and will translate into
`advances in care."
`Dr. Reaman serves as both Executive
`Director of the Center for Cancer and
`Blood Disorders, and Chair of the divi—
`sion of Hematology-Oncology, at
`the
`Children’s National Medical Center in
`Washington DC. He is professor of»
`pediatrics
`at George Washington
`University School of Medicine and
`Health Sciences.
`Since l990 he has served on the
`Board of Trustees of
`the National
`Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF),
`the grantee and fundraising organization
`for C.O.G. He says he wants to work
`through the foundation, “To secure the
`financial support we need to achieve our
`mission, adequately funding those oper—
`ations and resources that are essential to
`our success.”
`The Children’s Oncology Group is
`currently hard at work preparing the first
`competing grant application for
`the
`National Cancer Institute, which will be
`submitted in February of 2002. Future
`goals of C.O.G.
`include increased sur«
`vivor
`follow—up, more teenagers with
`— Continued on page 3
`
`
`
`Don't forget —
`September is
`Childhood Cancer
`
`Month!
`Start planning now for ways you can help
`spread awareness of childhood cancer
`and advocate on behalf of the infants,
`children, teens and young adults fighting
`the disease in September. For informa—
`tion on Childhood Cancer Gold Ribbon
`
`to be held in Washington DC,
`Days,
`check out the websites www.nccf.org and
`www,ChildhoodCancerAwareness.org.
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`-
`
`,
`
`Pharmae1sts Play Important Rolein Treating KidsWith Cancer
`vent small problems from becoming large problems,” says
`ithin the Children’s Oncology Group (C.O.G.) thereis
`Sorenson.
`-
`.
`_
`.
`.
`,
`,-
`a network of over 100 pharmacists who are working
`When a childis receiving medication as an out—patient, the
`with pediatric oncology patients all across North
`pharmacist must also teach the family how to administer the
`America and in Australia Thirty of them serve on the
`medications at home, which might include making up a med—g
`Pharmacy Committee of C. O.G. and meet in person at least
`ication calendar so that doses are given 7;
`twice a year at C. O. G. meetings or
`
`'atthe right times.
`if the family lives.
`other pharmacy meetings.
`, some distance from the hespitai',_ and‘is
`The goal of. Mark K. Sorenson,
`
`Chair of the Pharmacy Committee, is to
`using‘local. providers,
`the pharmacist
`
`may have to be in touch with the local
`get pharmacists involved in childhood
`
`
`pharmacy to coordinate the drug, thera-
`cancer protocols while they are in
`
`py. AcCording to sorensoni “The phar-
`development,
`to enSure that the drug
`i‘macist
`really pulls
`all?
`the players
`therapy elements will answer the study
`question, and to enhance the safety of
`together, particularly in the home care
`situation.”
`'
`‘
`the protocol.
`For many new drugs,
`With the'mercaSing coSts of health—
`there is little information available on
`carc, pharmacists become involved in’
`pediatric use of the drug, and the phar—
`the cost of drugs; Iftwo drugs. are equiv— »
`macist can help determine the dose of
`alent, the pharmacist can suggeSt.
`the:
`‘
`the drugs for trials for children.
`most cost-effective. However, he points
`Pharmacists prepare the Drug Mono—
`, ut,f,“S‘ometirnes it is less expensive [in ,
`graph, which becomes a part of the
`the long run to use. a,more.expensi=ye ‘
`Pharmacist Mark K Sorensyon of‘thekUniVersity. of lowa _
`protocol itself. This detailed document
`
`’iospitals and Clinicsis Chair or the Pharmacy
`drug, particularly if it preVents' hospital<
`includes eVerything the healthcare team "
`Committee of the Children's Oncology Group (C.0G)
`might need to know, including how to
`ization days.’7 Most difficult to quantify ,
`
`
`are the quality of life issues. If an,
`_
`administer the drug, what it is compati-
`expensive drug will prevent a child from vomiting for days
`ble with, the side effects, and how to obtain it.
`Medication delivery is a large part of the work for a phar-
`after chemotherapy, he asks, ‘tWhat kind of price canyouput
`on that?”
`»
`~
`-
`macist in a pediatric oncology setting. This includes prepar—
`Clearly the pharmacist plays an important rolein the multi—
`ing the medications for in-patients, and meeting with patients
`disciplinary team approach to caring for children: with cancer
`and their families to answer questions about drug interactions,
`' Sorenson says he sees. the care of the child with cancer as apie. '
`allergies, how to minimize adverse effects. of the drugs, and
`how to administer the drug so the child will take it. (For exam—
`“With the physician, the nurse, the physical therapist, the phar—_'
`macist, and all the other healthcare- players each having a big
`ple, if the child doesn’t like the taste, breaking a tablet and hid-
`piece. Take one away, and you still maybe able to’treat the
`ing it inside a gelatineapsule.) The pharmacist also monitors
`child but maybe not make the treatment as comfortable fer the
`each bed-patient’s condition, checking such reactions as elec—
`trolyte imbalances. “The pharmacist can often avoid or pre-
`patient and family as possible.”W
`
`
`
`
`
`
`il
`
`i l ll1
`
`i
`
`and she had a featured role in a segment on the air this spring.
`The popular TV series then ended after 15 years “There are
`only so many rescues you can do,” Melody laughs.
`Melody1s now busy planning her wedding. She will soon
`be marrying UCLA medical student Thomas Lowe. He plans
`a career treating adults with cancer, and spends his free time
`with Melody at Camp Good Times, a camp for children with
`cancer and their families. Melody has attended the camp reg—
`ularly for years, first as a camper and now as a counselor and
`a volunteer fundraiser. The young actress also keeps busy with
`acting. dance, and singing lessons, and she performs at count—
`less auditions. Her career is very important to her.
`“Now that l’ve had a taste of the entertainment industry, I
`can’t leave it,” she says. Her mother has told her, “I didn’t
`name you Melody to have you be a social worker. You are
`meant to be a star!” Melody feels that a successful acting
`career will give her the perfect platform from which to speak
`out for kids with cancer. And she has an important message to
`convey. She says of her cancer experience, “I was so lucky. I
`have conquered odds most people don’t even face." 5:19
`
`"Baywateh Beauty" 1
`Continued item page 1
`
`Such tenacity helped her beat the
`cancer. And later she won a swimming
`scholarship to the University of
`California at Irvine. There she thought
`nothing of going to workouts six hours
`a day, while carrying 16 - 24 units. She
`planned on a Master’s Degree and
`then a career in social work. However,
`during her senior year she was bit by
`e “Show Biz Bug.”
`She took a
`drama class just to keep a friend com—
`pany, and the teacher arranged for her
`to go to New York for special training
`in musical theater.
`
`
`
`Melony was treated for
`leukemia from the age of
`six until she was nlne, ant;
`now 1s a spokesperson for
`kids with cancer.
`
`The next thing she knew she had an agent, roles in some
`commercials, and an audition for “Baywatch Hawaii.” She
`won the role of Nani. the trainee lifeguard, for five episodes,
`
`

`

`A SpecialChild
`I Meets Her Doctors
`
`in Washington
`ittle Brianna had a cancer with a big
`
`Lname: infantile acute lymphoblastic
`
`leukemia with chromosome translo-
`cation
`also known as p(4;11)q(21;23.)
`Back in 1994 when Brianna was diag—
`nosed, treatment for it had just recently
`become available.
`The chromosome
`translocation associated with this type of
`cancer was identified by the cytogenetics
`experts of the Children’s Cancer Group.
`A protocol to treat ALL in infants had just
`been developed by Dr. Gregory Reaman.
`Doctors whose work had so much
`effect on this child first met her several
`
`in Washington D.C., during
`years later,
`The March Against Cancer. When she
`went home, little Brianna told people she
`had met the doctors who saved her life.
`Brianna was the first child on this pro—
`tocol, the first child to survive this deadly
`form of leukemia.
`Just a few months old when diag—
`nosed, and breast fed during the entire
`ordeal, Brianna was in the hospital for
`119 days of intensive chemotherapy.
`“She didn’t like that at all. She wanted
`no one to touch her. She was afraid of
`everyone,” says her mother, Lyssa. She
`had a bone marrow transplant at 14
`months of age. “She never wanted to stop
`playing,” says her mother. “She would
`play for ten minutes, and then nap for an
`hour. Even when she could barely hold her
`head up she tried to play because she knew
`that was her job.”
`The family coped as best they could.
`“We kept our sense of humor," says Lyssa.
`“I laughed about things a normal person
`
`Gregory Reaman, MD — Continued from pagel
`
`cancer enrolled in clinical trials, greater
`emphasis on working with advocacy
`groups to promote the cause of children
`with cancer, and creation of a national
`childhood cancer registry.
`Dr. Reaman grew up in Akron, Ohio.
`He graduated cum laude from the
`University of Detroit, and later received
`his medical
`degree
`from Loyola
`University, Stritch School of Medicine,
`in Chicago. He completed his pediatric
`residency at
`the Montreal Children’s
`Hospital. McGill University, and his fel—
`lowship in pediatric hematologyuoncolo
`
`
`
`Institute
`the National Cancer
`gy at
`(NCl). He worked in the Pediatric
`Oncology Branch of NCI before going to
`Children’s Hospital.
`or
`authored
`has
`Dr. Reaman
`co-authored more than 170 scientific
`publications and serves on the editorial
`boards 01' the medical journals “Cancer,"
`“Journal of Pediatric Hematology-
`Oncology,” “Leukemia” and “Journal of
`Clinical Oncology.” His clinical and lab;
`oratory work includes leukemia cell
`biology, treatment of ALL in infants, and
`investigation of new anti-cancer drugs
`
`
`
`and biologics in the treatment of refrac«
`tory childhood cancer.
`Reamnn is a cancer survivor himself.
`He and his wife Susan live in Chevy
`Chase, Maryland. They are the parents of
`two daughters, Emily, 19, and Sarah, 17.
`Dr. Reanian sees the coming togeth-
`er of the Children’s Oncology Group as,
`“Taking collaboration to new heights
`a new beginning for the end of childhood
`cancer in this millennium.”
`
`See story above about Dr: Reaman and a
`speciolpatiem‘.
`‘2?
`
`
`
`
`HISTORIC MEETING — Little Brianna meets
`NCCE‘ founder G. Denman Hammond, MD, for the
`first time. While he was chair of the Children’s
`Cancer Group he implemented studies of the rare
`type of leukemia that attacks infants.
`
`PATlEh '1‘ THANKS DOCTOR -— With her face
`painted colorfully. Brianna greets Gregory Reaman,
`MD. He was the one who developed the protocol
`for infantile leukemia that was successful in
`treating her.
`
`wouldn’t laugh about. Brianna did occa-
`sionally see my anger, but 1 tried to make
`sure she had as normal an upbringing as
`possible.”
`It was several years later that Lyssa
`Bookman, who had never been to the
`nation’s capitol, had a dream. “It hit me
`in the middle of the night. I just had to
`attend The March, and take Brianna.” So
`she took her daughter out of kindergarten,
`and headed for the cancer demonstration.
`She introduced herself at the booth of the
`National Childhood Cancer Foundation
`(NCCF), and when she mentioned that
`her child had been cured of cancer she
`’was told, “Go tell that man.”
`She went
`to meet G. Denman
`Hammond, M.D.,
`the founder of NCCF.
`Dr. Hammond had been the chair of the
`Children’s Cancer Group at the time of
`Brianna’s treatments, and had implement—
`ed the studies of her
`rare type of
`leukemia. As soon as he learned how she
`had been treated in 1994, he picked her up
`and hugged her and said, “1 know all
`
`about you.” He told Lyssa that she and
`Brianna had to meet Dr. Reaman, and told
`her where to find him.
`that very moment
`Reaman was at
`speaking on a panel of cancer experts, just
`100 yards away. When a note was passed
`to him explaining that Brianna was there,
`and who she was, he just stood up in the
`middle of the discussion and left the panel
`to come and meet her.
`“I can’t believe it,” Dr. Reaman
`exclaimed, as he was finally able to put a
`face to one of the first survivors of the
`landmark protocol. Only ten children a
`year are diagnosed with that deadly type
`of cancer, and until seven years ago, near—
`ly all of them died.
`People marched in Washington that
`day, demanding that legislators appropri-
`ate more money for cancer research. A
`little girl played on the lawn near the mall
`as two doctors watched her like proud
`fathers. The point was made. Research
`Works. W
`
` 3
`
`

`

`
`
`FIRST ANNUAL Dos WALK FOR KIDS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`n a lovely park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, dog lovers gathered with their four—
`legged companions for the “4 Paws ForA Cure” pet walk. Organized by chairman
`Steve Gordon and a committee of fellow Viacom Productions employees, the
`event raised nearly $40,000 .
`Melissa Joan Hart, star of “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” was honorary chair of
`the event. The presenting sponsor was Nutro, and
`co—sponsors were Wells Fargo and Petco. Theoffi-
`cial apparel sponsor was Big Dogs.
`Young cancer survivor Carlye Gordon made the
`announcement to “Let the walk begin.” She led the
`way with her dog Lucky as a variety of purebreds
`and mutts followed the two—mile route. Watch the
`NCCF website for information on when and where
`
`
`
`
`
`Over 150 dogs took part in
`the first pet walk for NCCF. A
`
`dog and owner "look alike" cone
`test provided lots of laughs.
`
`
`the second annual pet walk will take place. ®
`
`SHE COOKS FOR A CURE
`
`PAINTINGS BENEFIT CANCER CURES
`
`Karen Calabrese challenged her New
`Jersey community: “Cook for friends
`and family, and save a child’s life!”
`She asked for volunteers to cook
`dinners in their homes, selecting what—
`ever theme or menu they Wished. The
`hostesses then sent out invitations to all
`their friends and neighbors, and charged
`$20 a person for the evening. Every host
`family was given a gift certificate so that
`they could later enjoy a night out at a
`local restaurant.
`
`While her own son is healthy, Karen
`is motivated to help the more than
`12,000 Children and young adults who
`are diagnosed with cancer each year in
`this country. She is proud that she raised
`ovcr $1,600 for NCCF. “We all should
`do whatever we can to make it possible
`to cure all of these kids," she says. £39
`
`
`
`Karen Galabrese and her son Zachery. age 6, are
`saown here having fun in the kitchen as she plans
`a series of hintiraising dinner parties.
`
`
`
`Lynn Dunbar says that for the rest of her life she will give a portion of the sale of every one
`of her paintings to benefit childhood cancer research.
`A fonner advertising art director, the artist creates bold and colorful impressionistic
`paintings, mostly landscapes. Recently one of the
`Heine Brothers
`coffee
`shops
`in Louisville,
`Kentucky, planned a showing of her paintings.
`Unlike an art gallery, they would not take a hefty
`commission on the sales. That’s when she got the
`idea. She sold seven paintings, and gave half of the
`proceeds
`to the National Childhood Cancer
`Foundation. Lynn’s son Evan was diagnosed with
`Stage IV neuroblastoma two years ago, when he
`was four. He has been treated with seven cycles of
`chemotherapy, a 4—hour opera