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Sklar Endowment for Colon and Rectal Cancer
In June, 1992 local businessman and philanthropist, Albert Sklar, saw a need for locally funded efforts to promote colon and rectal cancer awareness among physicians and the public. Together with his wife, Miriam, family and friends, he started the Sklar Endowment for Colon and Rectal Cancer as a 501C3 plan. Mr. Sklar had a long profesional and personal relationship with Dr. Whitney Boggs and chose the partners of Dr. Boggs' medical practice, Colon and Rectal Associates, to be directors of the endowment.
Due to the vision of Albert Sklar and his wife, Miriam, along with his family and friends, a local and national impact is being made against colon and rectal cancer. Through their generosity, a three-prong attack using 1) professional education, 2) public education, and 3) research will continue to make efforts to diminish the effects of colon and rectal cancer.
3 goals for use of the funds were initially stated.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
An approved residency program in colon and rectal surgical training was started in 1976 through the offices of Colon and Rectal Associates and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Since that time, colon and rectal surgeons have been trained yearly and now are dispersed in practices throughout the United States.
Availability of Sklar funds has made it possible to bring nationally known leaders in the field of colon and rectal surgery to Shreveport to teach colon and rectal surgery residents, general surgery residents and medical students. Also, opportunities are available for general surgery residents who express an interest in colorectal surgery to attend national meetings, and along with colon and rectal surgery residents are encouraged to present original papers based on clinical practice or research.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Mr. Sklar felt that the public should be more aware of the subtle signs and symptons of colorectal cancer as well as the fact that these may be asymptomatic. He felt information relating to prevention or early identification of the disease through screening should be promoted to the public.
Mass screening projects have been done on numerous occasions in Northwest Louisiana. Educational messages are routinely aired on local TV and radio stations. Frequent newspaper information articles are run stating the signs and symptons of colorectal cancer and emphasizing the need for colon screening procedure. Billboards are used during National Colon Cancer Awareness month each year to promote the same message. Educational pamphlets are given to patients and local physicians to promote awareness.
RESEARCH
Knowledge concerning the cause and behavior of colorectal cancer is being gained daily in research labs. Surgery is currently the primary treatment of this disease, but many patients benefit from preoperative or postoperative treatments with chemotherapy and/or radiation. The ideal treatment has yet to be found. Research concerning the nature of colorectal cancer is seeking this ideal treatment through the understanding of the biology, genetics and behavior of cancer in the laboratory as well as in clinical practice.
Basic research is expensive. The Sklar Foundation continues to provide money for expenses involved in research done through the Colon and Rectal Associates and the Department of Surgery at LSUHSC. Each year, papers from these research efforts are presented for discussion and dissemination of information at regional and national meetings. Articles are published in peer review publications for further distribution of information to medical personnel. |
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