After being diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2007, Steve Lee has since turned to running in order to raise money for mesothelioma research. At 65 years old, Mr. Lee recently ran a half marathon with his club, the Reading Roadrunners, and raised more than $62,000.
There are very few treatments available to malignant mesothelioma patients and none provide a definitive cure. Mr. Lee hopes the funds raised by running can help researchers establish more effective treatments for future patients.
The money being raised is currently being used to fund research at Queen Mary, University of London. The researchers have begun synthesizing a naturally-occurring compound believed to kill mesothelioma cells. The university is building on work conducted by Japanese scientists, which involves the JBIR-23 molecule, a strain of the streptomyces bacteria.
Dr. Adrian Dobbs, an organic chemist who is supervising the project, said, “They were just looking at it as a natural product that had a very unusual chemical structure and it was a side feature that they happened to report that it was toxic against mesothelioma cells.”
During a visit at Queen Mary’s facilities, Mr. Lee said, “Up till now the prospects for anyone with mesothelioma have been pretty grim and dire, so any glimmer of hope of a treatment is just wonderful. It’s great to be able to meet those involved and ask them things about the research.”
Also working on the project is Seble Lemma, a Ph.D. student. The university has generously matched the sum raised by Mr. Lee and his club.
Although the work and testing may take several years to complete, Mr. Lee does not mind that he may not benefit from the results. He said, “I’m simply glad that my efforts have contributed in some small way towards helping future sufferers.”
Additional information on mesothelioma may be found through the mesothelioma Center.