The Head and Neck PET/MRI group at the University of Wisconsin, led by Dr. Greg Avey, has been awarded $50,000 to pursue advances in head and neck cancer imaging by The Ride, a bicycle benefit for cancer research sponsored by the UW Carbone Cancer Center. Three representatives of the PET/MRI group, Drs. Tabby Kennedy, Edward Jackson, and Matt Witek, were recognized during the Wisconsin vs Penn State hockey game earlier this month. The multidisciplinary group is composed of radiation oncologists, radiologists, and medical physicists. The goal of this research group is to find a way to leverage PET/MRI to more accurately stage and efficiently treat head and neck cancer. The group is working to identify imaging markers which predict early tumor response, thus allowing a reduction in radiation dose and a decrease in the long term side effects of radiation treatment.
The Ride first began two years ago and has raised more than half a million dollars for cancer research so far. Over 1,250 riders took part September of last year and the event shows even more promise for growth this coming Fall. The mission of the program is to advance state of the art cancer research and treatment to serve cancer patients and families in Wisconsin and beyond. 100% of the money raised by participants goes to funding promising cancer research and treatment opportunities at the University of Wisconsin. For more information see theridewi.org