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Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier and Dr. Jennifer Doudna. The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded last week to two researchers for developing a technique – akin to “genetic scissors” – that lets scientists precisely snip pieces of DNA wherever they want to. Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier of the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens in Berlin, Germany and Dr.…

IKCS 2020 will feature three special lectures: a keynote address by 2019 Nobel Laureate Dr. William G. Kaelin and two memorial lectures from the recipients of the KCA’s Andrew C. Novick Award and the Pieter de Mulder Memorial Award. IKCS 2020, to be held November 6-7, will be the first virtual symposium in the KCA’s 30-year history. It is also…

Susan Hill is a caregiver for her husband, Bruce, and a member of the KCA’s Patient and Caregiver Advisory Council (The PCAC). The PCAC serves as the voice of the patient and provides the vital link between the patient community and the KCA.  We spoke to Susan about her involvement with the KCA.  How long have you been working with…

In this three-part series, guest writer Megan Conley describes her experience with kidney cancer. Megan is a featured speaker at the KCA’s upcoming IKCS 2020 and Virtual Patient Symposium (register now). Read part one: “For Megan Conley, an Unexpected Diagnosis”. Read part three - "Life after kidney cancer will be different." I finally had a diagnosis – chromophobe renal cell…

Noah Buntman is the treasurer of the KCA's Board of Directors and currently works as the Product Operations Manager at Apple. We spoke with Noah about what motivated him to join our Board of Directors. What motivated you to get involved with the Kidney Cancer Association?I had not heard of kidney cancer or known anyone affected by the disease until…

In this three-part series, guest writer Megan Conley describes her experience with kidney cancer. Megan is a featured speaker at the KCA's upcoming IKCS 2020 and Virtual Patient Symposium (register now). Read part two - "How much we take for granted." Read part three - "Life after kidney cancer will be different." Megan Conley and her husband. My husband and…

Bruce Hill is a kidney cancer patient and a member of the KCA’s Patient and Caregiver Advisory council, which serves as the voice of the patient and provides the vital link between the patient community and the KCA.   We spoke to Bruce about his work with the KCA.  How long have you been working with the KCA and what motivated you…

 Startled by a change in his urine color, 44-year-old Chapmann brought up his concern to his wife Cindy, who is an ER nurse. Cindy mentioned the idea of kidney stones and assured her husband that all was okay since he had no pain. However, Cindy also encouraged Chapmann to schedule a doctor appointment.  After returning home from a volleyball game…

Here are some of the studies presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology’s recent virtual congress that grabbed our attention. Nivolumab plus cabozantinib could be a new first-line treatment option People with advanced or metastatic kidney cancer who were treated with the novel combination of the PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab (Opdivo) plus the cabozantinib (Cabometyx) lived longer and without…

As the KCA’s communications intern, I’ve gotten the chance to learn, grow, and connect to others. I’ve been able to discover how nonprofits work and learn from coworkers who are extremely passionate about what they do. My six-month internship is winding down and it’s a great opportunity to look back at the last half year.  I have gotten the chance…