In 1993, Suzanne Berman was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a malignant sarcoma that originates from muscle. After a lengthy and tough battle, she succumbed to this disease in April, 1994 at the age of 34.  From the many people who knew and remember her, she made an indelible impression as an energetic, giving young woman with extraordinary promise.  She serves as a constant reminder to us all of the many people who have lost their lives to these "orphan" cancers. 

Suzanne's fighting spirit during her battle with cancer has served as an inspiration to others, and members of her extended family and friends have contributed to the Suzanne Berman Memorial Cancer Fund that was created by her parents, Lois and Al Lapper to promote research in sarcoma development and treatment. 

The Suzanne Berman Memorial Lectureship was, therefore, created to commemorate Suzanne's life and is intended to increase public awareness of bone and soft tissue sarcomas.  The Lectureship will bring prominent researchers and physician scientists to The University of Chicago to foster the very exchange of ideas that is needed to help develop new treatments.  Thus, the Suzanne Berman Lectureship will provide a unique forum to discuss the underlying causes of sarcomas and to develop new approaches to diagnosis and treatment of these tumors.   

List of Participants

2006:  Sean P. Scully, MD, PhD, Professor of Orthopaedics, Cell Biology and Cellular Molecular Pharmacology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL. "A Novel Mechanism of Tissue Specific Signaling in Tumor Metastasis".

2005:   Lee J. Helman, MD, Senior Principal Investigator and Head of Molecular Oncology Section in the Pediatric Oncology Branch, and the Deputy Director of The Center for Cancer Research, the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD. "mTOR Activation: A Marker of Aggressive Behavior in Pediatric Sarcomas".

2005:   Regis O'Keefe, MD, PhD, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Director of Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.  "Defining the Signals Necessary for Structural Allograft Revitalization and Remodeling: Towards Improving Outcomes Following Bone Resection".