Professor Tessa Holyoake Memorial - please post your tribute!
The CML community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Tessa Holyoake.
Prof. Holyoake, was a world-leader on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) achieving outstanding results in CML. Through her research she developed methods to purify the cells of leukaemia patients. Her most recent study analysed both CML and normal blood stem cells and the key to the survival of CML stem cells. The team led by Prof. Holyoake then developed a drug combination to simultaneously target these critical proteins and kill the CML stem cells.
Last month Prof Holyoake was awarded a Royal Society of Edinburgh Royal Medal by the Queen of Britain for recognition of her contribution to the field of Life Sciences by her discovery of the existence of cancer stem cells in CML and her development of a new therapy for this condition.
Tell us your tribute to Tessa now!
Through this page, we ask you to express your sympathies, to communicate your condolences and testimonials including your memories, thoughts and prayers. With your heartfelt messages we will compose an International Memorial Book honouring our admired and brilliant Professor Tessa Holyoake. Prof Tessa was a brilliant scientist and clinician and she will be sorely missed.
Please, post your tribute and/or memories in the left side also feel free to add any photos with your message. We will use your tributes and photos in a Memorial Book.
If you have any questions or trouble, please feel free to email us at
Images: www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk; www.twitter.com
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
also called: Chronic Myelogeneous Leukemia
A chronic disease of the blood and bone marrow that results from a transformation of a stem cell.
Stem cells
Stem cells are cells that have the potential to develop into many different types of cell in the body including red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes) as well as platelets (thrombocytes). Stem cells are formed in bone marrow and also in blood.
Stem cells usually come from two main sources: embryos and adult tissue. Embryonic stem cells can multiply and differentiate and ultimately form the entire organism whereas adult stem cells are generally thought to have limited ability to differentiate based on their tissue of origin. They are able to regenerate cells from their original organ.
Chronic
Long-lasting, slowly developping
Protein
A large molecule composed of over 100 amino acids or peptides.
ECOG
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Index to classify the quality of life of cancer patients on a scale ranging from 0 (fully active, able to carry on all predisease activities without restriction) to 5 (death).
Also often referred to as ECOG performance status.
CML
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, also called Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
A chronic disease of the blood and bone marrow that results from a transformation of a stem cell.
CHR
Abbreviation for Complete Hematologic Response. The blood cell count has returned to normal, and tests don’t show any immature white blood cells. Also, the spleen has returned to a normal size if it was enlarged.
