Jeff Toretsky, M.D. holds many titles and has earned many awards. But, more than the titles, Jeff has been a true friend and partner to CCF for over three decades.
About Dr. Jeff Toretsky, M.D.
For the last eight years, Dr. Toretsky has chaired the CCF Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), while simultaneously serving as Division Chief of Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Hematology/Oncology at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. He received his M.D. in 1988 from the University of Minnesota, completed his residency at the Medical College of Virginia in 1991, and a fellowship at the Pediatric Oncology Branch of the National Cancer Institute at NIH in 1997. In 2002, Dr. Toretsky was recruited to Georgetown, where he was granted tenure in 2005, and achieved the rank of professor in 2011.
Dr. Toretsky’s research focuses almost exclusively on Ewing sarcoma as a disease, but has focused on many aspects of molecular biology over the past 30 years to better understand and improve treatment for patients. Dr. Toretsky co-founded Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc. which is currently enrolling patients on a clinical trial of TK216. Dr. Toretsky continues to serve as principal investigator of his NIH-funded laboratory group and as Division Chief at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. He recently stepped down from program leadership of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center after serving in that role for 10 years.
Jeff’s Impact on Our Community
In 2014, shortly before I officially joined CCF, Jeff proposed an idea to me and then President, Jerry Chadwick. The idea was to bring together leading pediatric oncologists from the local community for a Symposium, where collaboration was the key to sharing stories, hearing from patients, and engaging in valuable networking. The idea seemed simple and straightforward and yet, why was this not already being done?
I trusted Jeff and agreed that we’d give it a try. In 2016, CCF launched and hosted the first Research Symposium. Today, with generous funding from the Kahlert Foundation, CCF will be hosting our 6th Research Symposium on June 8, 2022, which is free for all attendees and open to the public.
A unique component of our event is inviting cancer fighters or their family members to participate. Hearing about personal journeys is often the most relevant component of the Symposium.
Some of these survivors or advocates who have shared their personal stories can be heard here:
Eileen Fauteux: https://youtu.be/Sjxlw3uB9LA
Will Mumford: https://youtu.be/wENUtT4XJTE
Vanessa Bishop: https://youtu.be/M2FQGsbGI9s
Alisha Bartels: https://youtu.be/4YwKq5V1FYo
CCF is proud to fund researchers from the Baltimore-Washington region and recognize the value of sharing and collaborating. For the young researchers at these institutions, the Symposium is a tremendous opportunity to meet leaders in the local pediatric oncology community.
CCF is proud to bring this vital event to the community and is grateful for Jeff’s vision, support, partnership, and friendship.
How Jeff Continues to Impact CCF Today
Jeff continues to work with patients every day, ensuring that comfort, treatment, and advances are available for all who seek his guidance. In addition to this responsibility, Jeff always has time for CCF- for my calls, emails and texts, and endless questions. We are grateful that, once again, he is overseeing our 6th Annual Research Symposium on June 8. I encourage all to join us for this free event, either in person or virtually. Register here: https://hybrid.marylandproductions.com/ccf-research-symposium/. I don’t know where he finds the time, but am grateful that he does. In Jeff I trust.
In partnership,
Tasha Museles
President
The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc.
