The TSET Board of Directors has voted to renew a $5.5 million annual grant to the Stephenson Cancer Center for the next five years to support the TSET Cancer Research Program. The grant will continue to support the cancer center’s efforts to earn National Cancer Institute designation, provide cutting-edge treatment and support research for adult and pediatric cancers in Oklahoma.

The TSET Board of Directors approved the grant at the March meeting.

This is TSET’s second five-year grant to the Stephenson Cancer Center, which is expected to apply for National Cancer Institute designation this spring. Oklahoma has the 7th highest per capita cancer death rate.

TSET support has been the most important source of funding in developing the SCC into a nationally recognized cancer research center, supporting:

• Major research partnerships with other Oklahoma organizations 
• Recruitment of new researchers to Oklahoma
• Leveraged institutional dollars
• New dollars to Oklahoma
• Patient access to new drugs through clinical trials.

Learn more about TSET's partnership with the Stephenson Cancer Center by watching this video.

The Oklahoma TSET Phase I Clinical Trials Program at the Stephenson Cancer Center is not only helping Oklahomans gain access to the most advanced targeted therapies, but is providing care to those from out of state as well. 

Gail Stover is battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma and travels 300 miles from Missouri to participate in the clinical trials program.

“It’s real simple: The doctors gave me three months to live. Now I drive down here once a week and they gave me back my life.” Stover said.

To learn more, read the full NewsOK story here. 

The TSET Board of Directors has awarded a Healthy District Incentive Grant in the amount of $3,000 to Colcord Public Schools. 

The district plans on using the funds to improve the safety of the student pick-up area, sidewalk repair and to add fencing and an entrance gate.

Grants are awarded to schools that have implemented key strategies to increase healthy opportunities for employees and students.

Mother’s Day is a time when mothers reflect on the important role they have in influencing their children’s lives. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is encouraging Oklahoma moms who smoke to consider quitting this Mother’s Day for their health and their children’s health.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline will be offering all mothers, both smokers and nonsmokers, tips on how to protect their children from the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke:

• If you smoke, call 1-800-QUIT NOW or visit OKhelpline.com to learn more about the nonjudgmental, supportive services offered through the Helpline.
• Protect your child from secondhand smoke by avoiding places that allow smoking.
• Maintain an entirely tobacco-free home and car.
• Educate your children about the dangers of smoking and tobacco use at an early age.
• Ask your child about their friends’ attitudes towards tobacco. Discuss peer pressure and how to deal with it.