The woman who’s led the Susan G. Komen N.C. Triangle to the Coast chapter is now leading an initiative that’s bringing UNC and Duke together to find a cure for metastatic breast cancer, all while fighting the disease herself. Pam Kohl is this weeks “Everyday Hero.”
MORRISVILLE N.C. -- For the past eight years, Pam Kohl has been the leader of these meetings, serving as the executive director of Susan G. Komen, North Carolina Triangle to the Coast chapter.
Kohl brings a lot to this table -- an unmatched passion, strong leadership, and cutting edge ideas. Her latest groundbreaking concept was just announced at the chapter's annual research luncheon. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Research Collaborative Initiative will bring Komen, Duke, and UNC together to fast track research to find a cure.
For Kohl- the mission is personal.
“For me, living with stage four, never knowing when I’m going to be in treatment, the amount of doctors appointments I have to go to,” Kohl explained. “That’s really spending some time trying to figure out, how do I live my life in this circumstance and how do I balance work and family and creating memories and all of those things? What is the most value that I can bring right now in these circumstances? It’s clear to me that where I want to put my talent, my energy, everything is on finding the cures."
Kohl was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer nearly three years ago, after first battling breast cancer in 2009. Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage four, is cancer that spreads to other organs. It kills more than 40,000 men and women every year.
"I know this sounds kind of weird, but for me, somebody who my entire career has worked to try to make a difference, to have stage four and to be able to come to work everyday and work on this is an honor and a privledge and it totally inspires me and energizes me,” Kohl said.
Kohl will no longer be serving as the executive director for the chapter, so all of her energy can go to this new initiative, which she came up with a year ago.
“I’m thinking, we’ve got Duke and UNC right here! Can we figure out a way to designate funds, here in North Carolina that would say-- if the two of you work together on a project, you can apply for these funds. That was thinking outside of the box. But the more everyone thought about it, it’s like, let’s try it."
Kohl's inspiration and determination -- bringing this idea to life.
"I think she has not let her personal situation or any barrier, be a block to making this happen,” said Lori Maris, the Senior Vice President, Affiliate Network for Susan G. Komen. “ It’s like, there’s a challenge? Let’s problem solve. Let’s get to the next component and I think these days, sometimes it’s easier for people to say, that’s too hard. But Pam never says it’s too hard. She just goes- ok, let’s try to figure that out."
Kohl points to this picture in her office as inspiration—a group of children building a rainbow out of bricks.“That’s what my life is, bringing people together to do something, meet a dream, have a goal that’s sustainable. And creating an opportunity to collaborate with institutions like Duke and UNC will really help us do something sustainable,” Kohl said. “I’m going to build that rainbow out of bricks!"
Kohl starts her new role in January and is looking forward to making more memories with her family, in addition to finding a cure.
She was originally beat breast cancer in 2009, before it metasticized. She’s been able to stay on the same treatment for three years.
“The average slowing for progression for this particular regiment is 26 months and I’m beyond that, so that’s great,” Kohl said. “But my last scan showed a new met, or a tumor. And because of where it was we weren’t able to biopsy it to see if my cancer has changed. So we had to make some decisions, so I just finished 10 days of very strategic, intense radiation to hopefully zap that tumor. Hopefully that will enable me to stay on my therapy.” Kohl goes back for another scan in January.
She encourages women to be your own advocate, get your mammograms, and if you think something is wrong-- speak up.
Press release from Susan G. Komen Triangle to the Coast on new initiative--
Susan G. Komen® North Carolina Triangle to the Coast introduces New Metastatic Breast Cancer Research Initiative
RALEIGH, NC (December 5, 2019) – Susan G. Komen® North Carolina Triangle to the Coast announced today at its sixth Annual Finding Solutions Research Luncheon the introduction of a groundbreaking project, the first of its kind, bringing together Susan G. Komen® and two of the world’s most renowned cancer centers to accelerate “bench to bedside” research on metastatic breast cancer.
“Death from metastatic breast cancer is unacceptable. Now is the time to focus on the only breast cancer that kills. Research is hope for those fighting metastatic breast cancer today, and for those who will be diagnosed tomorrow,” shared Pam Kohl, executive director at Komen NC Triangle to the Coast (NCTC).
In 2016, Susan G. Komen® set its “Bold Goal” to reduce breast cancer deaths in the U.S by 50 percent by 2026. The leading cause of breast cancer death is metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
“Today, the five-year survival rate for metastatic breast cancer is twenty-five percent. There is a unique opportunity in the Triangle area to provide breakthrough research at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill targeted specifically at metastatic breast cancer,” said Lori Maris, Senior Vice President, Affiliate Network at Susan G. Komen.
During today’s event, Maris made the special announcement to a sold-out audience of over 300, including researchers, survivors, individuals living with metastatic disease, corporate and private philanthropists, and others impacted by the disease.
“Not only is breakthrough research needed to help us reach our Bold Goal at Komen, but it is also critical for increasing the current rate of survivorship of those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. We are inspired by the leadership of the Komen NC Triangle to the Coast affiliate to develop and lead this game-changing initiative,” added Maris, who provides guidance and direction to the Komen global headquarters team and local Affiliate leadership.
The MBC Research Initiative will ignite collaboration and fast track lifesaving research for MBC. By leveraging local expertise and removing research silos that slow progress, new ways for patients to live well and longer will be discovered. This strategy will be led by Pam Kohl, who will move from eight years as executive director of Komen NCTC to become the Affiliate’s director of the metastatic breast cancer initiative.
“It is research that will cure this disease, and until then, it is research that will transform metastatic breast cancer from terminal to chronic, giving patients and their families the priceless gift of time,” said Kohl, adding, “I am honored to lead this unique opportunity. Working together with the brilliant minds at UNC and Duke, we can have a global impact that begins right here in the Research Triangle.”
“We are so pleased to launch this one-of-a-kind initiative which we believe will move the needle in reducing breast cancer deaths across our state and around the globe. With Pam’s strategic vision and passion for research, this initiative will help us find the cures for the most aggressive and deadliest forms of breast cancer,” said Valencia Davis, president of the Board of Directors at Komen NCTC.
The board will immediately conduct a national search for a new executive director. Krista Park Berry, the Affiliate’s Director of Development and Communications, will serve as acting director during the interim. In addition, an anonymous early investor in the MBC Challenge has committed $50,000 a year for two years to support the development of this initiative.
MBC is an advance (stage IV) of breast cancer where tumor cells have spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs or brain. In the U.S., it's estimated that at least 154,000 people have MBC. This year, more than 42,000 women and men will die from breast cancer.
To learn more about the new Metastatic Breast Cancer Challenge Initiative, contact Pam Kohl at (919) 493-2873.