The Norris Cotton Cancer Center (NCCC) is one of only 28 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. Most of these institutions are located in or near the nation's major population centers.
In contrast, the NCCC is situated in the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River, surrounded by the fields, forests and hills of northern New England. For all its rural atmosphere, however, the Upper Valley is also the site of one of the nation's most distinguished education institutions - Dartmouth College and its associated graduate schools of medicine, engineering, and business administration. The Cancer Center is a part of this community and benefits from its rich and varied intellectual resources as well as the natural beauty of its environment.

When the growth of white blood cells goes out of control, the condition is refeerred to as leukemia. Since there are several types of white cells and a number ofways that growth control can go wrong, one can see that leukemia can take many different forms. Some forms are acute; that is, they progress rapidly to cause death unless successfully treated. Other forms are chronic and may not require treatment for a number of years.

Leukemia causes 5-10 deaths for each 100,000 in the population each year. About 3% of an cancers take the form of leukemia. Although leukemia is often viewed as a disease of children, where it is the most common cancer, its frequency in the adult population is much higher. Because other cancers occur with greater frequency in adults, leukemia is simply "less visible" in adults than in children.

Major strides have been made in the last 25 years. More than one-half of all children with acute leukemia are cured by treatment. More recently, important advances have been made in the treatment of acute leukemia in adults. About 30% of adults may be cured with currently available therapies. The percentage of people with leukemia who are cured is increasing steadily as the results of leukemia research are incorporated into new treatments.
Here, over 100 cancer researchers with more than $16 million in annual grant support from the National Cancer Institute, pursue a wide range of research into cancer-its causes, prevention, and treatment. Included in this research are tests of new drugs for treatment ofleukemia, studies of how certain viruses cause leukemia in mice, studies of leukemia genes, and many other research projects that will eventually benefit the patient with leukemia.

It was over 20 years ago that a Waldron C.Biggs first came to 0. Ross McIntyre, the Director of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and inquired about the leukemia research in progress here. A few weeks later, he returned with a modest check from the York Cross of Honour Research Foundation. That check was the first. And for each year since, a contribution has arrived.
From this modest beginning, these annual checks have grown to amounts that can support the purchase of a major piece of scientific equipment, a year's worth of scientific supplies; or the salary of a young leukemia researcher.

Waldron C. Biggs was always welcomed at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. This invitation is extended to all Knights York Cross of Honour. If you or your family are ever in the area, stop at the Center to see the exacting scientific work in progress.

A Director's Message
I would like to thank the York Cross of Honour Research Foundation for its many years of support for our research in leukemia. In my many annual reports to the foundation, I have provided descriptions of the advances we have made in the treatment of leukemia. Over the last 20 years, the number of adults with acute leukemia who are cured of their disease has risen. For those under 60 years of age we are approaching a 30%cure rate. This is by no means good enough, but it represents remarkable progress in a disease that was previously incurable.
In the future, I see methods of preventing leukemia based upon a better understanding of its causes and new, less toxic, more curative treatments based on methods that reverse the leukemia change in cells. For these advances to occur, there must be continued progress in basis research. Only by areal understanding of the nature of leukemia will we be able to improve prevention and treatment. The financial support of the York Cross of Honour Research Foundation has been of immense help to our investigators as they pioneer new laboratory research that helps us on our way to our goal. The support is wonderful, and we appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Sincerely yours,
Director, Norris Cotton Cancer Center

He is a Master Mason who has served as Worshipful Master of his Symbolic Lodge, High Priest of his Royal Arch Chapter, Thrice Illustrious Master of his Council of Royal and Select Masters and Commander of his Commandery.
As such he contributes a great deal of time, effort and money to many charities and charitable organizations. Often he is very active in community and religious affairs, working with youth organizations, Boy and Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls, Demolay and Job's Daughters. In conjunction with other Masons, he sponsors Little Leagues, Wheel Chair Olympics and other youth sports organizations. They also serve in veteran hospitals, providing assistance and small luxuries for those who have sacrificed much for their country. They work on fund raising drives of all types for various charitable organizations, both national and local and if able donate blood, witout seeking personal recognition.


Will you join us in our special work with the Norris Cotton Cancer Center
by adding this cause to your list of donations?
If you are able to help us, please make checks payable to:
Knights York Cross of Honour Medical Research Foundation and send to:
Kenneth D. Buckley, PGMG
PO Box 656 Beggs OK 74421-0656
Phone (918) 267-4522, FAX (918)-267-4643
E-mail: Kbuck600@aol.com
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