Paying It Forward: Grateful Patient Couple Donates $200,000 to Cancer Center

Chip and Joyce Tappan with Dr. Daniel Flora

Later this month, we will celebrate National Doctors’ Day, a day we honor physicians for their dedication to healing while striving to advance the science and practice of medicine. All of our lives have been impacted by the care of physicians – some more so than others. In particular, the journey of cancer patients is a challenging and emotional experience, where many form deep bonds with their oncologists.

That was the case for Chip and Joyce Tappan of Edgewood. The couple was so touched by the care they’ve received from Dr. Daniel Flora, Director of Oncology Research at the St. Elizabeth Clinical Research Institute, they contributed $200,000 to the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center in support of cancer research and treatment. The gift will be an important step toward establishing the region’s only Melanoma Center of Excellence – an endeavor Flora is spearheading.

Chip is a survivor of metastatic melanoma, and Joyce is currently in remission after having completed cancer treatments in 2003. Inspired by Flora’s passion for expanding patient opportunities to receive the latest – and potentially most effective – treatments closer to home, they were moved to invest in his vision.

“We think so much of Dr. Flora and what he’s doing for cancer patients in this community,” said Joyce. “Our hope is that this gift will not only help advance the research program but also raise awareness among our neighbors with cancer about the emerging treatment opportunities available to them right here in Northern Kentucky.”

The Oncology Research team has over 30 actively enrolling clinical trials, with hundreds of patients in long-term follow up. The institute offers trials in every phase of clinical development — including early-stage studies typically only available at academic medical centers — and is currently enrolling patients for trials of lung, breast, gynecologic and gastrointestinal cancer treatments, as well as investigations of genetic factors associated with various cancers.

“We want to ensure our patients have access to the best potential treatments for their type and stage of cancer and their individual genomic profile,” said Flora. “This means moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to more personalized, targeted therapies, which often come with fewer side effects than traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.”

According to Flora, fewer than 5% of cancer patients ever go on a clinical trial. He’d like to get that number to 20% at St. Elizabeth.

“It’s important that patients understand clinical trials aren’t just a last resort for those who have exhausted every other treatment option,” explained Flora. “For many patients, a trial is an opportunity to receive the best care from the start.

“There is a lot of promise in the treatment of melanoma,” continued Flora. “From immunotherapies to even personalized cancer vaccines, these novel treatments are curing patients with stage IV disease, which is something we’ve never done before. I am humbled and inspired by the trust the Tappans have placed in me and my team, and I’m confident this gift will help us establish a strong infrastructure for melanoma clinical trials, bringing hope to many in our community and beyond.”

Wondering how you can honor a physician while making a lasting impact in the lives of your neighbors? Contact Troy Fedders at (859) 301-2182 or troy.fedders@stelizabeth.com to learn more.