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Karen Knudsen: Honoring an Unsung Chemist, Dora Richardson, Who Transformed Cancer Care

Karen Knudsen/LinkedIn

Dec 2, 2024, 12:23

Karen Knudsen: Honoring an Unsung Chemist, Dora Richardson, Who Transformed Cancer Care

Thanksgiving was on Thursday, November 28, 2024. On this occasion, physicians worldwide have expressed their gratitude for several key aspects. Karen Knudsen, Executive Strategic Advisor and Immediate Past CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS), shared a post on LinkedIn on this occasion:

“As we approach Thanksgiving here in the USA, the season of gratitude invites us to reflect on those whose quiet brilliance has profoundly transformed lives.

Today, I am especially grateful for Dr. Dora Richardson, a chemist and unsung hero who developed tamoxifen—a revolutionary drug that has saved countless lives in the fight against breast cancer. As detailed in this compelling article, Dr. Richardson pursued her research under challenging conditions, conducting her work in secret to advance this life-saving breakthrough. Although not the fertility drug her lab was hoping for, what was observed was stunning: “After 10 weeks, tamoxifen had shrunk tumors substantially in 40 of those women, with very few side effects. This was truly a breakthrough moment. No chemo, no surgery. Just anti-estrogen drug therapy. The research team was elated.”

Decades later, tamoxifen’s impact stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication, ingenuity, and refusal to give up—even in the face of limited resources. Her story is a powerful reminder that the progress we benefit from today rests on investment in research, and on the shoulders of individuals whose perseverance and passion change the course of history.

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for heroes like Dr. Richardson and the countless others whose names may not be widely known but whose contributions save lives every day.

Who are the scientific heroes you’re grateful for?

Let’s take a moment to honor their legacies and celebrate the transformative power of science.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Read more.“

Karen E. Knudsen is the Executive Strategic Advisor and Immediate Past CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Prior to joining ACS, Dr. Knudsen served as executive vice president of Oncology Services and enterprise director for Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health. She also served as president for the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and on the board of directors of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). She serves on the board of advisors for the National Cancer Institute and on 12 external advisory boards for NCI-designated cancer centers. She is an active member of several committees with the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), in addition to serving on other academic and for-profit advisory boards.

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