October 2026
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Innovation has the power to transform lives, especially when it creates new possibilities for patients facing complex health challenges. In this edition of Philanthropy in Action, you’ll meet JaneyGrace, who found relief from chronic back pain through a groundbreaking clinical trial at HonorHealth Research Institute. Her story illustrates how research and compassionate care can help patients reclaim their quality of life. You’ll also learn about a significant advancement in pancreatic cancer treatment and HonorHealth’s role in bringing promising therapies to patients before they become widely available. These breakthroughs reflect our ongoing commitment to advancing medicine and expanding access to leading-edge care. As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are reminded that progress is made possible through the collective efforts of patients, healthcare professionals, researchers and generous supporters. Thank you for helping create a future filled with possibilities for those we serve. With gratitude, |
Dear friends,
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Engineer treated at HonorHealth Research Institute is second in U.S. to undergo new clinical trial procedure JaneyGrace, a 33-year-old mechanical engineer from Los Angeles who designs electronics for communication satellites, was understandably concerned when faced with the prospect of back surgery for a degenerative disc between the L4 and L5 vertebrae, in the lumbar region of her lower back. She was especially anxious since the procedure she was considering had only been tried once before in the U.S. “The decision to do the surgery weighed on me very, very heavily,” said JaneyGrace, who had been selected to participate a new clinical trial at HonorHealth Research Institute, testing the safety and effectiveness of an artificial disc implant. “Everyone (elsewhere) seemed to have a horror story about their back surgery,” she recalled. And the procedure being part of a trial only added to her fears. “That was a large part of the trepidation and uneasiness that contributed to it being a difficult decision,” she said. First diagnosed with a deteriorating disc in July 2022, JaneyGrace had already tried physical therapy and steroid injections, and was running out of options to alleviate the mounting pain in her back, caused by a loss of the jelly-like material that acts like a cushion between the bones of the spine. “The pain was getting a lot worse and was really starting to impact my mood, my day-to-day life,” she said, adding that it felt extreme to have a disc replaced. “But I was in a lot of pain, and I just wanted to get another opinion.” About a year ago, JaneyGrace eventually saw a Santa Monica physician, well-known for disc-replacement surgery, who recommended she see Luis Tumialan, MD, an Arizona State University School of Medicine and Medical Engineering neurosurgeon who specializes in spine and neurosurgery as part of the HonorHealth Research Institute’s Neuroscience Research Division. JaneyGrace was an ideal candidate for the procedure, which is intended for those between 25 and 50 years old. For years, physicians have either fused the vertebrae, limiting motion, or inserted a substitute artificial disc, which is a more extensive surgery. The new procedure uses silicone to repressurize the disc, thereby alleviating the mechanical compression and decreasing pain. This makes for a less invasive approach that preserves the outer part of the disc, maintains mobility and restores functionality while preventing any further deterioration of the spine. After doing research and reading about the success of the procedure in Europe and South America, JaneyGrace was reassured by the rigorous testing the device had undergone. “That was the one positive data point that gave me some comfort in deciding to do it,” she said. The simplicity of this one-visit procedure allows the patient to go home and resume most normal activities the same day. Dr. Tumialan performed JaneyGrace’s procedure at the end of last year and while she still had some residual pain for a few months, that has mostly subsided and she is back to doing more activities, even golf, which she had practiced since childhood. She’s now engaged to be married and is planning a wedding soon. “Before the surgery I couldn’t walk more than about a half mile without being in a ton of pain,” JaneyGrace said. Now, she’s able to get out and on her feet without any restriction. “I feel a lot better. It’s like night and day, compared to before I had the surgery.” She’s still building back her strength but feels like she is making good progress and is thankful for all the help she received at the Research Institute: “I had a wonderful experience with HonorHealth. I had a fabulous coordinator who was absolutely wonderful to work with. Very, very comforting. “I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Tumialan himself and his staff. They were all super, super attentive. I feel so incredibly lucky that I found out about and got to do the surgery, and that I’ve had so much success from it. I know that is not guaranteed. I’m so incredibly thankful.” |
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Fueling the Future of Cancer Care For patients facing pancreatic cancer, innovation can mean something profoundly important: another option and renewed hope. That is why a recent milestone in cancer treatment is so meaningful, not only for patients but also for the donors who help make medical innovation possible at HonorHealth Research Institute. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Rasonque (daraxonrasib), a once-daily targeted therapy for certain patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. In a large clinical trial, patients who received the treatment lived nearly twice as long, on average, as those who received standard chemotherapy. Long before the therapy received FDA approval, HonorHealth Research Institute was already helping bring this promising treatment to patients. As one of the first centers in the country selected to participate in an expanded access program, HonorHealth was able to offer the investigational therapy to eligible patients months before it became widely available. That early access not only provided a new treatment option for patients with advanced disease but also allowed HonorHealth’s pancreatic cancer team to gain valuable experience with a therapy that is now changing the treatment landscape. “Daraxonrasib is the first medication to demonstrate success targeting KRAS, a genetic mutation found in more than 90% of pancreatic cancers,” said Erkut Borazanci, MD, director of oncology at HonorHealth Research Institute. “Its effectiveness opens the door for more targeted strategies against pancreatic and other cancers in the future.” This type of breakthrough does not happen in isolation. It requires world-class researchers, clinical expertise, infrastructure and the ability to participate in leading-edge research opportunities. Philanthropic support helps make that environment possible, enabling HonorHealth Research Institute to remain at the forefront of discovery and bring promising innovations to patients sooner. Today, because of that commitment to innovation, HonorHealth patients have access to a team already experienced in delivering this newly approved therapy. More importantly, they have access to a research community dedicated to advancing the next generation of cancer treatments. Thanks to the generosity of donors, HonorHealth continues to help turn research into hope, and hope into healing. Support the HonorHealth Pancreatic Cancer Research Program.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month A breast cancer diagnosis can change a life in an instant, but early detection and compassionate support can make all the difference. Patients like Mary are a powerful reminder of the hope and healing made possible through exceptional care and the dedication of those who stand beside them every step of the way. Thanks to our generous donors, HonorHealth continues to advance cancer care, support patients and families and invest in innovative treatments that improve lives. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are grateful for the support helping bring comfort and strength to those facing breast cancer.
Artists of Scottsdale Ranch Fundraiser for Tina’s Treasures Each year, the Artists of Scottsdale Ranch host an art show and silent auction to support Tina’s Treasures Cancer Care Boutique at the HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, helping ensure women facing cancer recovery have access to essential post-surgery products, specialized apparel and compassionate support services. Mark your calendar now for next year's show: January 30 and 31, 2027. Learn more and support the Artists of Scottsdale Ranch Fundraiser
Morning of Gold individual tickets are now available! Join your friends, colleagues and community members for a morning of hope and inspiration in support of HonorHealth Desert Mission. A limited number of individual Morning of Gold tickets are now available — but act fast; they won't last! Fantastic sponsorship opportunities are also available from $5,000 to $250,000, and each opportunity includes at least one table for 10 guests. Through the Desert Mission Food Bank, Lincoln Learning Center, Adult Day Health Care and Living Well program, people of all ages are served by Desert Mission — and it's your support that helps make it all possible! Desert Mission Morning of Gold Purchase Morning of Gold tickets or sponsorships
Save the date for The Honor Ball – 50th Anniversary Event With its rich history and 50-year legacy of exceptional philanthropy, The Honor Ball is one of the Valley’s most anticipated galas. Our guests have come to love The Honor Ball’s cocktail reception, dinner and dancing. Please mark your calendar for an evening to remember! The Honor Ball – 50th Anniversary Event Learn more about The Honor Ball
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