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The Arizona Cancer Center's Gastrointestinal Cancer Program has received a $12 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence grant from the National Cancer Institute. The center is one of only five institutions nationwide to receive a GI SPORE grant. The others are Harvard, Johns Hopkins, the University of North Carolina and Vanderbilt University.

The grant is a renewal of the center's first GI SPORE, funded in 2002. Eugene W. Gerner is director of the Arizona Cancer Center's GI Cancer Program and principal investigator for the program.

"Dr. Gerner and his research colleagues in the Arizona Cancer Center have developed one of the top five research programs in the country for the prevention and treatment of colon, pancreatic and esophageal cancers," said Dr. David S. Alberts, director of the Arizona Cancer Center. "Their research is absolutely world-class."

Highlights of the accomplishments of GI SPORE researchers during the past five years include:

● The discovery of two new GI cancer-fighting drugs and completion of a Phase I clinical trial for one of the drugs.

● Identification of a genetic marker, obtained through a blood test, for individuals likely to benefit from the colon polyp preventive action of aspirin.

● A collaborative "first-of-its-kind" study of "Barrett's esophagus," the precursor to a form of esophageal cancer, to identify markers that predict which patients with that condition will develop esophageal adenocarcinoma.

For more information on the GI SPORE, go to www.azcc.arizona.edu/grants/GI/index.htm or call 626-2277.

The annual Love Light ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday at Peppi's House, 2715 N. Wyatt Drive, a 16-bed hospice of Tucson Medical Center.

The ceremony is going into its 17th year. The free event gets its name from the white, red, green and blue lights for sale at Tucson Medical Center, 5301 E. Grant Road.

"The white lights represent loved ones that are no longer with us. The red, green and blue lights are in honor of someone special to you, family or friends," said Carson Babb, a volunteer at TMC.

Lights can be purchased for $5 each or three for $10 at the ceremony or beforehand just outside TMC's cafeteria.

All proceeds will benefit Peppi's House.

The Eastside Neighborhood Association will hold its quarterly meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Eastside City Hall, 7575 E. Speedway. Newly elected City Councilman Rodney Glassman will be introduced.

For more information or an agenda, call Frank Salbego, 296-1023.

The Rancho Esperero Home Owners Association will hold its annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Morris K. Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.

All Rancho Esperero residents are invited.