[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/sows-ear-cover.jpg”]A folksy reminiscence about the life of an Ontario veterinarian will be used to contribute to the fight against breast cancer.

Sow's Ear to Silk Purse: Anecdotes from the Life of a Veterinarian, chronicles Blake Graham's rise from Sarnia farmboy to Great Lakes stevedore to Toronto veterinarian, offering an often humorous glimpse of life in post-war Ontario. Proceeds from the book will benefit a cancer research fund set up in 1995 by Graham in memory of his wife, Barbara, who died of breast cancer. Graham donated $200,000 each to McMaster University and the Ontario Veterinary College for collaborative cancer research.

“Dr. Graham was aware of cancer research being done at McMaster using new approaches to develop therapeutic intervention in breast and skin cancer,” said Jack Gauldie, professor of pathology and molecular medicine at McMaster University. “He was also aware we had collaborated with the oncology veterinarians at the Ontario Veterinary College. His generous offer of financial support allowed these two groups to expand the work we did together, targeting both human and animal cancers. The result was outstanding, allowing over the years the generation of important preliminary data showing the potential of this new immunotherapy, leading to significant new grant support from several agencies, and directly to the eventual human clinical trials in breast cancer we are undertaking today. These outcomes can be directly attributed to the initial support and encouragement provided by Dr. Graham.”

The book launch will take place Monday, April 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Lifetime Learning Centre Room 1707 B&C, at the University of Guelph. Roger Trull, vice-president University Advancement, will represent McMaster University. The event will be hosted by Alastair Summerlee, president of the University of Guelph.

Sow's Ear to Silk Purse Anecdotes from the Life of a Veterinarian, is available at Titles, McMaster University's bookstore. To order, call 905-525-9140 ext. 22630, or go online at http://titles.mcmaster.ca/.