Month: May 2014

UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center to Receive $170,000

San Diego, CA – The Vision of Children Foundation (VOC) will present UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center with a $170,000 check to aid in research on rare and aggressive breast cancer. The money represents half of the funds raised at a Holiday High Tea event that featured Ann Romney as the keynote speaker. VOC is using the other half to bolster its research on finding cures for hereditary vision disorders. The check will be presented on May 27, 2014 at 3 p.m. at Moores Cancer Center. Media should check in at the security desk in the lobby.

The survival rate for patients with rare and aggressive breast cancer is less than 50 percent over five years. Certain dormant tumor cells hidden in the body can metastasize, or spread, even years after the successful removal of a breast tumor. Such tumor dormancy in breast cancer remains poorly understood, thus presenting challenges to both experimental investigation and clinical management of breast cancer. Moores Cancer Center will direct the funds to research being conducted by Jing Yang, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Pediatrics at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, who hopes to uncover the signaling pathways that control breast tumor metastasis during dormancy.

“Funding transformative research, like that of Dr. Yang, will lead to breakthroughs in cancer care that will help us save the lives of loved ones right here in San Diego and around the world,” said Scott M. Lippman, MD, Director of UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. “At a time when there are fewer dollars available for cancer research, community support like that of Vision of Children is helping us to continue to move leading-edge research from the bench to the bedside.”

More than 600 guests attended the holiday fundraiser, called “Visions of Success – From Research to Reality,” at the Grand Del Mar on December 9, 2013. Romney, a breast cancer survivor, health advocate and dedicated supporter of vision health, spoke about the critical need for medical research to cure breast cancer and vision diseases. The event was spearheaded by VOC’s Co-Founder Vivian Hardage and Wanda Garner. Garner, a cancer workshop facilitator and philanthropic fundraiser, and her husband, biotech leader, Cam Garner, are strong supporters of medical research efforts in San Diego.

Hardage conceived the joint fundraiser as a way to raise awareness about the importance of medical research to find cures for breast cancer and genetic eye disorders, two causes that hit particularly close to her heart. She and her husband, Sam Hardage, founded VOC in 1991, after their son Chase was diagnosed with ocular albinism type 1. She is a three-time breast-cancer survivor who worked closely with the American Cancer Society to ensure that the funds would be used by a San Diego research institution. “I’ve personally experienced the quality of care and witnessed the caliber of the research at Moores Cancer Center,” she said. “We are thrilled to be able to contribute to such a worthy institution. Research, such as that being performed by Dr. Yang, is critical to finding a cure.”

The event was underwritten by Title Sponsor Papa Doug Manchester, real estate developer and publisher of the U-T San Diego. Other key sponsors included: Midway Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram; Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels; Life Technologies; Dr. Seuss Fund at the San Diego Foundation; and Fashion Valley.

The following people are expected to attend the check presentation on May 27:

  • Wanda Garner, Co-Chair, Visions of Success
  • Samuel A. Hardage, Chairman, Vision of Children Foundation
  • Vivian L. Hardage, Co-Chair, Visions of Success
  • Andria Kinnear – Executive Director, Vision of Children Foundation
  • Dr. Scott M. Lippman, Director, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
  • Papa Doug Manchester, Publisher
  • Dr. Barbara Parker, Deputy Director for Clinical Affairs, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
  • Jennifer Berg Sobotka – Vice President, Corporate and Distinguished Partners, American Cancer Society California Division
  • Dr. Jing Yang, Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Pediatrics, UC San Diego Researcher at Moores Cancer Center

Established in 1991, the Vision of Children Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to curing hereditary childhood blindness and other vision disorders, and improving the quality of life of visually impaired children and their families www.visionofchildren.org

Established in 1978, the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is one of just 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States, and the only one in the San Diego region. Such centers are prominent among the leading institutions in the nation dedicated to scientific innovation and clinical excellence. This designation is reserved for centers with the highest achievements in cancer research, clinical care, education and community contributions. Studies show that outcomes are better at NCI-designated centers. www.cancer.ucsd.edu

U-T San Diego Campaign Succeeds In Raising $1,000,000,

San Diego, CA  – May 22, 2014 –  A project that began with a birthday cake, candles, and a large challenge to the community will close this Thursday with  applause for a job well done, goals met, and a community united. U-T San Diego’s Finish The Fight campaign launched with a pledge by senior leadership of the news organization to raise $1 million in support of the Society’s mission to fund research toward the defeat of cancer, while easing suffering and raising awareness. One year later, the precedent-setting campaign is a success on all accounts. The campaign exceeded goal, increased awareness of the Society’s mission, and forged new community ties between a variety of groups.

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U-T San Diego Takes Next Step in Video Evolution

All-Digital, On-Demand Format to Keep U-T San Diego on Industry’s Cutting Edge

SAN DIEGO (February 19, 2014) – U-T San Diego is revamping U-T TV, moving away from the traditional broadcast mode of operation and embracing a 100 percent digital model.
As of tomorrow, Feb. 20, 2014, U-T TV will no longer broadcast on Cox Cable Channel 114 and ATT / U-verse Channel 17 and 1017. Instead, it will make programming available exclusively on utsandiego.com and uttv.com. This enhanced content is designed to be accessed on any digital device, including computers, tablets and smartphones.
“The move toward an all-digital format is the next evolution for U-T TV,” said U-T San Diego, president and COO, Mike Hodges. “We will continue to innovate our market-leading news report on video and digital platforms, continuing the entrepreneurial spirit in which we launched this division.”
U-T San Diego’s move follows a trend in advertising dollars shifting to digital platforms. Research firm eMarketer estimated spending on video ads that air on PCs and mobile devices will reach $4.14 billion this year, more than double 2011 levels. By 2017, spending will more than double again, to $9.06 billion.
“We are projecting over a 30 percent gain in year over year digital revenue growth in 2014,” said Hodges. “U-T TV will be a key driver of that success.”
U-T TV was formed in April of 2012 to extend U-T San Diego’s news reporting onto broadcast and digital video platforms. Local business conditions, in particular, the inability to negotiate a carriage agreement with Time Warner cable, proved a barrier to profitability for the broadcast division.
U-T San Diego has steadily been evolving toward becoming a multi-platform media company. All U-T journalists have been trained for the new age of video/digital journalism. There are no longer purely print reporters or television personalities in our newsrooms. Today, all U-T journalists work to produce integrated print, digital and video content.
“The talent, technology and organizational learning we have acquired are extremely valuable assets to our company,” said U-T San Diego Editor Jeff Light. “We are confident they will help us to rapidly deliver the best local news digital video report in the industry.”
U-T San Diego Chairman and Publisher Papa Doug Manchester stated, “Our business model has always been this: We will try new ideas and continue to evolve as a company to provide the best content and information possible for our audience and our advertisers.”
The state-of-the-art U-T San Diego studios will continue to operate, producing and delivering news and lifestyle content focused on all things San Diego. All of this content will be repurposed in a multitude of business, community outreach and new information channels in the future.
“The overall idea, as it has been from the beginning, is to stay one step ahead of the curve,” said Papa Doug Manchester. “In that spirit, U-T San Diego is once again embracing the leading edge of digital content programming.”

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About U-T San Diego
The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC, owner of the 144-year-old U-T San Diego, is San Diego’s leading media company and its most comprehensive source of news and information. Each week, U-T San Diego products reach more than 96 percent of all San Diego County households through the combined strength of its integrated media portfolio: the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, U-T San Diego; the website, UTSanDiego.com; the Night + Day weekly entertainment guide; Spanish-language products, Enlace and Vida Latina San Diego; a digital news and programming entity, U-T San Diego; and additional home-delivered products.

Roger Hedgecock’s Farewell Show on U-T TV Set to Air on Tuesday

Popular Conservative to Broadcast Final Show on U-T TV  

SAN DIEGO, CA, June 23, 2014 – To the tears of many admirers, Roger Hedgecock is leaving one of his public platforms.  The longtime conservative radio and television talk show host will air his final TV webcast on U-T TV Tuesday (June 24). The show can be seen on utsandiego.com/roger.

Roger has been an integral part of U-T TV from the start. Since The Roger Hedgecock show was launched in July of 2012, he has hosted approximately 500 shows over the past two years. Hedgecock is perhaps best known as a political activist committed to San Diego. He is a self-described Constitutional Conservative and a practicing free marketeer.

“Roger is one of the greatest commentators for television and radio and is a tremendous advocate for the city of San Diego.  He is always trying to change our nation for the better and I commend him for everything he has done for U-T TV”, remarked U-T San Diego, Chairman and Publisher, Papa Doug Manchester.

“I appreciate the opportunity that Papa Doug Manchester gave me to be involved in the start-up of  U-T TV”, stated Roger.   “My family comes first, and I need more time to help my mom. She lives in the same house in San Diego that I grew up in, and recently took a fall.”

Hedgecock, a former San Diego mayor and San Diego County supervisor, has been talking about national, state, and local politics for nearly three decades on his award-winning nationally syndicated radio show. He offers an optimistic look at the world stage and the political players who stand on it.  Roger will be continuing with his popular nationally syndicated talk radio show that can be heard locally on AM760 KFMB from 3p.m. to 6 p.m.

 

About the U-T San Diego  

The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC, owner of the 145-year-old U-T San Diego, is San Diego’s leading media company and is the most comprehensive source of news, entertainment and information in the region. Each week, U-T San Diego products are delivered to more than 96 percent of all San Diego County households through the combined strength of its integrated media portfolio: the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, U-T San Diego; the website, UTSanDiego.com; the Night + Day, Sunday’s Best and DiscoverSD weekly entertainment guide and website, DiscoverSD.com; Spanish-language products, Enlace and Vida Latina-San Diego; U-T TV, an on-demand news video platform; and hyper-local community papers, U-T Community Press.