Doctor-patient relationship leads to gift supporting cancer care

Betty Anderson could do it all. She was an artist, pianist, chef, landscape gardener and self-taught architect. She studied at the prestigious New York School of Interior Design and Pratt Institute, creating a successful design career. She even completely restored and refurnished the historic Alexander Graham Bell home in Washington, D.C.

She did this while raising two sons and relocating her family across several states as her husband, Jim, rose quickly through senior leadership with AT&T and then the Baby Bells. “Betty kept me hopping,” said Jim, his voice showing notes of love, laughter and loss. “My wife was a fiery redhead with an Irish temper. She was a live wire fueled by coffee and cigarettes.”

In 2010, Betty focused that energy into helping Jim survive stage III esophageal cancer.

Diagnosis, diagram, determination

The Andersons were retired and living in Wilmington, North Carolina, when Jim was diagnosed. His physician referred him to Nirmal Veeramachaneni, MD, a thoracic surgeon then practicing in Chapel Hill.

“I immediately knew he was my guy when he diagrammed the surgery on the exam table paper,” said Jim.

Dr. Veeramachaneni, also known as Dr. V., pulled no punches: Treatment would be brutal. Jim had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and needed a feeding tube for seven months. He lost 55 pounds.

Through it all, Betty was at his side nursing and encouraging him. True to form, she protected him with fierce determination. Once, when hospital nurses had trouble with Jim’s feeding tube, Betty told everyone to leave. “She positioned herself outside the door and refused to let anyone but Dr. V. in,” recalled Jim, as Dr. Veeramachaneni smiled at the memory.

Jim slowly recovered throughout 2011 and into early 2012. Yet, just as Jim’s health improved, Betty’s began to decline. She was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and passed away in May 2012.

Pursuing a cancer-free tomorrow

As they navigated their illnesses, Jim and Betty grew close to Dr. Veeramachaneni and his wife, Deepika Polineni, MD, a pulmonary specialist at The University of Kansas Health System. “Jim and Betty have taught us so many things about marriage, children and life in general,” said Dr. Polineni.

Jim even advised the young couple to pursue new opportunities in the Midwest with The University of Kansas Health System, though it meant his friends and trusted physician would move away. They’ve kept in close contact even after their move.

The physicians’ excitement about their innovative work, leading-edge discoveries and dedication to patient care was contagious. Jim wanted to support his friends, establish a lasting tribute to his wife and advance cancer care.

Jim established a transformational estate gift, the James T. and Betty W. Anderson Fund, in support of The University of Kansas Cancer Center. Funds are dedicated to The University of Kansas Health System and the University of Kansas Medical Center to further advance cancer prevention and survivorship, recruit nurse navigators and physician scientists, and promote innovation and discovery.

“We are so honored and humbled by this gift,” said Dr. Veeramachaneni. “It will have an impact on countless patients with cancer – now and far into the future.”

Jim didn’t hesitate when asked why he would commit resources to a health system several states away. “Academic medical centers in North Carolina have strong endowments and receive state funding,” he said. “ The University of Kansas Health System relies on private philanthropy – and I believe in what’s happening there.”