UMGCC NEWS
In Memory of Leon Burns
Leon Burns (seated) with his oncologist, Dr. Martin Edelman, and nurse practitioner, Michelle Turner, during a treatment visit at the Greenebaum Cancer Center in 2008.
The entire Greenebaum Cancer Center family mourns the passing of Mr. Leon Burns. Mr. Burns was a longtime patient at the cancer center who passed away recently after a nine-year battle with lung cancer.
Leon was a wonderful advocate for the entire cancer center and volunteered in many capacities to support the cancer center's mission. He was always happy to share his positive experiences and perspectives at meetings, with legislators, the media and at innumerable events. He tirelessly supported clinical research and participated in numerous trials himself. He befriended everyone he encountered here and was always looking for ways to give back and to support the work of the center. In many ways he represented all the center's patients. Fellow travelers and staff alike looked up to him because of his wonderful attitude and his warm and engaging personality.
Please join me in offering our condolences to Leon's wife Debbie and the entire Burns family.
Kevin J. Cullen, M.D.
Director, University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center
Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Editor's Note: The following remembrance was given by Dr. Martin Edelman at Leon's funeral service.
As an oncologist seeing exclusively lung cancer patients, I tend to meet people at a difficult time in their lives. I am always amazed at how well many of them do - much better than I would under similar circumstances.
A few individuals are truly extraordinary and memorable. Leon Burns was one of those people. From the time we first met, his love of life and desire to help others was apparent. He understood the limitations of current treatment, and was an enthusiastic participant in trials of new approaches. As he put it, "If it won't help me, maybe it will help someone else." Perhaps it was that attitude that resulted in his holding our unofficial record for the most clinical trials entered by any person at the cancer center - nine by my count.
But, Leon went far beyond just participating. He became a forceful advocate for the cancer center, speaking on our behalf and raising funds to enhance our mission of research and patient care. Through his long illness, he was always cheerful and upbeat, helped immeasurably by his wife, Debbie Burns. Debbie and Leon were a true partnership, supporting each other whether the news was good or bad. They were incredibly supportive of the staff. I think there were times when they felt more sorry for us when we had bad news than they felt for themselves.
I will miss Leon. I believe I speak for all of us at the Greenebaum Cancer Center, - the center's director, Dr. Kevin Cullen; Michelle Turner, my nurse practitioner, who took the calls when there were problems and who is minding the store this morning; and my colleague Dr. Mohan Suntha, who would have been here but his father is undergoing surgery.
Speaking of Dr. Suntha, he shared Leon's love of golf. I once golfed with them at an event to benefit the Greenebaum Cancer Center. After seeing me play, Leon had to admit that, unlike treatment for advanced lung cancer, some things are truly hopeless!
All of the nurses, technicians and others who make the cancer center run will miss Leon. We hope that Debbie and his family will draw strength from his life and his example as they confront life without him.
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Dr. Martin Edelman is professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Director of Solid Tumor Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center.
This page was last updated on: January 6, 2012.
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