PVM’s Oncology Team Buoys Purdue Institute for Cancer Research 5K Fundraising Run

Members of PVM’s Team Werling gathered for a group photo sporting their custom T-shirts the day before they ran in the annual 5K Challenge fundraising run April 12 to support the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.

It is no surprise that the members of Purdue’s Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center (WCORC) in the College of Veterinary Medicine would not back down from a challenge, especially when it comes to supporting innovative cancer research. So, true to form, about two-dozen representatives of the center could be found out on the course Saturday, April 12, participating in the 17th annual 5K Challenge fundraising run to support the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.

The event, which started and ended just west of the Rankin Track and Field, near the Cordova Recreational Sports Center, brought together the Boilermaker community and beyond to raise support for the fight against cancer. Among the 1422 registrants this year, 23 represented the Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center. They included Dr. Deborah Knapp and her husband Jim; Dr. Marejka Shaevitz; Dr. Erin Stewart; Drs. Shawna Klahn and Nick Dervisis and their family; Dr. Zachary Yaufman; Drs. Mike and Erica Childress and their family; Drs. Chris and Carrie Fulkerson and family; Dr. Conor Williams; Seung-Oe Lim, PhD, a key collaborator on the faculty of the Purdue College of Pharmacy; Jeri Tullius, RVT and her husband Bob; Patty Bonney, RVT; and Erica Fesler, RVT.

One of the team members, Dr. Marejka Shaevitz, clinical assistant professor of oncology, has her own deeply personal story that relates to her participation. Dr. Shaevitz won a battle with cancer after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a rare form of cancer that affects the immune system.

“As both a cancer survivor and veterinary oncologist who works to move cancer therapy forward for pets and people, I was overwhelmed at the level of support for the Challenge 5k and honored to be a part of the community supporting the important research taking place through the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research,” said Dr. Shaevitz, reflecting on her participation in the run.

Dr. Knapp served as the Team Captain leading the pack of WCORC participants. Together the group helped contribute to the total of $49,764 that was raised for the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research by a total of 78 teams.

This annual event brings extraordinary hope to survivors and their loved ones, emphasizing that small contributions can spark major change in the fight against cancer. Since it started in 2008, the 5K Challenge has generated more than $1 million in funding to advance lifesaving science at the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. By bringing real hope to survivors and their loved ones, the event proves that small steps lead to big change and PVM is proud and thankful to be so admirably represented by the veterinary oncology team that stepped up to the challenge!

Writer(s): Caroline Keim | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Purdue Equine Hospital Team Comes to Aid of Horse Injured in Severe Storm in Michigan

For a horse named Sassy, Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Brunner Equine Hospital proved to be the right place at the right time to recover from a scary accident that happened during a severe storm in Michigan two weeks ago. According to Dr. Danielle Cucuzella, Purdue visiting assistant professor of large animal surgery, the Quarter Horse named Sassy was seriously hurt during near 100 mile-per-hour winds where she lived in Saint Louis, Michigan.

“Paws Up!” for 4th-year DVM students Colton and Kendall – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, we celebrate the caring and competence of two members of the new senior class of DVM students for their noteworthy service in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

College of Veterinary Medicine Graduates Honored at Two Ceremonies During Purdue’s 2026 Commencement Weekend

A change in Purdue University’s traditional commencement weekend schedule resulted in two ceremonies recognizing graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine in May. This year, veterinary technology graduates were honored at aceremony that was separate from the commencement program for the DVM graduates. That’s because the university recognized all doctoral degree candidates in a single ceremony on Saturday, May 16. As a result, the veterinary technology degree recipients were honored Thursday, May 14, at one of several ceremonies for undergraduate degree candidates. Following that ceremony, the college hosted its traditional oath ceremony for the 2026 graduates of the Purdue Veterinary Technology program in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom.

White Coat Ceremony Celebrates Third-year Veterinary Students’ Transition to Clinical Year

The Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms provided a classic setting for an annual event that has become a cherished tradition of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Members of the DVM Class of 2027 gathered with family, friends, faculty and staff on the evening of April 18 for the annual White Coat Ceremony that signals the transition of the third year veterinary students from the classroom to the clinics.

Popular Purdue Veterinary Medicine Bone Marrow Workshop Goes on the Road to Mexico

An annual program hosted by two bone marrow experts with Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine ties, once again attracted strong attendance but in a new international location. This year, Drs. Joanne B. Messick and Rose E. Raskin were invited to Mexico City to present the Annual Bone Marrow Workshop at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

“Paws Up” for Dr. Madeleine Swindell – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we share appreciation for Dr. Madeleine Swindell, who is a Purdue Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Rotating Intern.

Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Purdue Veterinary Medicine Staff

Applause and periodic shouts of “Bravo” punctuated the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual spring Outstanding Staff and Bravo Awards Ceremony. The program held in Lynn Hall on May 13 honored some two dozen staff members for meritorious accomplishments.