Tomas Parker, namesake and generous donor of the Parker Food Science and Technology
Building and Dr. Steven Schwartz, Director of CAFFRE, Center for Advanced Functional Foods
Research and Entrepreneurship accept the donation of $103,301.82 to The Ohio State University
Comprehensive Cancer Center during the launch of the Growing the Cure™ program.
What if the food we ate fought against cancer?
Recent food-based research at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture and
Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center
(OSUCCC-The James) has discovered that fruits and vegetables contain natural cancer-fighting
capabilities when consumed appropriately.
Five Ohio- and Indiana-based cooperatives have recognized these findings and are collaborating
to support cancer research by developing Growing the Cure™. Heritage Cooperative, United
Landmark, Town & Country, Trupointe and Jackson Jennings Co-op have all committed to raise
awareness and financial support for the innovative research being done at OSUCCC-The James
and CFAES.
Together, the five cooperatives of Growing the Cure™ presented a check for $103,301.82 to The
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Vice President’s Luncheon during the
50th Farm Science Review. Tom Parker, namesake and generous donor of the Parker Food
Science and Technology Building, was in attendance for the check presentation and launch of
Growing the Cure™.
Dr. Steven Clinton, leading researcher and medical oncologist at The Ohio State University,
reminisced about his childhood agriculture experience and the dire importance of a sturdy, threelegged
stool to sit on while milking dairy cattle.
“Those three sturdy legs are also important in cancer research: prevention, early detection and
treatment.” All three aspects must work together to gain success in finding a cure, Clinton said.
Money raised by these cooperatives will be split equally between OSUCCC-The James and
CFAES through the “Cooperatives for the Cure of Cancer” endowment fund, which is accounted
for through The Ohio State University.
The Farm Science Review is being held Sept. 18-20 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in
London, Ohio. Tickets are available for sale for $8 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free.
Wednesday is Food Drive Day; bring two or more cans of nonperishable food to donate to the
Ohio Association of Food Banks and receive a pair of work gloves while supplies last. Thursday is
Generations Day, where you can enjoy an ice cream social at Conversation Park beginning at
12:30 p.m. A photo booth sponsored by Peter’s Photography will be available to capture
memories along with a commemorative frame, while supplies last. For more information, go to
fsr.osu.edu.
Farm Science Review is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental
Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development