Flea market at Max Myers
Max Myers Recreation Centers, 1601 Hellerman St., will host a flea market on Sunday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ••
Do-nothing City Council
City Council voted 16-1 to condemn President Donald Trump for “likening himself to, and acting like, a king.” All Democrats and members of the Working Families Party voted for the resolution, sponsored by Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier. Republican Councilman Brian O’Neill voted against the resolution, which was merely ceremonial. The resolution followed a social media post by Trump mentioning his order that New York stop a new program that charges drivers $9 to enter Manhattan. He ended the post with, “Long Live The King.” ••
Thrift Shop bag sale
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., sponsored by the women of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai, will continue its bag sale (fill a bag of clothes for $5) through Wednesday, March 5. The shop will be closed March 6-8 and will reopen Sunday, March 9, with spring and summer merchandise. Hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is closed Saturdays. Call 215-624-9130. ••
Bingo at Loudenslager
Corp. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave., is offering community bingo every second and fourth Friday at 7 p.m. There are dollar hot dogs and free popcorn. ••
Fox Chase surgeon inducted as a fellow
Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Alycia So, MD, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, was recently inducted as a fellow into the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery.
Founded in 1879, the academy is the oldest continuously meeting surgical society in the United States. Its aim is to improve the practice of surgery, promote public health and help elevate the medical profession.
“I am very honored to be welcomed into an organization with such an illustrious history. I am looking forward to being in the company of some of the most renowned surgeons in the area and am eager to play a role in the academy’s mission of improving the science and practice of surgery,” said So.
“Fox Chase is proud to have another of its talented surgeons join the ranks of the fellows of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery,” said Jeffrey Farma, MD, FACS, chairman of the Department of Surgery. “With Dr. So’s induction, Fox Chase Cancer Center continues to be well represented as home to some of the best and brightest surgeons in Philadelphia.”
To become a fellow of the academy, a candidate must be a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy who has graduated from a reputable school of medicine or osteopathy. They must also be either board certified in a surgical specialty by an American board of medical specialties or a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Additionally, they must be nominated by an existing fellow in good standing and supported by another fellow before receiving approval from the council and being presented to the academy for election.
So received her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and her medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency in general surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
So joined Fox Chase in September 2024 and specializes in breast surgical oncology. She has been recognized with multiple awards throughout her career, including the FOCUS Fellowship in Women’s Health from the Rena Rowan Breast Cancer Center and the Corynne S. Uhl Award for Compassion and Excellence in Patient Care from MD Anderson Cancer Center. She also received The Adrian Greenstein, MD, Award, presented by Mount Sinai Hospital to the general surgery resident who best demonstrates professionalism, humanism and civility.
She has contributed to 20 publications and presentations studying breast cancer and surgical outcomes. So has also worked on several global health initiatives, including an independently organized research fellowship with the Department of Surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, and the installation of solar suitcases at rural clinics in The Gambia to improve maternal-fetal health outcomes. ••
Reaccreditation for Fox Chase’s bone marrow transplant department
Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Department of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy has received reaccreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.
“We are happy to report that we have been reaccredited for another three years. This reaccreditation serves as an important indication of our qualifications in the competitive field of cellular therapy,” said Henry Chi Hang Fung, MD, FACP, FRCPE, the department’s chairman.
“Our program consistently meets and exceeds the rigorous criteria established by organizations like FACT based on the high number of transplants we perform, our level of expertise and the support personnel available for our patients. With this distinction, we know patients can feel assured that they are being treated at a facility with the highest-quality care for cellular therapy.”
Founded in 1996, FACT is a nonprofit corporation co-founded by the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy for voluntary inspection and accreditation in the field of cellular therapy. FACT promotes improvement and progress by establishing minimum standards, providing education and inspecting and accrediting programs worldwide.
FACT accreditation indicates that an institution has met the most rigorous standards in every aspect of cellular therapy. This covers the spectrum of the therapy, from clinical care to donor management, cell collection, processing, storage, transportation, administration and cell release.
The BMT demonstrated compliance with the FACT-JACIE (Joint Accreditation Committee–ISCT & EBMT) International Standards for Cellular Therapy Product Collection, Processing and Administration. This resulted in it being reaccredited for adult allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation, immune effector cellular therapy, cellular therapy product collection by apheresis for administration and further manufacturing, and cellular therapy product processing with minimal manipulation.
FACT-JACIE standards aim to promote improvement and progress in the fields of cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. These standards are regularly updated and defined by leading international experts based on the latest knowledge in the field of cellular therapy.
Reaccreditation is attained through evaluation of submitted documentation and onsite inspection to determine if an organization is compliant with current FACT standards. FACT is the only accrediting agency that addresses all quality aspects of cellular therapy and cord blood banking, including collection, processing and administration. ••
Library book club to meet
The Bustleton Library Book Club will meet on Thursday, March 13, at 11 a.m. at the library, 10199 Bustleton Ave. The book discussion will be on Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote. The author created a woman whose name has entered the American idiom and whose style is a part of the literary landscape – her poignancy, wit and naivete continue to charm. Reading the book beforehand is encouraged but not necessary. Copies of the book will be available for library card holders to borrow. ••
Upcoming opera shows
Amici Opera Company will be holding a number of upcoming performances.
Mascagni’s L’Amico Fritz will be presented on Sunday, March 9, at 4 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, 1501 W. Brigantine Ave., Brigantine. The cost is $30.
There will be another performance of L’Amico Fritz on Tuesday, March 25, at 6 p.m. at La Piovra, 7901 High School Road, Elkins Park. The cost for dinner and the show is $54.95 per person (tips and taxes not included). Make a reservation at 215-606-3800.
Other performances of L’Amico Fritz are Sunday, March 30, at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale, and on Saturday, April 5, at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave.
There will be two performances of Bellini’s Beatrice di Tenda on Saturdays, March 22 and 29, at 3 p.m., at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer.
Call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
Vendor fair at St. Hubert
The St. Hubert Parent Association is holding a vendor fair on Sunday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the school, 7320 Torresdale Ave. Spaces are available for $25 with a $25 raffle item. Email Sheila Picinich at s.picinich@olcalvaryschool.org. ••
Bingo at St. Hubert
St. Hubert Alumnae Association will present Bucks & Bags Bingo on Saturday, April 12, in the school cafeteria, 7320 Torresdale Ave., with entrance through the Ditman Street doors. Doors open at 5 p.m. The event runs from 6-9 p.m. and is for people 21 and older. There will be 12 rounds of bingo. The cost is $35 and includes door prize, raffle ticket, coffee, tea, water and small desserts. Outside snacks are welcome. There will be raffle baskets and a cash prize raffle. Payments accepted: Venmo @SH-Alumnae; PayPal paypal.me/SHAA7320; and checks made payable to St. Hubert Alumnae Association (must be received at the school by April 7). Questions or issues with registration, email SHAAbingo1941@gmail.com ••
Event on healthcare professions
Cranaleith Spiritual Center, 13475 Proctor Road, invites the public to an event on Sunday, March 9, from 2-4 p.m., featuring Drs. Bob Wicks and Gloria Donnelly and a conversation about their book, Overcoming Secondary Stress in Medical and Nursing Practice: A Guide to Professional Resilience and Personal Well-Being. There will be a dialogue about resilience, self-care and secondary stress within the healthcare professions. Wicks and Donnelly will share their insights and practical strategies to address these challenges. Following the talk, there will be a brief Q&A and time for signing books. The cost is $75 in person and includes a copy of the book. Online price is $40. To register, go to www.cranaleith.org or call 215-934-6206, Ext. 103. ••
College/career fair at Judge
Father Judge, 3301 Solly Ave., will be hosting a College/Career Fair on Thursday, March 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fox Gym. Area colleges, trade schools, unions and military representatives will be in attendance to provide information and answer questions. ••
Senior softball needs players
The Philadelphia Senior Softball League is looking for experienced softball players for its 58 & over and 68 & over leagues. The 58 & over league plays Tuesday and Thursday, while 68 & over plays Monday and Friday. All games are played at Crispin Field, at Holme and Convent avenues. Games start at 10 a.m. The season starts in mid-April and runs through September. For more information, call or text Mike Bojanowski at 215-801-4869 or Marty King at 215-409-5021. ••
St. Hubert trip to Lancaster
St. Hubert is holding a trip to Lancaster County on Thursday, April 17. Guests will see a production of Noah at Sight & Sound and have a buffet meal at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. A bus will leave the school at 8 a.m. and return at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $215. Proceeds benefit the faculty scholarship fund. To reserve a seat, contact Mary Clifford at 267-231-7367 or mclifford@huberts.org. ••
Travel with Maternity BVM Seniors
Maternity BVM Seniors have announced their 2025 group trip schedule. People are invited to join them on the following trips: Mt. Hope Winery – Murder Mystery, Thursday, March 6, $130; Tropicana – Joey Arminio and Family, Monday, April 14, $80; Sight and Sound – Noah, Thursday, Sept. 25, $180; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Sea Watch Resort, Oct. 6-10; Tropicana – Blockbuster Broadway, Monday, Nov. 17, $80. For information, call Connie at 215-338-9141. ••
Irish singalong
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., welcomes the public to prepare for St. Patrick’s Day by singing favorite Irish tunes on Tuesday, March 11, at 5:30 p.m. Jessica Carroll will lead the crowd in song. The program is sponsored by Friends of Holmesburg Library. ••
Presentation on Shroud of Turin
St. Martha Church, 11301 Academy Road, will host Shroud Encounter on Wednesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. Admission is free. The big-screen experience uses more than 200 images. The program is a production of the Shroud of Turin Education Project Inc. and will be presented by international expert and author Russ Breault. The Shroud of Turin is the most analyzed artifact in the world yet remains a mystery. The 14-foot-long linen cloth that has been in Turin, Italy for more than 400 years bears the faint front and back image of a bearded, crucified man with apparent wounds and bloodstains that match the crucifixion account as recorded in the Bible. For more information, visit ShroudEncounter.com. ••
Bingo at Marian Hall
Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Francis de Sales #2617 will hold bingo on Saturday, March 22, at St. Dominic’s Marian Hall, 8532 Frankford Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Games begin at 6:15. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door (if available) and include beer, wine, soda, water and tea. Light snacks will be available. The event is for people 21 or older. Food can be brought in, but not liquor. There will be raffle baskets and a 50-50. Nonperishable food items will be collected for a food cupboard. For tickets, contact Maryann Morley at 215-288-8691 or chachisfo@aol.com or mail a check to CDA/St. Francis de Sales #2617, 2565 Exton Road, Hatboro, PA 19040. ••
Meeting in Fox Chase on March 12
The Fox Chase Town Watch and Fox Chase Civic Association meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at American Legion Loudenslager Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. The group will meet on the following dates: March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, Sept. 10, Oct. 8 and Nov. 12. ••
Preschool storytime
Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will host Preschool Storytime & Play on Thursdays, March 13 and 27, at 10:30 a.m. There will be fun stories and songs followed by creative play. The program is for kids ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. Call 215-685-9383. ••
Water Department wants to raise rates again
The Philadelphia Water Department filed advance notice with the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board of its request to increase water, sewer and stormwater rates and charges over two successive years.
Beginning in September 2025, for the average ratepayer who is not enrolled in a low-income assistance program, the new rate would mean an average monthly bill of about $91.31, an 11.7 percent increase. In 2026, rates would rise to an average monthly bill of about $96.68. The 2026 proposed rates represent a 5.9 percent increase.
Customers can learn about participating in the rate process at www.phila.gov/water/rateboard.
Community Legal Services, as Public Advocate, offers free resources to support public input, including assistance for stakeholders who may have difficulty participating in virtual or telephonic hearings. Email publicadvocate@clsphila.org or call 215-227-9988 for information or assistance.
The rate board will make a decision in June. ••
Sign up for free NE Times newsletter
The Northeast Times has a new website: https://patimes.media/
The website includes news, sports, opinion, crime, features, a way to subscribe and a link to sign up for a free newsletter that will bring stories to your inbox. The site includes an option to read the current issue in “flipbook” style. Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, Facebook at Northeast Times and on X @NETimesOfficial. In addition to the Times being delivered to homes, the paper can be found at these spots: https://patimes.media/pickup-locations/.
The website northeasttimes.com is not affiliated with the Northeast Times. ••
Dougherty ’75 reunion
Cardinal Dougherty Class of 1975 will hold its 50th class reunion on Saturday, April 5, from 6-10 p.m. at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road. The cost is $75 and includes open bar, buffet dinner, dessert, DJ, pictures, glassware and lanyard keepsakes and a tribute to deceased alumni. Tickets are available in advance through March 10. Payments are being taken on Venmo at JimGallagher1975CDREUNION or by check payable to 1975 Cardinal Dougherty 50th Reunion, c/o John Lennon, 861 Beverly Road, Rydal, PA 19046. No tickets will be sold at the door. Email 1975cdreunion@gmail.com. ••
Blood drive at Jeanes
Temple University – Jeanes Campus, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will host a blood drive on Wednesday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Patient Care Center main lobby multipurpose room, 7600 Central Ave. To register or for more information, visit redcrossblood.org and enter “TUH Jeanes Campus” for location. ••
Senior luncheons at Fox Chase church
Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase, 7902 Oxford Ave., hosts a monthly Senior Luncheon at noon on the third Wednesday of each month. Upcoming dates are March 19 and April 16. ••
Fundraiser for cancer research, care
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Board of Associates, Fox Chase Cancer Center is holding a High Tea/Mini Bingo (five games) on Friday, March 28. It will be held at Maggio’s Banquet Hall, 400 2nd Street Pike, Southampton, starting at noon. Participants will be playing to win baskets. The cost is $55. Call Lorraine Braverman at 610-277-3631. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. ••
Curfew, underage drinking
Curfew in Philadelphia is 9:30 p.m. for anyone 13 and under and 10 p.m. for those ages 14-17. If police pick up someone for a curfew violation in the Northeast, the young person will be taken home, to the Community Evening Resource Center at 4704 Leiper St. in Frankford or to the 2nd, 7th, 8th or 15th police districts. The penalty for a curfew violation can be up to $300.
Under state law, underage drinking is a summary offense with a $500 fine for the first violation. Anyone receiving a citation for underage drinking can be asked about it on applications for jobs, college applications and appointments to military service academies. ••
Join St. Anselm Seniors
St. Anselm has started a senior citizen club that meets most Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Hall, 12650 Dunksferry Road. The club is open to men and women 55 and older, and members don’t have to be St. Anselm parishioners. For more information, visit the St. Anselm Senior Citizens Club page on Facebook. ••
Bingo at Cannstatter’s
Bingo is played every Thursday at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 6:30. Call 215-322-0121. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW. Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Book review and lunch
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center is having a book review and deli lunch on Friday, April 25, at 10 a.m. The book to be discussed is The Bird Hotel, by Joyce Maynard. The event will be held at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Reimann Conference Room, 4th floor, 333 Cottman Ave. There will be reserved parking off the Burholme Avenue entrance. The cost is $35. For reservations, call Joyce at 215-676-1761. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. ••
Trip to Hindu temple, lunch, chocolate
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a bus trip to Robbinsville, New Jersey, on Thursday, April 10, featuring a tour of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, the largest Hindu temple outside of India, a three-course luncheon at The Cranberry Inn and a visit to David Bradley Chocolatier. All-inclusive cost is $130. Reservation deadline is March 15. Call 215-788-2106 or visit bristolhistory.org for a flyer/reservation form. ••
GWHS class of ‘65 reunion
George Washington High School’s class of 1965 will hold its 60th class reunion on May 17 at Maggio’s Restaurant, 400 Second Street Pike, in Southampton. The 900-plus members of the class of ‘65 entered Washington as sophomores when it opened in September 1962. For more information, email Marie McCann at marie.mccann4@gmail.com. ••
Free tax preparation
People who need help with preparing their federal and state income tax returns can take advantage of the free assistance program being offered by KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave. The program will run through April 15 and will be available to everyone with annual incomes of up to $79,000, whether filling single or joint returns. All of the volunteer tax helpers are qualified with extensive experience to help prepare federal and state tax returns as well as PA Rent/Real Estate tax rebate forms. Call 215-698-7300, Ext. 194 to make an appointment. ••
Trip to see Noah
St. Katherine of Siena Primrose Club is running a bus trip on Thursday, Sept. 11, to Lancaster’s Sight & Sound Theatre to see Noah. The cost is $174 and includes a buffet lunch at Hershey Farm & Inn Restaurant. For reservations, call Catherine Murphy at 215-919-4399. ••
Bereavement support group
Lambie Funeral Home, 8000 Rowland Ave. (at Rhawn Street), sponsors a Bereavement Support group for all who have lost loved ones on the first Wednesday of the month, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., through June 4. There is no fee. Call 215-332-6110. ••
Jazz festival fundraiser
The Germantown Jazz Jamm, with a performance by Austin Wagner, will take place on Wednesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. at Attic Brewing Company, 137 Berkley St. Proceeds will benefit the Germantown Jazz Festival. ••
Parkinson’s support group at Jeanes
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus, 7604 Central Ave., will host meetings of a Parkinson’s disease support group in its Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse. The meetings, from 5-6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every other month, are open to people diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their families, and are led by nurse practitioner June Ro. The schedule, with guest speakers, is April 9 (Dr. Willard Kasoff, neurosurgeon), June 11 (speech therapist Marissa Rock), Aug. 13 (Dr. Molly Cincotta, neurologist), Oct. 8 (social worker Luisa Enriquez) and Dec. 10 (Dr. Teodora Schellato, urologist, and physical therapist Sonia Williams-Joseph).
To register, contact Ro at 215-707-2619 or Jungyoon.Ro@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
English classes at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library, 10199 Bustleton Ave., hosts free intermediate English classes on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. To register, go to remind.com/join/dbhd4e or call 215-685-0472. ••
Programs at NE Regional
Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., offers the following recurring programs:
• Crochet Club, Fridays at 11 a.m. in the second-floor Humanities Department. Bring your own materials.
• Mixed Level English Class, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-4 p.m. Call 215-685-0522.
• PA CareerLink® Job Search Assistance, Wednesdays, 2 to 4:30 p.m. Call 833-750-5627.
• Chess Club for Adults & Teens, Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m.
• One-on-One Basic Computer Help Appointments, Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 215-685-0525.
• Thursday Computer Help: Various Subjects, Thursdays, 1-2 p.m.
• Gadget Help, Mondays and Wednesdays upon request. Call 215-685-0525.
• Computer Skills for Beginners, Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m. Register at 215-474-1235.
• English Conversation Group – Intermediate-plus, Mondays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Register at 215-474-1235. ••
Pacific Wine Country tour
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is going on a Pacific Wine Country cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess, May 10-17. Ports-of-call include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Astoria (Oregon) and Victoria and Vancouver (Canada). Rates range from $3,048 to $3,578 per person, double occupancy, which includes round-trip airfare from Philadelphia, port charges, government fees, taxes and transfers to and from the ship. Call 215-788-9408 for more information. ••
Cruise in July
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is traveling on an Independence Day Celebration cruise, July 1-8. Ports-of-call include New York, Newport, Boston on July 4 and Halifax, Nova Scotia. A passport is required. Rates range from $1,920 to $2,680 per person, double occupancy. For a flyer, call 215-788-9408. ••
Chair yoga at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library, 10199 Bustleton Ave., hosts chair yoga on Wednesdays at 10:10 a.m. The class is presented by Yoga4Philly and sponsored by Friends of Bustleton Library. ••
Germantown Jazz Festival in April
The Germantown Jazz Festival will take place from April 25-27. Venues are Germantown Friends School, Vernon Park, First Presbyterian Church and The Nile Cafe. There will be performances, workshops, food vendors and cultural experiences. For more information, visit GermantownJazzFestival.com or call Sherri Pennington at 267-882-7385. ••
Folk music concert
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation, 321 Cedar St. in Bristol, will welcome folksinger Mary Roth to perform “Enchanting Appalachia,” an interactive program of music and history with a focus on the rich culture of Appalachia and its people, on Sunday, March 30, at 2 p.m. Light refreshment will be served. A donation of $5 per attendee is suggested. The public is invited. Call 215-788-9408 or go to www.bristolhistory.org. ••
Free chronic pain workshop
People 60 and older can enroll in a free six-week Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshop at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., beginning on Wednesday, March 19, at 12:30 p.m. and running through Wednesday, April 23. Topics include how to take change of your chronic pain, addressing symptoms of fatigue, frustration, isolation and poor sleep, increasing involvement in daily tasks, physical activity and healthy eating, learning to use your mind, medication usage and evaluation of treatments, communication skills, action planning, decision making and problem solving. For information and to reserve a place, contact Inna Gulko 215-698-7300, Ext. 176 or igulko@kleinlife.org. ••
Theater performance of Honk!
The Star Players, of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, will present Honk! The Ugly Duckling Musical on May 30-31 and June 1, at 7 p.m., at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St., in Manayunk. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased on Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, follow @starplayersPPR on X, like the group’s page on Facebook or contact director Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714 or Starplayers2013@gmail.com. ••
O’Neill events
City Councilman Brian O’Neill will hold three events on upcoming Saturdays at his offices, all from 9-11 a.m. There will be an e-cycling event on May 3 at Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street. A recycling bucket giveaway will take place on May 17 at 432 Rhawn St. A free shredding event, sponsored by Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, is set for June 7 at 11630 Caroline Road. ••
Cruise to Italy, Greece, Turkey
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring an “Antiquity to Anatolia” cruise, Oct. 29 to Nov. 9, aboard Oceania Cruises’ “Oceania Vista,” sailing from Rome and visiting Cinque Terre, Naples/Pompeii and Taormina (Sicily), Italy; Cephalonia, Katakolon, Athens and Santorini, Greece; and Ephesus and Istanbul, Turkey. Rates per person, including round-trip air from Philadelphia, range from $6,150 to $6,450. For flyers, call 215-788-9408 or go to https://www.bristolhistory.org. ••
Fox Chase researcher earns grant
Erin K. Tagai, PhD, MPH, an Assistant Professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center, has received a grant from the Prevent Cancer Foundation to fund development of a ChatBot for patients receiving genetic testing results.
“Every year, tens of thousands of people in the United States are diagnosed with preventable cancer due to an unknown hereditary risk of cancer due to genetics. I’m very grateful for this generous grant because it will allow us to develop a tool that will fill a key gap for patients receiving genetic counseling,” Tagai said.
“While the public has a favorable view on genetics in medicine, the lack of awareness about genetic testing means some people with an increased cancer risk are missing out on opportunities to prevent cancer or detect it early by making informed, personalized care decisions based on genetic testing.”
To increase patient knowledge, reduce distress and improve patient-provider communication, Tagai is collaborating with Michael J. Hall, MD, MS, FASCO, Chair and Professor in the Department of Clinical Genetics at Fox Chase, and Slobodan Vucetic, PhD, Director of the Temple University Center for Hybrid Intelligence, to develop a large language model-based ChatBot called “GenChat.” It will be designed to deliver genetic testing results, provide medically accurate and lay-friendly information, and encourage patients to follow up with their genetic counselor for more information and support.
“Many individuals are understandably worried when they receive their genetic test results, which can often be confusing, and are left to wonder what the results mean for themselves and their families,” Tagai said. “Our goal is to help people better understand their results and improve their communication with genetic counselors during appointments.”
In addition to Tagai, the Prevent Cancer Foundation is funding nine other scientists who are exploring innovative approaches in artificial intelligence tools, developing new imaging platforms, addressing health disparities and more. Each scientist has been awarded $100,000 for a two-year period. Areas of focus include brain, breast, cervical, head and neck, kidney, lung, prostate, skin (including melanoma), uterine and ovarian cancers. These research projects have been funded thanks to the generosity of donors.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation is the only U.S.-based nonprofit organization solely dedicated to cancer prevention and early detection. Through research, education, outreach and advocacy, it has helped countless people avoid a cancer diagnosis or detect their cancer early enough to be successfully treated.
The foundation is rising to meet the challenge of reducing cancer deaths by 40% by 2035. To achieve this, it is committed to investing $20 million for innovative technologies to detect cancer early and advance multi-cancer screening, $10 million to expand cancer screening and vaccination access to “medically underserved” communities and $10 million to educate the public about screening and vaccination options. ••
New reviews by Fox Chase Cancer researchers
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center recently published two reviews on the complex role of AKT, also known as protein kinase B, in the development and treatment of cancer.
AKT regulates numerous functions in normal cells, including survival, proliferation, growth, cell death and glycogen metabolism, so its activity may affect every cell in the body. However, when AKT goes haywire, it can cause tumor initiation, disease progression and resistance to anticancer therapies, so many clinical trials have been initiated using small-molecule inhibitors to target the AKT pathway.
The protein was first shown to play a role in malignancy in a highly cited 1991 Fox Chase study that is considered the starting point for a plethora of research that significantly impacted the cancer field. The study, which focused on AKT as a retroviral oncoprotein and novel signaling kinase, was published in Science.
That research was conducted by Alfonso Bellacosa, MD, PhD, at the time a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Philip Tsichlis, MD, then a senior researcher at Fox Chase, and Joseph Testa, PhD, Professor and Carol & Ken Weg Chair in Human Genetics at Fox Chase, who brought the AKT project to Fox Chase when he joined it in 1989.
Bellacosa is now a Professor at Fox Chase, and Tsichlis is Professor and former Chair of the Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics at Ohio State University. Dr. Stephen Staal, now an oncologist with University of Florida Health, was also a co-author of the Science publication, having isolated the AKT retrovirus and cloned small fragments of the oncogene transduced by the virus.
A follow-up landmark paper from Tsichlis’ lab published in Cell in 1995, during his tenure at Fox Chase, placed AKT in the center of the PI3K pathway, one of the main pathways controlling cellular and organismal physiology. The deregulation of this pathway plays a critical role in cancer.
A highly cited 1992 publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by the Testa lab, in collaboration with the Tsichlis group and former Fox Chase faculty member Andrew Godwin, now an endowed professor and cancer center Deputy Director at the University of Kansas Medical Center, described alterations of AKT in ovarian cancer. It was the first of many such publications linking AKT to human cancer and identifying AKT and other molecules in the PI3K/AKT pathway as important targets for cancer treatment.
Testa and Bellacosa believe that promise has finally been realized. In one of the new reviews, Bellacosa and co-authors discuss AKT inhibitors and their therapeutic significance, including in combination with immunotherapies. Bellacosa worked on the review with Testa, Dalal Hassan, a visiting scientist in Bellacosa’s lab, and Craig Menges, who previously worked with Testa and is now at Eurofins Scientific focusing on CAR-T cell therapy.
The authors discuss how AKT serves as a central node for a signaling pathway pivotal for a range of normal cellular functions and several pathological conditions, including cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and overgrowth syndromes.
“There was no doubt that this protein was relevant for cancer and various other processes. However, we lacked evidence that blocking the AKT pathway would have clinical benefit,” Bellacosa said. “Excitingly, research published just a few months ago showed that AKT inhibitors have a positive effect in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.”
Testa and Eleonora Sementino, a senior technologist in his lab, spearheaded the second article, an overview of AKT’s central role in cancer, with Bellacosa and Hassan as co-authors. It was prompted by earlier research outlining the fundamental hallmarks of cancer biology initially proposed by Douglas Hanahan, Distinguished Scholar at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and Robert Weinberg, the Daniel K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What began as six cancer hallmarks in 2000 eventually developed into 14 by 2022. These include characteristics such as the ability of cancer cells to proliferate without regulation and to survive and develop resistance to traditional anticancer drugs.
“Recently, it has become increasingly clear that the AKT pathway plays a critical role in many aspects of cancer. Upon looking deeper, we discovered that AKT is involved in all 14 cancer hallmarks. Moreover, given AKT’s frequent involvement in many types of cancer, there is now enormous interest in targeting the AKT pathway as a rational therapeutic strategy,” Testa said.
“Little did I know nearly four decades ago, when Steve Staal asked me to map a human AKT1 fragment, that its protein product would be so important. Now there are more than 130,000 publications on AKT, nearly 65,000 of which are directly related to cancer, so we thought this would be an ideal time to reflect on the AKT pathway’s biological and clinical importance in malignancy. It’s timely because investigators are now finding innovative ways to specifically target mutant forms of AKT in a clinically efficacious manner.”
“These new mutant-selective inhibitors are expected to dramatically improve the treatment of cancers fueled by mutant AKT alleles while having only minimal side effects on glucose homeostasis,” Bellacosa said.
Bellacosa’s review, “AKT Kinases as Therapeutic Targets,” was published in the Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research. Testa’s review, “AKT and the Hallmarks of Cancer,” was published in Cancer Research. ••
