Mesothelioma "Veteran" Donates $150,000

June 3, 2008

Erwin Bergquist, a two and a half year mesothelioma survivor and patient of Dr. Robert Cameron, came in for his regular quarterly check-up Friday May 30, 2008, and met with PHLBI’s executive director Jessica Like. "Erwin reached into his pocket, took out a folded check, and handed it to me without saying a word," says Like. "When I saw what he'd done, it took my breath away."

"Mr. Bergquist's donation is the single largest gift ever by a patient to PHLBI," says Dr. Cameron, who is also the director of medical research at the institute. "We're going to put this money to work on the IMIS research study, a PHLBI project that will create the world's first online database of medical records for people with asbestos-related diseases."

The database will allow researchers to examine anonymous medical records, spot trends, and develop research/prevention strategies based on a large amount of real-world medical data. "This is the first project of its kind for asbestos-related diseases," says Dr. Cameron, "and Erwin's donation puts us well over half-way to paying for the entire project, which will cost a total of $250,000. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for this generous gift."

When Mr. Bergquist made his donation, he emphasized his "Desire to give back and to show how grateful I am to Dr. Cameron for his work not just in the operating room, but in the lab as well. If it weren’t for the doctors and the institute and the lawyers, this money would never have existed in the first place. It just makes sense to give something back." Mr. Bergquist’s mesothelioma treatment began two and a half years ago with chemotherapy.  In mid-June he celebrates two years since surgery.

Adds Like: "It’s moving to see someone give so much, but it's nothing compared to the pleasure of having gotten to know Erwin and his family personally. It's humbling, because although his donation is going to make such a difference for research, Erwin gives back in so many other ways, too. He talks to patients over the phone, to new patients going into surgery. He’s been through the whole process, and just wants to help others get through it, too."

Read Erwin Bergquist's patient profile