Gary Schiller and the UCLA Basketball Legacy: More Than Just Sports

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is renowned for its academic excellence and its prominent athletic programs. Beyond the basketball court, UCLA is making strides in medicine, research, and community engagement. One individual who embodies this multifaceted excellence is Dr. Gary Schiller, a professor of hematology-oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a researcher at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. While not directly involved with the basketball program, Dr. Schiller's work intersects with the broader UCLA community and reflects the university's commitment to advancing knowledge and improving lives.

UCLA's Broader Impact: Beyond the Basketball Court

UCLA's influence extends far beyond its athletic achievements. The university is a hub of research and innovation, addressing critical issues in healthcare, education, and social justice. Here's a glimpse into some of the impactful work happening at UCLA:

Advancing Concussion Treatment

Dr. Christopher Giza, director of UCLA’s Steve Tisch Brain Sports Program, highlights the complexities of concussion treatment. He explains that most treatments "are focused on the first four weeks after the injury: monitoring symptoms, avoiding reinjury, engaging in a modest level of activity, and just letting time pass." However, he notes that this approach "doesn’t tend to work when you are outside that four-week gap." Dr. Giza emphasizes the intricate nature of brain injuries, stating, "I often refer to concussion and traumatic brain injury as the most complex injury to the most complex organ."

Addressing the Need for Blood Donations

Dr. Gary Schiller, a professor of hematology-oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and researcher at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, has spoken about the critical need for blood donations. “Red blood cells from donors when you don’t make red cells carry oxygen and platelets from donors when you donate platelets to prevent you from having life-threatening hemorrhage,” he said.

Innovative Approaches to Education

Pedro Noguera, a professor of education at UCLA, has offered insightful commentary on educational issues. He acknowledged the importance and legitimacy of demands for investment in schools, highlighting the need to address critical needs within the education system.

Unveiling the Impact of Clutter on Stress Levels

Researchers at UCLA conducted a study in 2009 that revealed a correlation between cluttered homes and chronic stress in mothers. The study found that mothers who described their homes as "cluttered" exhibited a stress hormone profile indicative of chronic stress.

The Slam Dunk and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Legacy

In 1967, the slam dunk was banned from college basketball, largely due to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's dominance. Then known as Lew Alcindor, Abdul-Jabbar adapted to the rule change by developing his signature "skyhook" shot, which became virtually unstoppable. Lynn Shackelford, a teammate of Abdul-Jabbar's at UCLA, noted, "The skyhook was the most unstoppable shot; I don’t think he ever missed in practice."

Abdul-Jabbar's impact on college basketball was immense. His teams won three New York City championships in high school, losing only twice in three seasons. At UCLA, he continued his winning ways, establishing new standards of excellence. Despite facing challenges, including heckling from fans and physical wear and tear, Abdul-Jabbar persevered.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Battle with Leukemia

Years after his illustrious basketball career, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. He disclosed his condition to raise awareness about the disease.

Dr. Gary Schiller, with the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, explained that treatment for this type of leukemia has "dramatically improved" in the last decade, thanks to new drugs that produce "remission of really high quality in 85 percent of patients… (who) function normally with very, very few side effects." While the drugs do not cure the disease, they effectively control it.

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Abdul-Jabbar's openness about his diagnosis has been praised by those on the front lines of the battle against cancer. Dr. Schiller noted, "It’s good for patients who have the disease. It brings awareness to cancer and cancer research."

Hope for Sickle Cell Disease: Gene Therapy at UCLA

UCLA is at the forefront of research into gene therapy for sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder that affects thousands of people. Dr. Donald Kohn, a physician-scientist at the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center, is leading a clinical trial that offers hope for a cure.

The Challenges of Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is characterized by defective hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This leads to misshapen, sticky red blood cells that can block blood vessels, causing pain crises and organ damage.

Gene Therapy: A Promising Approach

The clinical trial at UCLA involves genetically modifying a patient's blood stem cells to produce non-sickling hemoglobin. While it is still early, the results have been promising. As Dr. Kohn notes, "It’s too soon to use the ‘c’ word, to say there’s a cure. But things are looking very promising."

The Story of Evie Junior

Evie Junior, a 27-year-old former EMT, participated in the clinical trial after struggling with sickle cell disease for most of his life. He faced numerous health challenges, including the removal of his spleen and gallbladder. Gene therapy offered him a chance at a better life.

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Dr. Donald Kohn's Dedication to Gene Therapy

Dr. Kohn's journey into gene therapy began during his medical school years. He recognized the limitations of bone-marrow transplants and sought to develop alternative treatments. His work has focused on using cells harvested from the patient's own body, genetically modified to combat the disease.

Overcoming Obstacles

Research on gene therapy for sickle cell disease has faced challenges, including the complexity of the genetic mutation and the need to correct a significant percentage of a patient's blood stem cells. However, advancements in gene-therapy techniques and a deeper understanding of sickle cell disease have paved the way for breakthroughs.

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has played a crucial role in supporting Dr. Kohn's research on sickle cell disease. CIRM's funding has enabled him to conduct preclinical studies and launch clinical trials.

A Multifaceted Approach

Dr. Kohn's research extends beyond lentiviral vectors. He is also exploring gene-editing tools like CRISPR Cas-9 and combining different anti-sickling genes. His goal is to develop a more affordable and effective gene therapy for sickle cell disease.

The Power of Blood Donation: Tyler Bacon's Story

Tyler Bacon, a former professional basketball player, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He received 29 units of blood and platelets from 26 donors, which were crucial to his survival.

Dr. Gary Schiller, Bacon's oncologist, emphasized the importance of blood transfusions, stating, "When your body doesn’t make red blood cells to carry oxygen and doesn’t make platelets to clot the blood, you must rely on transfusions to prevent you from having a life-threatening hemorrhage."

Bacon's story highlights the profound impact of blood donation. Meeting his donors was an emotional experience for him. “Because you showed up and donated, my parents have a son,” he said. “My kids have a dad. My wife has a husband.”

Remembering the Holocaust: The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

Dr. Gary Schiller serves as chairman of the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, an institution dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating future generations. He believes that the future of Holocaust scholarship lies in engaging young people, particularly those outside the Jewish community.

The Jay Shalmoni Memorial Holocaust Arts and Writing Contest pairs students with Holocaust survivors, encouraging them to create art projects based on their encounters. This initiative helps personalize the Holocaust experience and fosters a deeper understanding of its impact.

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