We knew him locally as a radio and TV engineer and owner of JET Broadcasting Company. The world came to know him as a pioneer in cancer research and founder of the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation.
John Kanzius died this past Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at a hospital near Sanibel, Florida after a long battle with cancer, the same battle that motivated him to begin his work in finding a cure.
Kanzius had no background in science or medicine, or even a college degree. What he did have was an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion to help the kids he saw suffering in the cancer ward of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Kanzius’ background was in radio and television, starting with studies in electronics and electrical engineering at the Allegheny Technical Institute and the University of Pittsburgh. He was an inventor with several patents on file in the United States, and received international patents for his targeted radio wave procedure.
His work specifically involved finding ways to use radio wave nanoparticles to create energy. The waves are harmless to humans, but create and pass energy that can kill targeted cancer cells – all without the side effects like those typically suffered as a result of chemotherapy and radiology
But how do you target the cancer cells? Metal heats up when exposed to high-powered radio waves. Injecting nanoparticles of metal – such as copper sulfate – into specific cancer cells targets them, and the heat kills them without damaging the cells around them. Even better? None of the side effects.
Now two major research centers – University of Pittsburgh and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center – both have laboratories set up with the necessary equipment to do further testing.
So far the testing shows that work targeted on static cancer cells is a success. The next goal it determine how to attack metastasizing cells or ‘rogue’ cells spreading to other parts of the body.
Studies are being done now to see if there’s a way to program molecules to target cancer cells and attach nanoparticles to just those cells. Success in this study would jump one of the last remaining hurdles to make all of this work a reality, and allow for the beginning of testing on human cancer patients.
John Kanzius leaves behind more survivors than his wife Marianne, two children Sherry Kanzius and Toni Palmer and two granddaughters. He also leaves behind the many cancer survivors who will undoubtedly owe their lives to his tireless work.
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John Kanzius will be sorely missed! This wonderful man was kind enough that when my Mother was diagnosed for the 2nd time with cancer, this time in her lungs, he returned an e-mail from my fearful Father. The message he sent to my Father included the name of the Co-Director of the Lung & Esophageal Cancer Program, Dr. James Luketich. This one seemingly small effort was the difference between the surgeon in Erie who wanted to remove my Mother's entire left lung, to a trip through a blizzard to UPMC one November morning where Dr. Luketich removed 1/4 of one lobe of her left lung. I will never forget this seemingly small act of kindness & the huge difference it made in our lives. What a gift John Kanzius was to this world. My thoughts & prayers go out to all of his family & friends.
Linda,
My father was a very kind soul and I am glad to hear he made your mother's life better in the only way that he could. Thank you for your kind words.
Sherry Kanzius
Dear Ms Kanzius,
Our 5th grade son Arran has a class project on “people who made a difference in America” and he would like to write about your father.
Would it be possible if you could send some information about his earlier life, and if you could include a picture of him we would be very grateful.
Your sincerely
Maureen and Graeme Taylor