About

The THANC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and one of the largest private funders of thyroid and head and neck cancer research in the U.S.

The Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer (THANC) Foundation is committed to supporting research and education in the early detection and treatment of thyroid and head and neck cancer, to advancing new therapies, and to alleviating the suffering and functional impairment of patients who undergo treatment.

Founded in 2003, the THANC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and one of the largest private funders of thyroid and head and neck cancer research in the country. Under the medical direction of Dr. Mark Urken, the THANC Foundation participates in functional outcomes research by evaluating the impact of thyroid, head and neck cancer treatment on the function of the patient following completion of therapy. In addition to research, the THANC Foundation sponsors education programs, community awareness, and patient outreach and support programs. The THANC Foundation is based in the Institute for Head and Neck and Thyroid Cancer at Mount Sinai Downtown Union Square.

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Research

THANC has awarded grants to outstanding senior and junior investigators whose clinical and behavioral work has opened exciting new research pathways, developed earlier detection methods and explored potentially more effective treatments. Many of these THANC-supported researchers have gone on to secure NIH funding.

THANC supports our in-house functional outcomes research center, which consists of a team of multidisciplinary clinicians and assistants who advance initiatives in the fields of thyroid and head and neck cancer research.

The Thyroid, Head & Neck Cancer Guide

The Thyroid, Head & Neck Cancer Guide is supported in part by a grant from Mount Sinai Beth Israel and was made possible by a generous donation in loving memory of Peter Lane. Peter Lane struggled with head and neck cancer, and his family wished to honor his memory by developing a website to help patients and their families through their journey.

In memory of Peter, the THANC foundation developed The Thyroid, Head & Neck Cancer Guide, a comprehensive resource to help patients and their loved ones understand and prepare for every step of the cancer journey. The THANC Guide strives to provide information that is written by experts but easy to understand, for adults, teens and children, on diagnosis, treatments, emotional challenges, medical decision making and much more.

Anyone affected by head and neck cancer can use this guide to help cope with and better understand the cancer journey.

Developed by doctors who specialize in treating head and neck cancers and designed with the input of patients, caregivers and their loved ones, the THANC Guide is the most complete resource of its kind available.

The Lane Family

The Lane family has chosen to honor the memory of their beloved father, husband, grandfather, colleague and friend Peter A. Lane through generous support provided to create the THANC Guide. Nothing would have made Peter happier than knowing that funds contributed in his honor would be used to improve the quality of life of patients struggling with head and neck and thyroid cancers. The Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer guide will honor Peter Lane by providing patients, their families and their entire circle of caregivers—including children, teens and adults—the information and support needed to get through diagnosis and treatment for head and neck and thyroid cancer.

The THANC Foundation extends our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Lane family for the generous support which has made the THANC Guide possible.

Contributors

Mark L. Urken, MD, FACS, FACE

Mark L. Urken, MD, FACS

Camilo Gonzalez-Velazquez, MD

Camilo Gonzalez-Velazquez, MD

Saral Mehra

Saral Mehra, MD, MBA

Other Contributors