Hope for the Future: Winston’s Golden Promise
Anne Marie Messano Petrie and her husband Geoff Petrie are grieving the loss of their beloved golden retriever Winston, who passed away last year from hemangiosarcoma (HSA). A particularly aggressive canine cancer, HSA is known as a silent killer. Although some treatments are available to extend a dog’s life, it is rarely curable. In the midst of their loss, they have established Winston’s Golden Promise, a fund in support of UC Davis’ canine cancer research.
“Last spring, Winston keeled over and couldn’t get up,” said Anne Marie. Their hospital veterinarians ran a number of tests and diagnosed Winston with fluid around his heart, which could be drained. They also noted the presence of a mass around his heart, which indicated cancer.
As Anne Marie and Geoff processed the news, they worked with the oncologist to begin Winston’s first chemotherapy and started to make arrangements for the radiation.
“Then it came to me...UC Davis has some of the best clinicians and researchers in the world when it comes to veterinary and human oncology. They may be able to advise us on how to help Winston,” she said.
Within a few days, Winston had his first appointment with Dr. Michael Kent and his team at the CCAH. The first imaging done on Winston at UC Davis last spring showed no mass, and there was no more fluid. Dr. Kent recommended closely monitoring him for tumors. Throughout the summer, Winston had ultrasounds and CT scans. In mid-August, Winston collapsed again. Anne Marie and Geoff rushed him to the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital emergency service, where the team stabilized him. The clinicians did another round of scans. Dr. Kent and his team reviewed the scans with Anne Marie and Geoff. Sadly, within the four-week time since Winston’s last imaging, the aggressive cancer had returned.
“Dr. Kent was so helpful during this time. He gave us the heartbreaking news that there wasn’t anything that could be done given how aggressive HSA is,” said Anne Marie. “He provided the roadmap for us so we could support Winston, until we knew it was time to say goodbye.”
Winston’s passing in late August is still very difficult for Anne Marie and Geoff. In her grief, she found a way to create a path forward for Winston’s memory by establishing Winston’s Golden Promise. “If you love animals, and if you want to support the number one veterinary school in the country do its best to cure this and other canine cancers, contribute to this fund,” she said. “The time is now.”
The first grants funded by Winston’s Golden Promise to find new ways to treat this disease are being reviewed and granted this spring.
To learn more and contribute to Winston’s Golden Promise Fund, please visit: https://give.ucdavis.edu/VCAH/77033