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thePeorian.com
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“Research discoveries such
as Dr. Rao’s provide benefits to
our global society by advancing
research innovations, improving
drug discoveries and produc-
ing life-saving answers to one of
this nation’s most baffling and
destructive diseases. Anyone can
develop cancer. Cancer is a per-
sonally devastating disease that
affects the lives of the vast major-
ity of Americans – either directly
when they personally receive the
frightful diagnosis or indirectly
when they watch a loved one or
friend battle the disease. It takes
its physical and emotional toll
on the millions who develop
this disease, on their friends and
loved ones who care for and
support them, and on the medi-
cal community who must often
stand helplessly by when the
miracles of modern medicine are
powerless against this relentless
disease.
“It is Dr. Rao’s life goal to
improve the quality of life and
survival rates for cancer patients,
and the potential societal impact
of Dr. Rao’s patented research is
tremendous. Cancer is the second
leading cause of death in the
U.S. and accounts for nearly 1
in every 4 deaths. The American
Cancer Society reports that nearly
580,000 Americans are expected
to die of cancer this year (ap-
proximately 1,600 deaths daily).
Illinois currently ranks 7th in
terms of new cancer diagnoses
and cancer-related deaths. The
National Institutes of Health
reports the overall annual costs of
cancer in 2010 was $263.8 billion,
of which $102.8 billion represent-
ed direct medical costs. Cancer
statistics are the startling reality,
but cancer research such as Dr.
Rao’s represents the promising
hope,” Rusch wrote.
Rao himself is soft spoken;
with a still-heavy Indian accent
he can be difficult to understand
when he lets his volume drop.
He said he doesn’t talk a lot, but
rather lets his results speak for
him. “My thought has always
been, ‘talk less, produce more.’ I
tell my staff that, but that is up to
each individual,” he said.
He is more concerned about
getting the world-class research
associates here to begin with.
Most he recruits, he said, are put
off by Peoria’s size and location.
“That makes it more difficult but
I ask them to not be discouraged
by how small Peoria is, but to
be encouraged by the work we
can do. Once they come here,
they don’t want to leave. That’s
because of the work but because
of Peoria, also,” Rao said.
He added he intends to stay in
Peoria for the long term, prob-
ably even retire here — if he
ever retires. “I consider myself a
Peorian now. I have no plans to
leave. It’s a nice place to live, a
family oriented place and very
friendly. I like lakes and hills and
trees. It’s a small city with a lot
of attractions. I also like that the
leaders and politicians are very
supportive of the work we are
doing. They know that Peoria is
very lucky to have the College of
Medicine. They don’t take it for
granted,” he said.
He said Dr. Rager once told
him that others in the community
warned that Rao would probably
only stay in Peoria about three
years before he’d be recruited
away. “I’m not leaving. Peoria
is now on the map in research.
Neuroresearchers all over the
world know us and where we
are. This is where I want to be,”
he said.