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Victor's Story

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Victor and Hugo Alvarez
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Hugo and Victor Alvarez
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As a young medical student, Victor was relentless in his quest to save Hugo from osteosarcoma. Victor's fight to save his brother motivated him to become an expert in head and neck cancers and to work toward curing the disease that eventually claimed his brother's life. 

“Most of what I do is networking to find out what ways I can help the field,” Victor said. In addition to leading the Baylor Students Against Cancer Group, he networks with cancer experts across the Texas Medical Center to see how he can bring more opportunities to students interested in pursuing careers in cancer research and care. 

Many of the trainees he has helped connect with cancer research projects have written to him thanking him for enabling them to meet with Baylor’s cancer scientists and to participate in their projects. He aims to increase the reputation of Baylor’s Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center as the premier cancer center in the nation. He also is running Baylor’s campaign against vaping through the Cancer Prevention Advisory Council.

Outside of Baylor, Victor is the lead volunteer for District 22 for the American Cancer Society. This allows him to meet important legislators and other key stakeholders to form policies and push bills forward. He also speaks with physician-scientists from across the nation involved in projects for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to keep informed about the latest practices and findings in cancer research.

“There is nothing that I think I cannot do, so I keep saying yes,” Victor added. Already, he has touched hundreds of lives by supporting his brother, connecting his peers with cancer research projects at Baylor that will accelerate their careers as young scientists and providing information to Houston citizens about cancer studies and therapies. He fully represents what makes our institution a truly special place, a learning health system with faculty members who collaborate to improve healthcare for all and deliver it with the greatest compassion.