The two new funds are the Ken Ludlow Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund and the Kenneth E. Ludlow Fund for Cancer Research, inspired by his partner’s cancer journey through UC Health.
The University of Cincinnati has two new endowed funds available courtesy of alumnus Ken Ludlow. Ludlow established the Ken Ludlow Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund to support student athletes through their college education and the Kenneth E. Ludlow Fund for Cancer Research for important cancer research and related expenses.
According to an article on the University of Cincinnati’s website, Ludlow and his partner, Charlene Comeaux, explained Comeaux’s recent battle with cancer, which started with a routine dental checkup. Following noticing some discomfort around a couple of tooth implants, Comeaux was diagnosed with stage four oral cancer.
Comeaux had a 12-hour surgery at UC Medical Center, conducted by Chad Zender, MD, the senior vice president and chief of physician practices at UC Health, and Dustin Silverman, MD, who is the assistant program director of the fellowship in head and neck cancer. The surgery involved removing the cancer and then reconstructing her jaw using bone from her leg.
Following the surgery, Comeaux said, “I had a broken jaw, a cheek the size of a grapefruit, nerve damage and a drooping lower lip. Not to mention the heavy metal boot that must be worn every time I get out of bed to protect my leg where the bone graft occurred.”
Speaking of her condition when he was able to see her, Ludlow said, “She looked like she’d been hit by a tractor trailer truck. During the next six days of intensive care, an army of nurses and doctors monitored her, overseeing every aspect of her condition. It was unbelievable.”
After being readmitted to take care of infections that developed during recovery, Comeaux’s outlook is positive. She said, “I’m 18 months out getting clean CT scans, and I am told if things stay that way for two years, it's a 99% chance it will not return. I'm blessed to have had all the caring professionals in my corner and do not take that support and care for granted.”
Ludlow noted, “After the experience that I witnessed, and what she went through, I thought, ‘UC Health is doing good work and I want to support them.’”
This experience is what made Ludlow decide to establish an estate gift to help support the research and work being done by UC Health. The Kenneth E. Ludlow Fund for Cancer Research will support research, especially oral and maxillofacial cancers, and will provide funding for pilots, clinical trials, training opportunities, and more.
The inspiration behind his endowment for student athletes, the Ken Ludlow Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund, comes from his and Comeaux’s enjoyment of Bearcats football and basketball games.
“If we’re not going to UC games, we’re watching them at home,” said Ludlow.
For more information about the University of Cincinnati, visit the school’s website.