T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Cameron James, right, and Arthur James, son and grandson of Arthur G. James give a presentation Thursday at Ohio University Eastern about his mission to eradicate cancer.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Area rotarians and colleges recognized Belmont County native Arthur G. James on Thursday at a presentation at Ohio University Eastern. James, a doctor who devoted his life to combating cancer, has impacted many with his work.

James’ son, Cameron James, and grandson, Arthur James, both of Columbus, spoke about him.

Cameron James described his father’s early years, coming from rural Belmont County.

“The son of Italian immigrants, his father originally was a coal miner, then he had a little grocery store in the mining camp. My dad graduated in 1930 from St. Clairsville High School and got a scholarship to Ohio State, and that changed everything,” Cameron James said, adding in his father’s travels training in medicine, he became more aware of cancer and its treatment, particularly at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

“He saw how they were able to get better results for patients because they specialized only in cancer, and he wanted that for Ohio and the midwest, and it took him about 40 years, but he got that accomplished,” he said. The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute would open in 1990.

“He was a very kind, gentle person. He had tremendous regard for everybody, and he cared very deeply about people, especially his patients. His advice to young people was to have a dream that’s bigger than you are, and never give up on your dream. He wanted the very best possible care for his patients and for anyone dealing with cancer, and he knew we could do better if we had a specialty hospital for cancer,” he said.

Cameron James said his father’s center now sees patients from around the world and the top talent in cancer researchers. He said his father’s compassion for cancer patients extended to planning and management of the center.

“He wanted cancer researchers to be working in the hospital, so on every floor they had a research center so the researchers were riding the elevators with the patients. He thought that having them close there meant they could see the importance of their research and they could collaborate with doctors,” he said.

“I meet people who say: ‘You know what? Five years ago, I wouldn’t still be alive, but because of the research and the treatments, how they’ve improved, I am here. We’re hearing that more and more,” he said. “My dad was born in 1912, and you didn’t even mention cancer back then. The family wouldn’t talk about it because they thought there was nothing to be done.”

Cameron James said his father would be proud that many were continuing his mission of one day curing cancer.

“There was no question in his mind that we were going to eradicate cancer. He would talk about other so-called incurable diseases,” he said.

Cameron James also commented on the role of the local area in making his father the man he was.

“I think the lessons he learned as a child in Belmont County developed him and gave him the wherewithal to withstand the challenges of trying to get the hospital built. We used to come over and go fishing on Piedmont Lake,” he said. “There was a constant connection back here with Belmont County.”

Arthur James also recalled Arthur G. James.

“My grandfather had a tremendous work ethic,” he said. “I think that was something too that he brought with him in a multi-decade-long effort to get to a freestanding cancer hospital here. At that time, you didn’t have any freestanding hospital like that dedicated to cancer research and cancer patients except for Texas and New York.

“What would my grandfather say today if he saw the progress that has been made at the James Center? He would be tremendously proud of the progress that’s been made since, and he would be very fascinated by all the major feats and steps toward a cure that’ve been made since, that are exponentially growing. He would be very appreciative of the Rotary for raising awareness and encouraging people to give or to volunteer.”

Several guests who were patients at the James Cancer Center or who had family in the center attended the presentation.

Robert Makofsky of St. Clairsville recalled his diagnosis with two types of cancer in 2012, while he was living in Steubenville.

“I was the president of the American Cancer Society in Steubenville,” he said. “I had mantle cell lymphoma and bladder cancer. … I was admitted out to the James in September of 2012. I had to have chemo for eight months, then I had to have treatment for my bladder, which was another five months.”

He appreciates the work done at the center.

“The place was just so remarkable. Everybody out there was so helpful and courteous,” he said. “(James) was an incredible man. I’m sorry I didn’t get to know he was from St. Clairsville.”

Pat Green-Wallace of Martins Ferry, president of the St. Clairsville High School Alumni Association, said in 1994 he was the first recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for the St. Clairsville High School Alumni.

“In 2011, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I chose to go to the James Cancer Center, and they took wonderful care of me, treated me like I was their family,” she said. “Twelve years later, I’m still cancer-free.”

The presentation included scenes of videos of Arthur G. James’ life. Other speakers included Barnesville Rotarian Nancy Napolitano.

Peggy Murgatroyd, past district governor of the Rotary Kicks Cancer endowment, said in 2005 Rotary District 6690 created the endowment with the James Center.

“I think it’s remarkable that one person had the vision to want to help with cancer patients,” she said. “To see his vision become a reality. It’s been here so many years and continue to grow.”

People wishing to donate can send to Rotary 6690, care of treasurer John Vogelpohl, 4801 Piedmont Drive, Hilliard, Ohio 43026. Make checks payable to The James Hospital and write “Rotary Kick Cancer” in the memo section.