UCLA cancer researcher and anti-bullying advocate featured on ESPN
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher Dr. Andrew Goldstein was eating lunch in Westwood Village last March when he received an email on his phone with the subject line “Hoping you can help us out…”
It was from the father of a lacrosse-obsessed 12-year-old boy who had recently come out as gay to friends and family but who was struggling emotionally. Scott Lange remembered that years ago ESPN did a story about when Goldstein came out to his Dartmouth lacrosse teammaes, and wrote that his son, Braeden, had become isolated and even hinted at taking his own life. Lange wondered if Goldstein could send some sort of supportive message to his son.
“I was blown away by this kid’s courage,” said Goldstein, who knew all too well the loneliness Braeden was facing. He had felt the same way when he was Braeden’s age, afraid of telling his friends and family who he was. “To come out at such a young age I thought about how this kid must be feeling and how bad it must have been for his family to seek help from a stranger across the country. ”
So Goldstein made a video for Braeden in which he told him that he was the “bravest kid I’ve ever heard of.” Knowing Braeden was a lacrosse player he then asked several other gay lacrosse players to make videos for Braeden, too, and he also sent Braeden the helmet from his days playing professional lacrosse for the Long Island Lizards.
Since then, Goldstein, who is working on new treatments for prostate cancer, and Braeden have become friends. Earlier this year, Goldstein reached out to every gay lacrosse player he knew and organized the first lacrosse “Courage Game” for Braeden and other young athletes to encourage and support gay youth. This Sunday, a story about Goldstein and Braeden’s friendship will air on ESPN’s flagship news show, “SportsCenter.” (Watch Braeden Lange’s story here on ESPN.)
ESPN did its first story on Goldstein 10 years ago, a couple of years after he came out to his Dartmouth College lacrosse teammates.
In 2003, Goldstein’s Dartmouth lacrosse team had had a breakout year. They had the most victories in school history, won a share of the Ivy League championship and earned Dartmouth’s first NCAA tournament appearance. Even though Goldstein earned All-America honors that season, he still felt like he couldn’t play his best while keeping a big part of his life secret. But there were no openly gay team sport athletes to look up to. Goldstein said that he wanted to come out to his teammates but he worried about their reactions.
Despite his fears, Goldstein decided to share his secret with his teammates. In an essay published on outsports.com in 2004, he described this experience:
“I got two responses from the guys on my team: first, the guarantee that they would always have my back no matter what, and second, an apology for anything they may have done to make me feel uncomfortable. At one of the most historically conservative schools in the country, my teammates were there when I doubted how I might be received.”
At the time the first ESPN story aired in 2005, Goldstein was named the most accomplished male team sport athlete in North America to be openly gay while competing. That same year, he was named to the “OUT 100” list by Out Magazine.
Though Goldstein’s teammates were incredibly supportive, Braeden’s friends, classmates and teammates had mixed reactions, Goldstein said. Braeden was feeling isolated and was thinking about suicide. That’s when Braeden’s father remembered the ESPN story on Goldstein and found his email address online. Goldstein’s friendship and support over the next few months changed Braeden’s life, making him feel confident and unstoppable.
Goldstein, 32, is now married to husband Jamie Duneier and enjoying a successful scientific research career at UCLA. As an assistant researcher in the departments of molecular and medical pharmacology and the urology, Goldstein is working to find new treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer, the most advanced stage of the disease. Guided by the mentorship of physician-scientist Dr. Owen Witte, professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics at UCLA and director of the Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Goldstein was the first author of a study that identified the cells in which prostate cancer originates. The research, which garnered considerable media coverage, was published in the prestigious journal Science in 2010, a substantial achievement for a graduate student.
Goldstein, who is also a member of the UCLA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, completed his Ph.D. at UCLA in molecular biology in 2011. His research focuses on identifying and understanding the prostate cancer stem cells that are able to survive, self-renew and generate cancer in prostate tissue. Through understanding how these cells work, Goldstein hopes to find new targeted treatments that stop their progression towards cancer.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Goldstein is actively involved in the You Can Play Project, which is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation. He continues to speak with students, athletes and coaches at numerous venues around North America. Through this work, he inspires more young people like Braeden and athletes of all ages to live their truth with pride.
“To think that Braeden and his family found me because of the first ESPN piece, which was out there on YouTube,” Goldstein said. “It makes me really excited that we can share this story on such a great platform like ESPN and make an impact for another generation of kids who may feel alone.”
Things have ‘gotten so much better’ for 13-year-old gay lacrosse player
Braeden Lange is only 13 but he has had some amazing experiences in the past year.
“I can’t believe I’ve been out for over a year now,” Braeden says. “I didn’t expect to be this happy a year ago, but it has gotten so much better and I’m excited for what is in store for me!”
Lange at one point was so sad over his sexuality that he considered suicide. Now he is openly gay, proud, happy and full of life. On May 29, the Philadelphia native will take part in the second version of the charity lacrosse game he inspired.
His life changed when he met Andrew Goldstein, an openly gay former pro lacrosse player. Their friendship led them to hold the first Courage Game last May at Penn Park in downtown Philadelphia. ESPN profiled Lange and Goldstein’s relationship that led to the event.
The Courage Game’s mission is to encourage and support gay youth, rebuke bullying, and promote wider education and awareness for LGBT equality. Many people came out in support last year and this year, the Lange family is expecting an even better turnout this year with added sponsorships and more awareness. As for Goldstein, he and Braeden are still very close.
“He’s like my big brother, I still speak to him very regularly,” Braeden says.
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Young lax player raises money for homeless youth
The Courage Game has also lead to the founding of the Courage Home, a shelter to get homeless LGBTQ youth off the streets and put them on a path to success. Approximately 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT, and even though there is city support and centers open during the day, there are no overnight emergency shelters for LGBT youth. That is the need that the Lange family hopes to fill with the Courage Home. The home will be based in Philadelphia and is currently in development.
I connected with Braeden’s story because it is very similar to mine. I came out very young because I stopped wanting to hide. I was trapped with a secret, and when I revealed the fact that I was gay to friends, it didn’t make things better immediately. Things started getting better for me when I found Outsports.com. I found stories that I could relate to, and I didn’t feel so alone, just like Braeden didn’t feel alone when he met Goldstein.
Lacrosse isn’t Braeden’s only passion. “I’m a lax bro, but I also play football and soccer and basketball at my YMCA,” Braeden says. I’m going to go out for the school’s basketball team next year!”
Outside the sports world, Braeden and his family have done a lot in their community.
In March, Braeden and his family attended the first ever You Can Play Night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The themed night promoted a message against bullying and inclusivity of LGBT athletes. Several people were honored including Braeden and Philadelphia-born Brandon McManus of the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, who started the Anti-Bully Squad in 2014. Braeden was named the “Strong Kid of the Game” and received autographs from Sixers point guard Ish Smith.
Thanks @Sixers for tonight’s #YouCanPlay Night w/OPAL. “Strong Kid of the Game” I’m a #sixer ha… @YouCanPlayTeam pic.twitter.com/cFIdHukwHO
— Braeden Lange (@braedenlange04) March 30, 2016
“Ish Smith is my favorite player, and he’s a great guy, so getting an autograph from him was very special,” Braeden said. “It was an incredible feeling.”
The Sixers were the first to host such a game, and the Lange family hopes that the rest of the NBA can follow the Sixers’ lead and host promotion nights like the You Can Play Night.
I have had so many incredible opportunities come my way since writing for Outsports last year, but interviewing Braeden and the Lange family is definitely one of my favorites. I learned so much from Braeden, someone whose maturity is well beyond his 13 years. Braeden and his family have done so much in the past year, and they will continue to do more.
The other lesson people should learn from Braeden and his family is not that coming out at a younger age equals a happier life. People should come out when they are ready, and Braeden happened to be ready when he was 12. However, the Lange family saw a chance to make a difference in their son’s life and their community.
When they saw how sad Braeden was after he had first come out, they reached out to Andrew Goldstein. And when they saw a need for more awareness of LGBT equality and homelessness, they created The Courage Game, and subsequently, The Courage Home. The Lange family taught me that age and sexuality are meaningless when it comes to making a difference in the world. Anybody can be the change they wish to see in the world.
Jeremy Brener is a high school senior in Houston and an Outsports contributor. He will be attending the University of Central Florida this fall. He can be reached via email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@BrenerJeremy).
The Courage Game will be held May 29 in Philadelphia. Details here.
Langer B. – employee | TRUE – Intelligent Case Study System for Scientometric Data
Due to technical work in the data center, some of the attached files are currently unavailable.
hide
Contributors:
becker,
Kabachnik N.M.,
Kazaryan A.Yu.,
Cvejanovic S.,
Hergenhahn U.,
Lischke T.,
Prumper G.,
Rolles D.,
Terry A.,
Tulkki J.,
Viefhaus J.,
Whitfield S.B.,
Yaxley G.M. show full…,
Grum-Grzhimailo A.N.,
Kamenetsky V.S.,
Heiser F.,
Heward A.,
Korica S.,
Woodland A. B.,
de Jonge M.D.
8 articles, 1 book, 1 abstract
The number of citations of articles in journals according to the data
Web of Science: 119,
Scopus: 34
IstinaResearcherID (IRID): 837372
Activity
Journal articles
-
2015
Relationships between oxygen fugacity and metasomatism in the Kaapvaal subcratonic mantle, represented by garnet peridotite xenoliths in the Wesselton kimberlite, South Africa
Hanger Brendan J.
,
Yaxley Gregory M.,
Berry Andrew J.,
Kamenetsky Vadim S.
in magazine Lithos , publisher Elsevier BV (Netherlands) , volume 212, p. 443-452
-
-
2013
Quantitative mapping of the oxidative effects of mantle metasomatism
Berry Andrew J.,
Yaxley Gregory M.,
Hanger Brendan J.,
Woodland Alan B.
de Jonge Martin D.,
Howard Daryl L.,
Paterson David,
Kamenetsky Vadim S.
in Geology , Geological Society of America (United States) , vol. 41, no. 6, p. 683-686
-
-
2004
Energy and angular distributions of electrons emitted by direct double Auger decay
Viefhaus J.,
Cvejanovic S.,
Langer B.
Lischke T.,
Prumper G.,
Rolles D.,
Golovin A.V.,
Grum-Grzhimailo A.N.,
Kabachnik N.M.,
Becker U.
in magazine Physical Review Letters , American Physical Society (United States) , vol.
92, no. 8, p. 083001-1-083001-4
DOI
-
-
1997
Variation of the angular anisotropy in resonant Auger decay along the Mg 2p->nl excitations
Hergenhahn U.,
Whitfield S.B.,
Tulkki J.,
Heiser F.,
Kabachnik N.M.,
Langer B.
Becker U.
in Physical Review A – Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics , Publisher American Physical Society (United States) , Vol. 55, No. 3, p. 2050-2066
DOI
-
-
1994
ANGULAR ANISOTROPY IN THE RESONANT AUGER DECAY OF 2P-PHOTOEXCITED MG
WHITFIELD SB,
Hergenhahn U.
,
KABACHNIK NM,
LANGER B.,
Tulkki J.,
Becker U.
in Physical Review A – Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics , American Physical Society (United States) , vol. 50, no. 5, p. R3569-R3572
-
Articles in collections
-
2018
Monastery of Saint Aarun
Kazaryan A.,
Hancher E.
in the collection Kayseri A.
, Izmir E., Niğde B. Assessment Report of Architectural Cultural Heritage , place of issue KMKD; Anadolu Kültür and Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Istanbul , p. 312-317
-
-
2018
“Church of the Holy of Mother of God | Surb Asdvadzadzin”
Kazaryan A.,
Hancher E.
in collection Kayseri A., Izmir E., Niğde B. Assessment Report of Architectural Cultural Heritage , place of publication KMKD; Anadolu Kültür and Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Istanbul , p.
334-337
-
-
2018
Church of the Saint George | Surb Kevork”
Kazaryan A.,
Hancher E.
in compilation Kayseri A., Izmir E., Niğde B. Assessment Report of Architectural Cultural Heritage Published at KMKD; Anadolu Kültür and Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Istanbul , p. 338-341
-
Books
- 2018
Monastery of Saint Aarun”; “Church of the Holy of Mother of God | Surb Asdvadzadzin”; Church of the Saint George | Surb Kevork”; “Church of the Holy Mother of God | Surb Asdvadzadzin Church // Kayseri, Adana, Izmir, Elazιğ, Niğde, Bursa
Kazaryan A.
,
Hancher E.
place of publication KMKD Istanbul , 639 p.
- 2018
Abstracts
-
2003
Angular correlations in double Auger decay of Ne and Ar
Viefhaus J.,
Cvejanovic S.,
Grum-Grzhimailo A.,
Kabachnik N.,
Korica S.,
Langer B.
Lischke T.,
Prümper G.,
Rolles D.,
Becker U.
in the collection 23th International Conference on Physics of Electronic and Atomic Collisions (Stockholm, Sweden, 2003) , place of publication Stockholm, Sweden , abstract, p. FR-006
-
°HOTEL PARK MERLO BREDEN (Belgium) – from 6390 RUB
Very good88 reviews
10
Hotel Park Merlo – Bredene
51. 24977,
2.96944
Breden,
Belgium
6390RUB
28 photos
28 photos
28 photos
28 photos
28 photos
Address
Koningin Astridlaan 15,
Breden,
Belgium,
8450
,Flanders
Show map
Description
Located in Bredene, the Park Hotel Merlo offers free parking, a smoking area and parking.
Location
Fort Napoleon is 2.7 km from the hotel, while Albert I Promenade is 4.5 km away. The city center is 2 km from the hotel. Nearby attractions include The Strand and Park PAELSTEENVELD.
The nearest bus stop “Bredene Centrumplein” is 1000 meters away.
Dining
Dining options are available at Aan de Zee and Alaska Restaurants, a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
Internet
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
Parking
Free private parking is available on site.
The hotel staff speaks English, German, Dutch.
Number of rooms: 21.
Amenities
Most Popular Amenities
Free parking
Luggage storage
24 hour service
Food/ Drinks
Outdoor Dining
Snack Bar
Picnic Tables
Laundry
TV
Flat screen TV
Kitchenware
Kettle
Kitchenware
General
- Wi-Fi
- Free parking
- Food/Beverages
- Laundry
- TV
- Kitchenware
Sports & Fitness
- Windsurfing
- Diving
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Cycling
- Tennis court
- Golf Course
- Table tennis
- Fishing
Services
- Laundry
Catering
- Snack bar
- Outdoor dining
- Picnic tables
For children
- Baby cots
- Children’s playground
Leisure
- Beach access
- Aquapark
- Garden
Amenities in the room
- Heating
- Rest area
- Terrace
- Garden furniture
- Dining table
Kitchenware
- Electric kettle
- Kitchenware
Media
- Flat screen TV
Interior
- Parquet flooring
Show all amenitiesHide list of amenities
Important information
Extra bedsThere are no extra beds available in a room.
Pets Pets are allowed on request.
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Rooms and Availability
Chalets
Max:
2 guests
-
Mountain view
-
Shower
-
Coffee machine
-
Heating
More about the room
House “Holiday”
2 photos
Max:
4 guests
-
Sea view
-
Shower
-
Coffee machine
-
Heating
-
Balcony
Details of the number
Location
Koningin Astridlaan 15,
Breden,
Belgium,
8450
, Flanders
- Famous places of the city
- Nearby
- Restaurants
- Hotels around
Vuurtorenweg 1\u002FZ
Fort Napoleon
2. 7
km
Zegelaan 42
Museum Turkeyenhof
1.1
km
8450
Kapel van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ter Duinen
890 m
Park
Grasduinen
1.8
km
Koninklijke Baan
Paelsteenpanne
1.4
km
Koerslaan
D’Heye
1.7
km
Watertoren
1.8
km
Zwanestraat 11
Ryckewaertshof
1.9
km
Oostelijke Strekdam 1
HMS Vindictive
3.3
km
Albert I-promenade
Ostend beach
4.1
km
Vindictivelaan
Mercator Museum
4.3
km
Spuikom
2.7
km
Square
Church of St. Peter and Paul
4.0
km
Lighthouse
Lange Nelle Lighthouse
3.1
km
Visserijdok
3.2
km
Vuurtoren
3.1
km
Slijkensesteenweg 2
Port of Ostend
3.4
km
Park
Park Leopold
4.5
km
Zeeheldenplein
Ostend Sand Sculpture Festival
4. 0
km
Buskruitstraat 1
De Halve Maan
3.3
km
Museum
Ostend City Museum
4.0
km
Park
Park im. Maria Henryka
4.4
km
Albert I-promenade
Rock Strangers
3.9
km
Church
Kapucijnenkerk
4.0
km
Harbor
Westerstaketsel
3.7
km
Museum
Amandine Ship Museum
3.9
km
Prins Boudewijnstraat 5
Sint-Pieterstoren
4.1
km
Koninklijke Baan 285
Breden beach
40 m
Kapelstraat 76
Park PAELSTEENVELD
40 m
90 002 Kapelstraat 76
Uit in Bredene
40 m
Restaurant
Alaska
100 m
Restaurant
Tarallucci
160 m
Restaurant
Moeder Lambik
130 m
Restaurant
‘t Bosje 9 0003
230 m
Restaurant
Tearoom De Golf
350 m
Restaurant
China Town
380 m
Restaurant
Lidl 90 003
370 m
Restaurant
Restaurant Brasserie Helvetia
580 m
Restaurant
Le Homard et La Moule By Seaweedchef
790 m
Transport
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Need a transfer?
You can book your transfer after you have completed your booking at the hotel.
Guest reviews Park Merlo
7.6
Very good8 reviews
Frequently asked questions about Park Merlo
What airport is Park Merlo located near?
Hotel Park Merlo is located 0.5 km from Ostend-Bruges International Airport.
What are the cancellation conditions for the Park Merlo Hotel Breden?
Hotel Park Merlo Bredene free cancellation.
Is Park Merlo Bredene far from the city center?
The distance between the Park Hotel Merlo Bredene and the city center is 2 km.
Is there internet at the Park Merlo Hotel?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the Park Merlo Hotel.
Where are the best places to visit near Park Merlo?
Popular points of interest near Park Merlo include Breden Beach and Park PAELSTEENVELD.
Does the Park Merlo hotel staff speak any foreign languages?
Yes, the Park Merlo staff can communicate in German, Dutch and English.
Are there restaurants near Park Merlo Hotel?
Popular establishments in the area include Tarallucci and Moeder Lambik. It is a 5 minute walk from the Park Merlo Hotel.
Is it possible to leave the car on the territory of the Hotel Park Merlo?
Yes, Park Merlo guests can leave their car in the on-site car park.
How much does it cost to stay at Park Merlo?
A room in Park Merlo costs from 76€.
What rooms are available at the Park Merlo Hotel Breden?
Hotel Park Merlo Bredene offers you to choose from such options: House “Holiday” and Chalet.
Are you able to exercise at Park Merlo Bredene?
Yes, diving, cycling and ping-pong can be enjoyed as a guest of Park Merlo Bredene.
Is there any public transport near the Park Merlo Bredene?
Yes, there is a bus stop Bredene Kapelletje at a distance of 950 meters from the Park Merlo Hotel Bredene.