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All Eyes photo gallery: Tampa Bay Rays bring relief to Puerto Rico, salvage cancer study

 
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno and his family collect their luggage before boarding a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island.
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno and his family collect their luggage before boarding a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island.
Published Oct. 12, 2017

While Hurricane Maria's 155 mph winds were rushing over Dr. Jaime Matta's coffee farm in the mountains Sept. 20, his thoughts raced to the precious vials of cancerous tissue in his lab at Ponce Health Sciences University.

A decade's worth of study hinged on the precisely negative 150 degree Celsius coolers maintaining their temperature. Once the storm passed, there was no way he would trust the generators while the island dealt with a catastrophic recovery and weeks without power.

"I was praying for the tissues," Matta said. "They are irreplaceable."

He and two dozen other researchers have spent years studying these samples from cancer patients, building a one-of-a-kind bank to analyze health disparities in Hispanic patients, in partnership with scientists at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.

As soon as Maria passed, Matta was determined to evacuate the 3,000 samples to the Moffitt sister lab for safe keeping.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Jerry Williamson, left, with Signature Flight Support, and Dr. Scott Antonia load a cart with "mushroom containers" for a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island. The mushroom containers will be used to transport tissue samples from Ponce. Antonio is the Chair of Thoracic Oncology at Moffitt.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Jerry Williamson, left, with Signature Flight Support, and Dr. Scott Antonia load a cart with "mushroom containers" for a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island. The mushroom containers will be used to transport tissue samples from Ponce. Antonio is the Chair of Thoracic Oncology at Moffitt.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Jerry Williamson, with Signature Flight Support, loads a "mushroom container" onto a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island. The mushroom container will be used to transport tissue samples from the research center.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Jerry Williamson, with Signature Flight Support, loads a "mushroom container" onto a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island. The mushroom container will be used to transport tissue samples from the research center.

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WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Jerry Williamson, with Signature Flight Support, loads a "mushroom container" onto a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island. The mushroom container will be used to transport tissue samples from the research center.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Jerry Williamson, with Signature Flight Support, loads a "mushroom container" onto a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island. The mushroom container will be used to transport tissue samples from the research center.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Antonio Soler, with the Course of Action Foundation, Tampa, loads medical supplies and aid onto a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Antonio Soler, with the Course of Action Foundation, Tampa, loads medical supplies and aid onto a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Cases of bottled water are loaded onto a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Cases of bottled water are loaded onto a flight to Puerto Rico in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. In a joint effort between the Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center a plane with medical supplies and aid is bound for Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday and will return with some Rays family members, cancer patients, and tissue samples from a research center on the island.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno looks out of a window after arriving to the airport in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Cedeno and his wife returned to Puerto Rico for the offseason and plan to be involved in relief efforts for their families and elsewhere on the island.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno looks out of a window after arriving to the airport in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Cedeno and his wife returned to Puerto Rico for the offseason and plan to be involved in relief efforts for their families and elsewhere on the island.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Water, medical supplies, and other items are unloaded from the Signature Flight Support aircraft in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Water, medical supplies, and other items are unloaded from the Signature Flight Support aircraft in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

A view of Ponce, on the southern side of Puerto Rico seen from the Signature Flight Support aircraft on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

A view of Ponce, on the southern side of Puerto Rico seen from the Signature Flight Support aircraft on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

A view of Ponce, on the southern side of Puerto Rico seen from the Signature Flight Support aircraft on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

A view of Ponce, on the southern side of Puerto Rico seen from the Signature Flight Support aircraft on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Rep. Janet Cruz D-Tampa, center, gets a hug from Laney Lee, facing, Senior Consultant with the Global Preventative Medicine Research and Development Center of Johns Hopkins University, after arriving in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Rep. Janet Cruz D-Tampa, center, gets a hug from Laney Lee, facing, Senior Consultant with the Global Preventative Medicine Research and Development Center of Johns Hopkins University, after arriving in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Jose Raul Montoyo, left facing, hugs his father, Raul, as Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno, second from right, greets Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo's parents, Nidya, left, and Felix, right, after arriving in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Jose Raul Montoyo, left facing, hugs his father, Raul, as Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno, second from right, greets Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo's parents, Nidya, left, and Felix, right, after arriving in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

R obert Montoyo, 51, facing, hugs his mother, Nidya, 74, after arriving in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Robert is Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo's brother. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

R obert Montoyo, 51, facing, hugs his mother, Nidya, 74, after arriving in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Robert is Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo's brother. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Twisted and broken trees seen on the road from the airport into Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Twisted and broken trees seen on the road from the airport into Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

A handful of standing fans and loose paperwork provide a little relief from the heat in the clinic operating on generator power at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

A handful of standing fans and loose paperwork provide a little relief from the heat in the clinic operating on generator power at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Residents wait outside of the clinic at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Residents wait outside of the clinic at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Marta Echavarria, 69, left, looks on as her daughter, Karen Torres Echavarria, 46, wipes away tears outside of the clinic at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Karen takes care of her mother, who is bipolar, and has been to the hospital three times trying to get medication to treat Marta's bipolar disorder. Since Hurricane Maria, her mother's condition has worsened and Karen has lost her job with the Department of Education in her efforts to care for her. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Marta Echavarria, 69, left, looks on as her daughter, Karen Torres Echavarria, 46, wipes away tears outside of the clinic at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Karen takes care of her mother, who is bipolar, and has been to the hospital three times trying to get medication to treat Marta's bipolar disorder. Since Hurricane Maria, her mother's condition has worsened and Karen has lost her job with the Department of Education in her efforts to care for her. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Dr. Julie Dutil, an associate professor studying the genetics of breast cancer at Ponce Health Sciences University loads tissue samples into a pickup truck in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Dr. Julie Dutil, an associate professor studying the genetics of breast cancer at Ponce Health Sciences University loads tissue samples into a pickup truck in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Guillermo Armaiz, 32, left, and Carmen Ortiz, 31, carry a "mushroom container" holding tissue samples at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico to be sent to Moffitt Cancer Center on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Guillermo Armaiz, 32, left, and Carmen Ortiz, 31, carry a "mushroom container" holding tissue samples at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico to be sent to Moffitt Cancer Center on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Dr. Julie Dutil, an associate professor studying the genetics of breast cancer at Ponce Health Sciences University loads tissue samples into a pickup truck in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Dr. Julie Dutil, an associate professor studying the genetics of breast cancer at Ponce Health Sciences University loads tissue samples into a pickup truck in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Kenira Thompson, right, President of Ponce Medical School Foundation, high fives Dr. Idhelise Flores after about 3,000 tissue samples bound for Moffitt Cancer Center made it to the airport in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Kenira Thompson, right, President of Ponce Medical School Foundation, high fives Dr. Idhelise Flores after about 3,000 tissue samples bound for Moffitt Cancer Center made it to the airport in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Leaning on a truck loaded with bottled water, Dr. Jaime Matta, Professor of Pharmacology at Ponce Health Sciences University, watches as about 3,000 tissue samples bound for Moffitt Cancer Center are loaded onto a plane at the airport in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Leaning on a truck loaded with bottled water, Dr. Jaime Matta, Professor of Pharmacology at Ponce Health Sciences University, watches as about 3,000 tissue samples bound for Moffitt Cancer Center are loaded onto a plane at the airport in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Passengers, including a group of cancer patients and their caregivers, arrive to Tampa, Fla. from Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Passengers, including a group of cancer patients and their caregivers, arrive to Tampa, Fla. from Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Rep. Janet Cruz D-Tampa, left, Rafaela Amador, Tampa Bay Rays Senior Director of Public Relations, center, and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman talk with reporters during a press conference at Signature Flight Support in Tampa, Fla. after returning from Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.

WILL VRAGOVIC | Times

Rep. Janet Cruz D-Tampa, left, Rafaela Amador, Tampa Bay Rays Senior Director of Public Relations, center, and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman talk with reporters during a press conference at Signature Flight Support in Tampa, Fla. after returning from Ponce, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. A partnership between Rays Baseball, Moffitt Cancer Center, and several other organizations facilitated the delivery of aid for the island as well as provided evacuation for several cancer patients, some Rays organization family members, and about 3,000 tissue samples in an effort to protect over a decade of research at PHSU in cancer treatment.