Memorial services were held for third-year College student Abigail Burroughs in Falls Church on Tuesday after she succumbed to cancer last weekend. Burroughs's struggle with the disease had attracted national media attention because of her friends' and family's efforts to convince drug companies to allow her access to experimental drugs which may have been effective in destroying the cancer.
Burroughs did not qualify for the clinical trials of two new cancer medications, so supporters launched a massive petitioning, lobbying, and media campaign for her to obtain the drugs under the Food and Drug Administration's "compassionate use" clause.
But the two drug companies, Imclone and AstraZeneca kept "stonewalling," Burroughs' father Frank said, and by the time a third company approached the family with another drug they thought would help Burroughs, she was too sick to make the plane trip to San Antonio where the clinical trials were being held.
She died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday afternoon at her home in Falls Church, Frank Burroughs said.
He described his daughter as a brilliant and confident as well as gentle and humble student who loved the University.
She was an Echols scholar from George Mason High School, who joined the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, served as a counselor on the Honor Committee, and studied within the Political and Social Thought program during her time at the University.
Burroughs's friends rallied around her when she was denied the unapproved drugs and circlulated petitions to send to the drug companies to convince them to treat her, eventually gathering 6,600 signatures.
The efforts garnered widespread media attention including articles in The Washington Post and a scheduled appearance on the television show, "Good Morning America." Unfortunately, Burroughs died before the taping of the show.
Frank Burroughs plans to start a foundation in memory of his daughter that would help other cancer patients in similar situations to Abigail Burroughs'. He said contributions can not be made until he sets it up with a Board of Directors and other essentials, but that Abigail was very excited about the idea and the foundation will "carry on her spirit."
Abigail Burroughs asked not to have a funeral. Instead, the family will hold a memorial service in celebration of her life on July 22 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Arlington. And afterward, she requested a party instead of a reception.
Frank Burroughs expressed his thanks and admiration for everyone who fought to help his daughter.
"There are an awful lot of good people out there," he said.
Burroughs took great care of her friends as well, her father said. In high school, she petitioned the school board to allow her friend to complete his senior year at George Mason even though he had moved across district lines.
She also helped her family in their grieving, encouraging them to carry on with their lives after she was gone.
She is survived by her father, her mother Kathleen Dunn, her stepfather Gene Krueger, and her stepbrothers William and Christopher Kreuger.
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