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Proceeds from the 33rd annual Hutch Holiday Gala will benefit the following research initiatives, and patient and family programs, including:
Childhood Cancers Initiative
The Childhood Cancers Initiative is focused on developing and evaluating new approaches for the treatment of childhood cancers, including brain tumors, leukemia and sarcoma.
Early Detection & Intervention Initiative
The Early Detection & Intervention Initiative seeks to identify markers in blood and other bodily fluids that foretell the risk, presence and prognosis of cancer and other diseases. The aim of this initiative is to improve the survival and quality of life for cancer patients through the development of new technologies for the earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment of cancer. Statistics show that early detection is crucial. Since 1950 there has been a 70 percent decline in cervical-cancer incidence and death thanks to a simple screening test called the Pap smear. If all colorectal-cancer cases were detected early, the overall five-year survival rate would improve from 64 to 90 percent. The five-year survival for patients with localized, early stage breast, colon and prostate cancer is 85 to 95 percent and remains high at 10 years.
Fundamental Research Initiative
The Fundamental Research Initiative focuses on studying the essential components of systems or structures in basic, clinical and population sciences. Examples include the study of basic properties of cells and organisms to understand how cells and genes function, development of animal models that mimic human disease but are easier to study, and using mathematical models to predict the behavior of systems and populations. The aim is to identify the underlying mechanisms of life that contribute to cancer, autoimmune disorders and many other diseases.
International Research Initiative
The International Research Initiative focuses on creating new vaccines and other preventive therapies for catastrophic illnesses that affect vast segments of the world, including HIV/AIDS and cancer. The initiative examines how genes, behavior and environment interact across the world to explain differences in incidence and mortality of disease. The aim of this initiative is to eliminate cancer and cancer-related infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, as major causes of human suffering and death in developing countries. This year, at least 20 million people will die of AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, gastric cancer and other diseases caused by infectious agents worldwide. Vaccines – just like those that spare us from smallpox and polio – hold the greatest hope for eradicating infectious diseases that cause mass suffering and death.
Hutch School
The Hutch School is a unique and accredited education program that enables pediatric patients and school-aged family members of patients to continue their education in a classroom setting during their often-lengthy stays in Seattle. Throughout the year, valuable donations from the Hutch Holiday Gala allow the Hutch School to continue providing its highly regarded quality education program.
Tumor Research Initiative
The Tumor Research Initiative focuses on developing new treatment options for breast, ovarian, prostate, colon, pancreatic and other solid-tumor cancers. The aim of this initiative is to improve survival and quality of life by detecting these tumors at an early stage and by creating improved therapies for treating these cancers. Survival rates are excellent for most cancers when tumors are found early, while still confined to their original location. Unfortunately, many tumors are detected when they are more advanced. the Hutchinson Center researchers are pioneering new approaches to detect cancer earlier and to expand delivery of cancer screening for common tumors to low-income populations.
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"We strongly believe in the mission of Fred Hutchinson and are honored to do our part in support of their quest of finding a cure for cancer. The fabulous work they are involved with somewhere, sometime will effect all of us in a positive way."
Greg & Stacy Lill
Gala Board of Directors
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