Gala's 30th = $7.6 million
A culinary adventure like no other: "Premier Chefs Dinner"
20th Travel & Leisure auction will whisk you off to Paris
World Series star Craig Biggio wins 2005 Hutch Award
Pete Gross House Luncheon raises $230,000 for cancer research
   

Gala's 30th = $7.6 million

Inspired by Robert M. Arnold's $3 million challenge, Hutch Holiday Gala patrons make 30th anniversary something special

Spirited bidding on auction items and a heartfelt multimillion-dollar challenge gift from retired banker Robert M. Arnold helped raise $7.6 million at the 30th anniversary Hutch Holiday Gala to benefit the Hutchinson Center.

Robert M. Arnold with his daughter, Grace Arnold, right, and friend, Geri Lucks, at the Hutch Holiday Gala.

During the Dec. 3 event, Arnold vowed to match every dollar donated during the "Help the Hutch" portion of the evening up to $3 million. The challenge gift, combined with personal stories from former Hutchinson Center patients, inspired Gala guests to give generously.

All proceeds from Help the Hutch benefit the Center's general fund, which sustains vital programs such as pilot-research projects, shared-research facilities, patient-family support and faculty recruitment. The Canary Fund, Safeway and Moneytree, Inc., were among the many generous donors who helped the event surpass all expectations.

"We are so fortunate to receive Bob's challenge gift to help us raise so much for leading-edge cancer research," said Dr. Lee Hartwell, president and director of the Hutchinson Center. "Bob's generosity is matched by his foresight: When he decided to give the Center its largest-ever private gift early in 2005, he set aside a portion to inspire others to give through the Gala."

Last February, Arnold gave the Center an unprecedented $15 million gift — the largest private donation in the Center's history. At that time, he earmarked a portion of those funds for the Gala in hopes that attendees would follow his example of giving.

"The success of the event speaks volumes about these guests' commitment to eliminate cancer as a cause of human suffering and death," said Bob, who has lost several family members to cancer. "Everyone at the Gala can be proud to have played a significant role in finding a cure."

Among other highlights, Steven and Fredda Goldfarb received the Grace Heffernan Arnold Guild's 2005 Distinguished Community Service Award. Carl, Rene'e and Sally Behnke were the event's honorary chairs.

Among the top-selling auction items were a golfing opportunity with Tiger Woods, which sold for $24,000; dinner with the Center's three Nobel laureates for $14,000; and a private-estate dinner party catered by noted French chef Thierry Rautureau for $30,000.

Hosted by the Grace Heffernan Arnold Guild, the Gala is the largest fund-raiser benefiting the Center, which has now raised more than $49 million since its beginnings as a dinner party in 1975. The guild is named for Bob's late mother, Grace, a tireless Seattle philanthropist who helped establish the biomedical-research institute that was the forerunner to the Hutchinson Center.

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   Moneytree's Gala gifts surpass $1 million

During the last six years, the continued success of Moneytree, Inc., has meant increased success for auction results at the Hutch holiday Gala. Since 1999, every time a live-auction item has sold for its retail value or higher, Moneytree has made a significant matching donation, an offer that has inspired Gala bidders to be even more generous. At the 2005 Gala last December, Moneytree's six-year gift total surpassed the $1 million mark! We extend our heartfelt thanks to Moneytree for its unwavering support of cancer research.

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Climb to Fight Breast Cancer: We need your help and stamina!

Every summer, outdoor enthusiasts join together in honor or memory of loved ones who have battled cancer to ascend some of the world's most breathtaking mountains. They take part in the annual Climb to Fight Breast Cancer®, and to date, they have raised $1.75 million for breast-cancer research at the Hutchinson Center.

If you've never climbed to the top of a mountain, the Climb to Fight Breast Cancer will introduce you to a world unlike any other. You'll touch the top of states, countries or continents while raising money and awareness toward finding a cure.

If tackling one of the world's premier peaks isn't on your agenda, you can still support a climber with your donation to the Hutchinson Center. Depending on the peak, each climber must raise a minimum of $2,500 to $10,000 to participate.

Led by trained guides, climbers will have the choice of scaling Mounts Rainier, Baker and Adams in Washington; Mount Hood in Oregon; Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa; and Mount Elbrus in Russia. Dates vary in June and July, depending on the climb.

The Hutchinson Center is at the forefront of breast-cancer research, and private gifts from the Climb are essential to our efforts. Every day, our researchers break new ground in the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Through the Climb to Fight Breast Cancer, you can help save lives. For more information, call (206) 667-1398 or visit www.fhcrc.org/about/climb/.

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A culinary adventure like no other: Premier Chefs Dinner

Five highly renowned Chefs will prepare an extraordinary culinary adventure to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Premier Chefs Dinner, which benefits cancer research.

Sponsored by Amgen, Turner Construction and Lease Crutcher Lewis, the dinner will be held Sunday, May 21, at the Grand Hyatt, Seattle.

The event's Chefs Advisory Board will donate their time and expertise to prepare the six-course extravaganza: Tom Black, of Seattle Yacht Club; Jonathan Hunt; Eric Lenard, of the University of Washington; Russell Lowell, of Lowell-Hunt Catering; and Brian Scheehser, of the Hunt Club at the Sorrento. Each course will be paired with exceptional Northwest wines provided and selected by The Tasting Room to make this a complete evening for any wine or culinary enthusiast.

A small, culinary-focused live auction and opportunities to win fabulous raffle prizes will add to the excitement. Tickets are $250; patron tickets are $300. For more information, call (206) 947-5523 or visit www.fhcrc.org/about/ne/events/chef/.

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20th Travel & Leisure Auction will whisk you off to Paris

An elegant "Evening in Paris" will mark the 20th anniversary of the Travel & Leisure Auction presented by the Margaret E. Martindale Guild. On Saturday, May 6, guests will enjoy a six-course French dinner, wine, dancing and live music at The Golf Club at Newcastle.

The evening will include an enticing auction of travel, leisure and collectible items. Tickets are $150. For more information, call (206) 667-4149 or visit www.fhcrc.org/about/ne/events/travel.xml.

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World Series star Craig Biggio wins 2005 Hutch Award

Annual baseball luncheon raises $300,000 for cancer research

Craig Biggio, the all-star second baseman who led the Houston Astros to the World Series last year, received the 2005 Hutch Award Feb. 1 at the annual Hutch Award Luncheon at Safeco Field. Johnny Bench, the Hall of Fame "Catcher of the Century," gave the keynote speech at the event, which raised more than $300,000 for The Gregory Fund for early cancer-detection research at the Hutchinson Center. More than 1,000 people attended.

"Craig Biggio is the consummate team player and a strong clubhouse leader within the Astros organization," said Bob Adamonis, chair of the Hutch Award Planning Committee. "Craig's fighting spirit is expressed through his versatility. He inspires his teammates by his willingness to do whatever it takes to win a game. On top of that, Craig is an active and compassionate player in the community." Biggio and his wife, Patty, are active in The Sunshine Kids, a support organization for children with cancer and their families.

The Hutch Award was established in 1965 to honor a major-league player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of legendary player and manager Fred Hutchinson. Hutchinson's brother Bill, a prominent oncologist, founded the Hutchinson Center after Fred died of cancer at age 45. Past Hutch Award winners include Jamie Moyer, Tim Salmon, Mickey Mantle, Willie Stargell, Carl Yastremski, Willie McCovey and Bench.

General Motors Corporation was the presenting sponsor of the Hutch Award Luncheon. Other sponsors include Costco Wholesale, Chris & Donna Ishii, Union Bank of California, KIRO Television, Sports Radio 950 KJR and American Airlines.

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Pete Gross House Luncheon raises $230,000 for cancer research

The Pete Gross House Luncheon raised $230,000 last September to support the Family Assistance Fund for visiting cancer patients and their families. The annual luncheon and sports memorabilia auction was held at Qwest Field. The luncheon's presenting sponsor was the Christopher Harper Trust. Supporting sponsors were Greenbaum Home Furnishings, Costco Wholesale, Newsradio 710 KIRO and American Airlines.

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