Double threats to breast cancer
Premier chefs please palates in the name of science
Shore Run/Walk celebrates its 30th
Team Shootout

Double threats to breast cancer

BY CHRISTI BALL LOSO

Heather Ann Brauer and Katie Fraser devote their careers to breast-cancer research. This summer, they'll also raise research dollars by joining the Climb to Fight Breast Cancer Presented by Safeway.

Katie Fraser, left, and Heather Ann Brauer

A PAIR OF MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS in this summer's Climb to Fight Breast Cancer Presented by Safeway represent double threats against the disease: They both work in breast-cancer research at the Hutchinson Center.

Heather Ann Brauer, who plans to climb Mount Rainier, explores cutting-edge early cancer-detection research in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Lampe. Heather Ann, who is writing her thesis for a doctorate at the University of Washington, looks for biomarkers, molecules in the blood that may reveal breast cancer at its very earliest stages, when it is most curable.

"Finding these biomarkers could dramatically decrease the mortality rate of breast cancer and improve the quality of life for breast-cancer patients and their families," Heather Ann said.

Rigorous in her athletic pursuits as well as in the lab, Heather Ann is an experienced rock climber and backpacker. In addition, she plays ultimate Frisbee and coaches youngsters in the sport.

She will climb in honor of her mother and her mother's best friend, both of whom are breast-cancer survivors.

Climber Katie Fraser, who also plans to scale Mount Rainier, is a program assistant with a prevention study called NEW (Nutrition and Exercise for Women) to identify lifestyle behaviors that decrease the risk of breast cancer. The study involves overweight and sedentary but otherwise healthy postmenopausal women. The women receive free nutrition or exercise classes or both. Katie, who is studying sports medicine, said she enjoys recruiting volunteers and seeing them adopt changes to improve their health.

She will be climbing in honor of her grandmother, who died of breast cancer before Katie had the opportunity to meet her.

This summer's climb events include peaks in Washington, Oregon, Tanzania and Russia. Each climb is professionally guided, and each participant has a minimum fund-raising requirement. The event has raised more than $2.7 million for breast-cancer research since 1998.

To support a climber or to ascend the world's most breathtaking mountains while raising funds for breast-cancer research, visit www.fhcrc.org/climb, e-mail cfbc@fhcrc.org or call (206) 667-1398.

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Premier chefs please palates in the name of science

Left to right: Chefs Russell Lowell, Russell Dean Lowell Premier Catering; Don Curtiss, Volterra; Keiko Okuda, Palisade; Patrick Rolfe, Palisade; Brent Martin, Grand Hyatt Seattle; Scott Staples, Restaurant Zoë; Amanda Zimlich, Madison Park Café; Mark Crowder, Grand Hyatt Seattle; Shannon Galusha, Veil; Dana Cree, The Rainier Club; Eric Lenard, Envision Strategies

A PRESTIGIOUS LINEUP OF EIGHT CHEFS lent their time and resources to prepare a six-course culinary adventure for guests of the 16th annual Premier Chefs Dinner, May 20 at the Grand Hyatt Seattle.

A generous challenge of $100,000 from the Geiger Family Foundation inspired guests to support the Center's leading-edge science. Issued in person by Elizabeth Geiger, the challenge boosted event proceeds to $372,000, which will go to the general fund, sustaining vital programs such as faculty recruitment, pilot-research projects, shared-research facilities and patient-family support.

A live auction featured unique food and wine adventures, including a Cave B Estate Winery crush party for 20 people with lodging, a picnic lunch in the vineyards, a multi-course winemaker dinner and the ancient fall ritual of crushing grapes. In addition, guests bid high for the evening's signature auction item, Russell Dean Lowell Premier Catering's Elk Camp Feast of wild game and fine wines.

Preparing the exquisite meal were chefs Gabriel Claycamp, Culinary Communion; Dana Cree, The Rainier Club; Don Curtiss, Volterra; Shannon Galusha, Veil; Patrick Rolfe, Palisade; Brent Martin, Grand Hyatt Seattle; Scott Staples, Restaurant Zoë; and Amanda Zimlich, Madison Park Café. Featured wineries were Cedergreen Cellars, Chateau Ste. Michelle, DiStefano Winery, Sheridan Vineyards and Wineglass Cellars.

The dinner is presented annually by the Magnolia Guild and the Chefs Advisory Board, which consists of Claycamp; Russell Lowell, Russell Dean Lowell Premier Catering; and Eric Lenard, Envision Strategies.

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Shore Run/Walk celebrates its 30th

The annual Shore Run/Walk will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Sunday, June 24. This Seattle tradition offers a course that hugs the shores of Lake Washington and offers events for all ability levels.

The all-ages Zillow.com 5K Run and The Old Spaghetti Factory 5K Walk start at 8:15 a.m. at Leschi Park. The Continental Airlines 6.7-mile run starts at 9 a.m. at Seward Park. The Foss Maritime 1K kids' run is at Madison Park at 10:15 a.m. Registration fees range from $5-$30.

Since 1975, the Shore Run/Walk has raised nearly $2.3 million for the Center. For more information, visit www.fhcrc.org/shorerun, e-mail shorerun@hotmail.com or call (206) 667-6559.

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Team Shootout

Competitive golf tournament supports prostate-cancer research

The Fred Hutchinson Team Shootout Presented by Turner Construction is a competitive, non-scramble golf tournament for players who share a love of golf and desire to support prostate-cancer research at the Center. The fun begins with a noon shotgun start on Monday, Aug. 13, at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash. Participation starts at $1,500 per person or $6,000 per foursome.

For more information, visit www.fhcrc.org/teamshootout, e-mail rkaber@fhcrc.org or call (206) 947-5523.

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