'My choice by a wide margin'

California businessman and leukemia patient Norm Metcalfe used his 'knowledge is king' strategy to find the best place to get treatment. Now he supports the institution that has helped treat his cancer.

BY ANDREA DETTER

Norm Metcalfe

NORM METCALFE'S voice becomes more animated and picks up a little speed when he talks about the doctors and researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. For someone whose decisions are ruled by logic rather than emotion, Norm is openly enthusiastic about the Hutchinson Center. A successful executive in real estate development, investment and corporate finance, Norm has always tackled tough decisions by gathering the facts and using them to make the right choice. When he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia seven years ago, he found that his approach to business also worked for him in dealing with his illness.

He read up on leukemia and, at the urging of his oncologist in California, began to research bone-marrow transplantation. Norm learned that bone-marrow transplants, the only demonstrated cure for the disease, were pioneered by the Center's Dr. E. Donnall Thomas, who earned the 1990 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for the accomplishment.

Choosing a leader

Guided by his friend Dr. Paul Ramsey, dean of the University of Washington School of Medicine, Norm turned to Dr. Fred Appelbaum, a leading leukemia researcher and physician who heads the Center's Clinical Research Division and directs the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. After interviewing two other top institutions in the field, Norm said, "The Hutchinson Center was my choice by a wide margin."

He recalled telling Appelbaum, "I wish I could write a check and cure myself." Sticking to his "knowledge is king" strategy, Norm decided to learn more about the Center and ways he could help. In addition to the "wonderful worldwide reputation and the fabulous work being done in leukemia and many other fields," Norm said he was impressed that many of the Center's researchers, including Appelbaum, spend a significant amount of time caring for patients, which enhances their understanding of the diseases they work to eliminate. He also learned that although the Center has a great record of obtaining peer-reviewed grants from sources like the National Institutes of Health, private donations are vital to research efforts.

Prompted by his successful treatment, Norm has donated more than $500,000 to leukemia research at the Center. His support has led to significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, which will ultimately benefit thousands of other patients.

As for his cancer, Norm said he has been fortunate. He has not needed a bone-marrow transplant. Instead he has responded well to treatment with interferon, a protein produced by the immune system to fight invaders like viruses and, in this case, leukemia. He has been in remission for the last few years.

Living a full life

Norm continues to enjoy the challenges of his distinguished, 40-year career in business, and he hasn't let leukemia interfere with his busy schedule. In addition to running his own investment and real estate business, he is currently on the board of directors of three major homebuilding and real estate development companies. Norm admits that when he was diagnosed, he knew his leukemia was a serious problem. But for the past few years, he has not worried about it. "To me, now it's just a part of living."

To read related story, see Power of Private Support.

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