Mountain climbers: We want you to help fight breast cancer

Some mountain climbers live by the motto: “By endurance, we conquer.”

The same can be said of cancer researchers, who, step by scientific step, make progress in their efforts against cancer.

In Fred Hutchinson’s Climb to Fight Breast Cancer, the communities of outdoor adventure and scientific endeavor come together. The annual climb, now in its seventh year, raises awareness and funds for breast-cancer research. So far, it has raised $850,000.

Fred Hutchinson is currently recruiting climbers to join the 2004 efforts next summer. Each climber must raise between $2,500-10,000 in donations to participate, depending on the peak.

Six climbs are scheduled between June and August: Mount Hood, June 12-13; Mount Baker, June 25-27; Mount Rainier, July 4-7; Glacier Peak, July 10-13; Mount Adams, July 23-25; and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Aug. 7-22. All climbs are led by professional guide services. Climbers do not need major mountaineering experience, but will require excellent strength conditioning and endurance. For information, contact us at (206) 667-1398 or cfbc@fhcrc.org. Or visit the Web site at www.fhcrc.org/climb.

Holiday cards, calendar, books, bricks all support Fred Hutchinson research

Looking for a holiday gift that carries extra meaning? Several gift items are available that support the cancer research work of Fred Hutchinson. Here is a sampling of the items available during the holidays and throughout the year.

“What Cancer Cannot Do” 2004 Calendar
$10 from The Moyer Foundation, available at QFC stores

Holiday Donations in Lieu of Gifts
Available all year, (206) 667-5242

Mariner Moose Coloring and Activity Book
$5 from the Seattle Mariners, at Mariners Team Stores

Sound Bites Cookbook
$15.95 from the Brosio Hamasaki Stein Guild, (206) 667-6252

Engraved Bricks and Slates in Mundie Courtyard
Starting at $100, available all year, (206) 677-5242

Hutch Award Luncheon Committee members knock it out of the park for cancer research

It should come as no surprise that members of the Hutch Award Luncheon Committee are passionate about Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the baseball legacy that comes along with the Fred Hutchinson name.

Since 1965, the annual Hutch Award has honored a major league baseball player who exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of Fred Hutchinson on and off the field. Fred was a star player, manager and local hero who died of cancer in 1964. In 1999, a luncheon was established to honor the award recipient and raise research funds. The energetic committee members have been the forces behind the annual luncheon ever since.

The event has raised more than $740,000 for the center in just four years. The 2004 luncheon will be held Jan. 26 at Safeco Field.

With such illustrious names as Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Willie Stargell, Lou Brock, Joe Torre and Jason Giambi on the list of Hutch Award winners, it’s easy to understand the excitement the award generates among baseball fans. The committee members are no exceptions.

“We have a terrific time organizing the Hutch Award Luncheon,” said Dave Mann, event co-chair. “Baseball stars draw a huge number of people for the luncheon, who then hear the cancer-research message and become donors to the center. Through the luncheon, Fred Hutchinson’s baseball legacy lives on.”

This year’s committee members are: Honorary Chair Chuck Armstrong, co-chairs Jody Lentz and Mann, Bob Adamonis, Earl Averill Jr., Roger Buckingham, Kristen Bushnell, Steve Charlston, Bill Christoffersen, Dave Eskenazi, Nancy Greenwood Vehrs, Sue Hansen, Scott Hutchinson, Ken Johnson, Myles Kahn, Rob Lane, Karen Moyer, John Patience, Ben Pecora, Jim Peoples, Charlotte Reed, Rick Rizzs and Bonnie Towne.

For more information about the Hutch Award Luncheon and the committee, contact Eileen Sullivan at (206) 667-4149 or esulliva@fhcrc.org.

Baseball star Dusty Baker highlights 2004 Hutch Award Luncheon Jan. 26

Come celebrate the magic of America’s favorite pastime and the baseball legacy of Fred Hutchinson at the 2004 Hutch Award Luncheon on Jan. 26 at Safeco Field. Baseball luminaries — including Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker — and the star player who will receive the award will be on hand to sign autographs and share in the festivities. The program begins at noon.

Baker, a prostate-cancer survivor, will deliver the keynote speech. His accomplishments as a manager and player are legendary, including three manager-of-the-year awards with the San Francisco Giants and a 1981 World Series ring as an outfielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This season, he led the Chicago Cubs to the National League Championship Series.

Luncheon tickets are a suggested minimum donation of $150. All proceeds benefit early cancer detection research at the center. For more information, contact Eileen Sullivan at (206) 667-4149 or esulliva@fhcrc.org.

Pete Gross House Luncheon raises $110,000 to support patient housing

More than 450 gathered at the annual Pete Gross House Luncheon this fall to applaud one of their own: former Seahawk and University of Washington Husky star Warren Moon.

Moon provided the keynote speech at the event, which raised more than $110,000 to support the apartment complex that houses out-of-town cancer patients. The house is named after the late Seahawk broadcaster Pete Gross, who died of cancer in 1992.

Special thanks go to event sponsors the Seattle Seahawks, Newsradio 710 KIRO, Turner Construction and Greenbaum Home Furnishings for their generous contributions.Team Shootout raises more than $70,000 The first Fred Hutchinson Team Shootout drew 38 for competitive golf at Sahalee Country Club Oct. 2. The event raised $70,850 for prostate-cancer research.

Don meets Don

When Don Thomas of Seattle, left, became executor of his brother Jerome’s estate, he had the pleasure of presenting $917,000 to Fred Hutchinson and of meeting the center’s first Nobel laureate — Dr. Don Thomas.