Hutch Gala raises $8.8 million for cancer cure

Sue Hansen held the winning ticket in the grand finale raffle drawing at the Hutch Holiday Gala this past Saturday in Seattle. The lucky raffle ticket won her a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do a "Diamond Dash" at Alvin Goldfarb Jewelers.

Hansen had 30 seconds to quickly browse the jewelry store for a single item of her choice. After strapping on a new pair of Nike Flex running shoes, Hansen darted for a pair of diamond-and-peridot drop earrings.

The “Diamond Dash” raffle ticket sales raised $30,600 at the Hutch Holiday Gala, an annual fundraiser benefiting the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. This year's fundraiser, organized by the Bellevue-based Grace Hefferman Arnold Guild, brought in a total $8.8 million in donations. The money raised at the Hutch Holiday Gala will be directed toward the Hutchinson Center’s work to harness the human immune system to battle cancer.

A request made to advance the promising field of immunotherapy research by the Bezos family, who gave a generous pledge donation of $10 million to the Hutchinson Center back in November, challenged the Gala attendees to join in a three-year period of giving which kicked off at the Gala and will run through Dec. 31, 2012.

The generosity of the Bezos family inspired guests to raise their bid cards during the "Help the Hutch" portion of the evening.

“Help the Hutch” brought in $7.95 million of the total donations raised at the black-tie Gala.

Through the years, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has led the development of immunotherapy, through bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, to help patients win the battle against leukemia and other blood cancers. These advancements greatly enhanced researchers’ understanding of the body’s ability to use antibodies, T cells and other immune-system components to fight disease.

“We are fortunate that our guests know the power of private support in the fight against cancer,” said Dr. Cassian Yee, M.D. “Proceeds from tonight’s Gala challenge and auction will help us advance all we’ve done in the lab – moving it into the clinic to help patients.”

Gala patrons also bid on exclusive auction packages including a trip to the Big Apple for the Tony Awards, $11,000; a trip to French Polynesia to view a total solar eclipse, $14,000; and an exclusive private tasting and dinner for 12 at Long Shadows and Corliss wineries in Walla Walla, $22,000.

Through the years, the Gala has raised more than $62 million in support of key research initiatives and patient programs at the Hutchinson Center.

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Contact Bellevue Reporter Staff Writer Lindsay Larin at llarin@bellevuereporter.com or 425-453-4602.

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