Obliteride Dollars Matter
Critical Obliteride fundraising helps Fred Hutch researchers ask big questions and advance the groundbreaking science it takes to accelerate discovery and change the world. We don’t know which dollar will fuel the next breakthrough — so every dollar matters.
Since 2013, Obliteride funding has helped advance bold research and new findings, including:
- Urgently needed new immunotherapies for more cancers.
- Breakthroughs in data science that help improve prevention, detection, and treatment.
- Powerful insights into diet, genetics, environmental factors and cancer risk, that give people more information and prevention tools.
- Precision approaches that match individual treatments to each patient and cancer to improve outcomes.
In 2025, Obliteriders supported:
28
Disease areas
92
Faculty and clinicians
28
Programs and specialties
Researcher and Program Highlights
Fred Hutch researchers and programs are advancing science and changing lives in Seattle and around the world. Here are three examples.
Researcher: Elizabeth Swisher, MD
Professor, physician, and researcher; Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Torkelson Family Endowed Chair, Fred Hutch
With support from Obliteride and other donors, Dr. Swisher is discovering the genetic risk factors of gynecologic cancers; using precision oncology approaches to provide unique treatments for each patient and cancer; and saving lives. For example, she and her colleagues identified the connection between hereditary ovarian cancer and gene mutations beyond BRCA1&2, unlocking critical screening for people at high risk. “I love the fact that I can do research that improves our understanding of the diseases I treat and then translate those discoveries into benefits for patients on a day-to-day basis,” says Dr. Swisher.
Programs: Education and Training
Our future relies on young scientists. With support from Obliteride, Fred Hutch is preparing new generations.
Obliteride funding helps Fred Hutch strengthen the pipeline that makes future discovery possible by training and mentoring rising scientists. Right now, more than 400 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are supporting discoveries in our labs. Each year, we invite more than 200 high school and college students to participate in research through our education programs. And our Science Education Partnership has paired more than 600 teachers with scientists and reached tens of thousands of students across Washington state and more nationwide.
Researcher: Folashade Otegbeye, MBChB, MPH
Associate Professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Facility Director, Therapeutic Products Program, Fred Hutch
Fleischauer Family Endowed Chair in Cell and Gene Therapy Translation
Once treatments are developed, it takes special expertise to ensure they reach patients. With support from Obliteride and other donors, Dr. Otegbeye makes it happen. As director of our Therapeutic Products shared resource, she helps colleagues translate immunotherapy innovations into clinical products, such as genetically modified blood cells for immunotherapy. As a researcher, she studies transplant and immune cell therapy to improve patient care. “We have a lot of ongoing, frequent interactions with patients and their family members or caregivers,” said Dr. Otegbeye. “I’ve always been inspired, and touched, by those relationships."
I’ve seen first-hand the lifesaving therapies that have been developed right here at Fred Hutch, some that were once unimaginable. This progress is fueled by the support of people like you and me.
Sandi Navarro, PhD; Fred Hutch Senior Staff Scientist; Team Captain of 'Team Orange'
About Fred Hutch
Fred Hutch Cancer Center unites individualized care and advanced research to provide the latest cancer treatment options while accelerating discoveries that prevent, treat, and cure cancer and infectious diseases worldwide.
Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is an independent, nonprofit organization and the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington. We have earned a global reputation for our track record of innovation in cancer, infectious disease and basic research, including important advances in bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapy, HIV/AIDS prevention, and COVID-19 vaccines. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy, and related services. Fred Hutch also serves as UW Medicine’s cancer program. Learn more about Fred Hutch.
As we mark our 50th Anniversary in 2025, Fred Hutch is looking beyond what’s possible today to a new era of discovery. With your partnership, our Campaign for Fred Hutch will transform the pace and scale of innovation so we can redefine cancer and infectious disease for generations to come.
Fred Hutch Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization that also serves as the cancer program for UW Medicine. Our relationship allows for enhanced care coordination between a top-ranked cancer center and a leading integrated health system and accelerates the latest scientific breakthroughs in cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Fred Hutch is proud to raise funds that fuel the adult oncology program on behalf of both Fred Hutch and UW Medicine.