That starting point requires flexible funding, particularly unrestricted support, which gives researchers the time and resources they need to chase big, bold, unproven ideas — ideas that can lead to the greatest leaps but carry a higher risk of failure or disappointment.
Fred Hutch’s philanthropic support comes from individuals and foundations drawn to the mission for many reasons. Often, it’s because they have been affected by cancer, HIV or a related disease. Or they may want to be part of something bigger — to play a part in addressing one of humanity’s toughest challenges.
Tens of thousands of people give to the organization throughout the year online, at events, through peer-to-peer fundraising activities such as Obliteride and Climb to Fight Cancer, through wills or trusts, in memory of loved ones and in many other ways. Ninety-five percent of those donations are less than $1,000 and, when combined, add up to millions of dollars of funding. Unrestricted support allows this funding to go to areas of greatest need, while targeted gifts are directed to particular researchers or disease areas. And unlike government or foundation grants that require an application and approval process, unrestricted funds can be put to work immediately.
The high-risk, high-reward research that these funds make possible can push the boundaries of human knowledge. And that new knowledge is developed into cures and therapies through additional government grants or industry partnerships.
“It’s actually the risky projects which have the bigger chance of completely changing paradigms,” said Fred Hutch evolutionary biologist Dr. Harmit Malik. “There are multiple labs at the Hutch where they’re changing textbook definitions about what we know about biology, and that’s bound to have a profound impact on how we understand life and how we practice medicine.”
