Hannah's Hopeful Hearts - Join Us April 10th!

Please join us!

Mark your calendar,

and go to

http://hannahshopefulhearts.brownpapertickets.com

to reserve your tickets! Space is limited; don't miss this special event!

Gregg and I are delighted to invite you to join us at Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts on Friday, April 10^th, 2015, 7:00 pm at Grace Church on Bainbridge Island.  This event is in memory of Hannah Hunt and our daughter Katie, two vibrant, beloved girls who passed away from pediatric cancer.

The first Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts event in March, 2010 was an enormous success, raising funds for brain tumor research which were critical in the development of Dr. Jim Olson’s Tumor Paint, which is now in clinical trials.  Tumor Paint aids in surgery by illuminating only cancerous cells, improving outcomes by leaving healthy brain cells untouched. Further innovative research is being pursued by Jim and his colleagues at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center under the name of Project Violet. They are creating a new class of nature-derived compounds that treat cancer (and other diseases) while leaving healthy cells untouched.

The Katie Gerstenberger Endowment for Cancer Research supports the Jensen Lab at the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research (BTCCCR). The Jensen Lab is named for Dr. Michael Jensen, a Bainbridge Island resident and the director of the BTCCCR at Seattle Children's Research Institute. Under Mike’s leadership, the BTCCR has achieved great success with its T-Cell (immunotherapy) research, targeting the most common childhood cancers - leukemia, neuroblastoma, brain tumors and sarcomas.  Currently, 11 children (and counting) who have been treated through the BTCCR’s clinical trials are in remission! A new clinical trial treating relapsed neuroblastoma has been launched, and there is hopeful progress for curing brain tumors with T-Cell therapy, as well. 

At the Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts event on April 10th, you will hear presentations by, and a moderated discussion with, Dr. Olson and Dr. Jensen – two leading lights in cancer research who have never before shared a stage.  Hannah’s mother, Reba Ferguson, and I will speak briefly on behalf of families supporting Jim’s and Mike’s work. Wine and beer, light hors d’oeuvres and a simple dessert buffet will be provided; the evening will conclude with a lively concert by the band St. Paul de Vence.  This band is featured on The Violet Sessions CD, a creative project which supports the Olson Lab. If you’d like to hear a sample of their music, go to http://stpaulband.com/#/music/ .

Please reserve your spot now at http://hannahshopefulhearts.brownpapertickets.com,

and join us and the Hunt-Ferguson family for an inspirational evening, furthering the work of these two brilliant doctors in their mutual goal of finding less toxic, more effective treatments for pediatric cancer. If you are unable to join us on April 10^th, you may make a donation via the same link (perhaps your employer will match your gift).

With hope and gratitude,

Karen and Gregg Gerstenberger

 Special thanks to our Title Sponsor, Windermere Real Estate of Bainbridge Island, WA

Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts 2015 benefits: