Personal Progress:
- Goal:
- $150,000.00
- Achieved:
- $94,922.77
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer that is three times more likely to spread throughout the body than melanoma. Approximately 40% of patients will experience a return of MCC after the initial tumor has been removed.
At UW Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, a globally recognized team led by Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, is improving the odds for these patients. Dr. Nghiem and his colleagues have:
- Led clinical trials that have increased the chance of lasting benefit from 5% (with chemotherapy) to 50% (with immune therapy) for patients with metastatic MCC. These studies led to the only two FDA approvals of a drug for this cancer. These treatments have transformed care for thousands of MCC patients.
- Showed that testing for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood is an effective way to detect early recurrence in 91% of patients. Past antibody tests were only effective for those whose cancer is caused by a virus, which excluded many patients. This study will help inform future treatment guidelines.
- Identified new combination treatments that have the potential to further improve survival in Merkel cell carcinoma, with additional clinical trials to start in the next one to two years.
Learn more about Merkel cell carcinoma and other skin cancer research at Fred Hutch.
Why Philanthropy:
- Donor dollars can help Dr. Nghiem’s MCC team accelerate advances and increase their capacity to explore promising new ideas.
- Your investment gives our scientists the agility to maintain momentum in their research, which can sometimes be constrained by other funding sources.
- Your dollars can educate the next generation of Merkel cell carcinoma researchers, including Nghiem Lab clinical research fellows, who are supported entirely through philanthropy.
- We invite you to read the Merkel Cell Carcinoma 2024 Holiday Letter on behalf of Dr. Nghiem
We’re driven by the urgency of our patients, the hope of our community, and our passion for discovery to pursue scientific breakthroughs and healthier lives for every person in every community. Your support is critical to fueling that pursuit.
Please donate today. Thank you!
If you would like to mail in your donation, please write “Dr. Nghiem MCC research” in the memo line and mail to: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, MS J5-200, Seattle, WA 98109.
After you make the donation online, if you would like to make a donation in honor or memory of someone, reach out to Fred Hutch Philanthropy at annualgiving@fredhutch.org or at 206.667.4399. Please include the name and mailing address of the honoree or next of kin in your message.
