Myeloma Facility Spotlight: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Multiple myeloma patients have received great care from Fred Hutch Cancer Center for decades.

Oncology researchers and physicians there have done their part to significantly improve cancer care in recent decades, including the incredible progress made in the field of autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants. 

Dr. Fred Applebaum's "Living Medicine" book highlights the amazing work of Dr. Don Thomas and his partnership with the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in making in the renowned cancer facility it is today. 

The History of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center 

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Caner was dedicated on September 5, 1975. 

William Hutchinson was a private-practice surgeon who wanted to conduct simple lab experiments but couldn't find a place to do so. Contacting other physicians he knew had similar interests, they raised enough local donations to form the Pacific Northwest Research Foundation.

The goal of this foundation was to provide laboratory space and basic facilities to any member of the community whose project was approved by their medical board (which was chaired by Dr. Hutchisnson) and who could pay for the work. 

While the 1950s and early 1960s saw a variety of scientists using the labs, the facility's focus soon changed to cancer care research in 1964. Dr. William Huctchinson's younger brother Fred had just died of cancer. 

Fred was an excellent athlete, winning city championships and making it to the minor leagues. The World War Two draft put a hold on Fred's track to a major league career, but he returned from his time in the Navy to play for the Detroit Tigers. He had a great pitching record there. 

He was an amazing leader, honest and straightforward but tough. 

In December of 1963, Fred noticed a lump in his neck. Dr. William (Bill) Hutchinson performed a biopsy, which revealed it to be a malignant thymoma. The disease was already incurable and spreading throughout his entire body. Though Fred made it through much of the next year undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, he lost the fight in December. 

How Fred Hutch Became the Cancer Center That It Is Today 

In 1965, the Pacific Northwest Research Foundation was repurposed as the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Swedish Hospital in Seattle donated a site, and a planning grant was given from the National Cancer Institute (though this was later put on hold). Local funding allowed the Hutchinsons to continue building this important space. 

After some years of political navigation, The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was declared a freestanding, independent institute that would have an affiliation agreement with the University of Washington. Teaching and training were emphasized as central to the center's mission. 

Dr. William Hutchinson was named the first president and director of the center, and the National Cancer Institute officially recognized the facility as one of the new NCI-designated comprehensive cancer research centers in 1972. 

The future of the successful stem cell transplant in many cancers (and even autoimmune diseases) would be discovered within its walls. 

Ground-breaking work in developing vaccines to prevent HIV and COVID-19 would also occur within its laboratories. 

Three physicians completing their work at Fred Hutch have won Nobel Prizes: 

• Dr. Don Thomas for his work in stem cell transplants
• Dr. Leeland "Lee" Hartwell for his work in learning what genes caused cells to divide 
• Dr. Linda Buck for her work on odorant receptors and the organization of the olfactory system — the network responsible for our sense of smell

Learn Personally From Fred Hutch Multiple Myeloma Physicians 

You can learn from multiple myeloma specialists at this center of excellence on October 14th. Meet us in Seattle to learn more from researchers and doctors:

• Andrew Cowan, MD
• Rahul Banerjee, MD, FACP
• Rebecca Silbermann, MD, MMS
• Kara Cicero, MD

You can sign up to join us in person or register for the recording of the session by using the button below: 

Register for the Seattle Round Table  

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the amazing work of physicians at such a renowned facility.