Support Cancer Cancer Research and Education

Since our founding in 1988, the University of Colorado Cancer Center has been at the leading edge of cancer research, scientific discoveries and new drug development. As the Rocky Mountain region's NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center , it is our mission not only to treat patients, but to also:

• Use basic scientific methods to understand the mechanics of cancer development, growth and tumor death
• Translate basic scientific knowledge into clinical applications, such as new screening tests, treatments and therapies
• Test new screening methods, tests, drugs and other therapies through a robust cancer clinical trials program
• Investigate how to stop cancer from developing through prevention and control methods and other population-based research
• Train the next generation of cancer scientists and clinicians
• Provide an environment for scientists and clinicians to continue growing and learning

We often hear the term "cure for cancer," but the truth is there are so many ways that cells can grow out of control, and so many ways such uncontrolled growth can manifest, that there will likely not be a single cure for all cancers. For this reason, it is imperative that as many people as possible have as much funding as possible to understand how genes, proteins, cells, metabolic factors and other biological and chemical elements work in cancer.

Why Invest in UCCC?

Why should you invest in cancer research and education at the University of Colorado Cancer Center? Isn't UCCC funded by the federal government? What about funding from all of those cancer walks?

Gifts that support cancer research in Colorado will help find cures for cancer across the country and around the world, as well as in your neighborhood or own home.

Shrinking Federal Funding

The truth of the matter is that cancer research is extraordinarily expensive. Federal funding has been flat and is beginning to decline. In fact, our funding for peer-reviewed research grew just 0.5% in 2007 . That means important projects that may have been funded five years ago are not being funded today, which leads to erosion of the research community. But all is not lost, because we firmly believe that we will be able to garner support from individuals, family foundations, corporations and other organizations to make sure that the work being done here not only continues, but flourishes.

Breakthroughs Right Here in Colorado

Often, famous centers like Fred Hutchison and Johns Hopkins and MD Anderson Cancer Center are seen as the places to invest. But did you know that the Univesity of Colorado Cancer Center conducts the same national clinical trials as those offered at other NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers? UCCC's scientists and clinicians are responsible for many cancer breakthroughs.

National and World Experts: UCCC's roster is a veritable who's who of cancer research and clinical care leaders.

• We are known for lung cancer and melanoma care and research, as well as our prevention, control and survivorship programs and research. 
• Our faculty includes people who sit as executive directors or board members for the American Cancer Society, Southwest Oncology Group, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.
• We boast a Nobel Laureate (Tom Cech) and many other national honorees.

Spirit of Collaboration: We don't believe we can solve the cancer puzzle alone. UCCC is one of a handful of consortium centers in the United States. Our members work in 14 institutions organizations, and they all work with other scientists and clinicians across the country and around the world.

World-Class Facility: The Anschutz Medical Campus, bordered by the Colorado Bioscience Park Aurora, is the largest biomedical campus in the West. Home to the University of Colorado Denver, University of Colorado Hospital and The Children's Hospital, the Anschutz Medical Campus promises to become the center of US biomedical research. Our vibrant, exciting campus is an incubator for the next big breakthrough in cancer.

Phase I Program: UCCC has the only Phase I Developmental Research Program in the region, and is one of just 16 in the United States. Phase I clinical research is the first step to bringing promising drugs and therapies from the bench to the bedside.

Where the Money Goes

In 2007, we gratefully received almost $10 million in donations from individuals, private and community foundations, private grants and our fundraising partners CancerCure, the Cancer League of Colorado and the American Cancer Society. Cancer research has a specific ingredient list, and donations help us ensure our researchers have everything they need to conduct their critical experiments.

Recruitment & Retention

UCCC grows stronger when we are able to bring top talent to our campus. Without private money, we would not have been able to provide the funding necessary to recruit top people and grow our programs. What's more, competition for the best cancer researchers and clinicians is strong. We rely on private funding to help us hold on to the excellent talent we have.

Space

We are privileged to work on a new, state-of-the-art medical research campus. Because of generous donations, we have labs, offices and other space dedicated to cancer research. However, we are constantly growing and more space is always needed.

Equipment

Research equipment can range from thousands to millions of dollars. Our Shared Core Services bring technology to all UCCC members, allowing individual researchers access to instruments that they could not buy for their own labs.

Endowment

Research institutions are only as strong as the investment portfolio that backs them. Endowment gifts allow us to invest for the future while using part of any investment income for current needs.

Seed Funding

When a researcher has a new idea, he needs startup money to begin investigating it. Unfortunately, it's difficult to get government grants until data and results exist. Thanks to generous donations and a partnership with the American Cancer Society, we are able to help more than a dozen researchers each year get started on projects that can lead to next year's cancer breakthroughs.

We can help you understand our areas of greatest need .