Raisbeck Foundation donates $1.5 million for lymphoma research

April 9, 2004 - Seattle, Washington USA

Usually it's the recipients of generous gifts who say they feel "fortunate" and "blessed." In James and Sherry Raisbeck's case, it's the givers

Despite experiencing the heartbreak of cancer among their loved ones, the Raisbecks are joyous about the impact they are having on cancer research.

By donating $1.5 million to Fred Hutchinson, the Raisbecks sent waves through the philanthropic and research communities. Their gift—a challenge grant announced at the 2000 Hutch Holiday Gala—attracted an equal sum in matching money from other like-minded donors. The donations, in turn, supported cutting-edge lymphoma research at the center.

"You get to the point in life where you wonder what you're leaving behind and what contribution you've made," said James, CEO and chairman of Raisbeck Engineering Inc. "Sherry and I are fortunate enough to have reached the giving stage of our lives relatively early."

"We feel blessed to be in a position to be able to give a gift like that to a place like Fred Hutchinson," said Sherry, an artist and former special-education teacher.

James, an aeronautical engineer, founded Raisbeck Engineering in 1973. Since that time, the company and its subsidiary, Raisbeck Commercial Air Group Inc., have introduced numerous innovations to aircraft design.

With the success of their companies, the Raisbecks have been able to support many worthy causes, but none more personal than the cancer-fighting mission of Fred Hutchinson. In 1996, three weeks after the Raisbecks became acquainted with the center and made their first donation, the couple's son-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia. Fortunately, a bone-marrow transplant at Fred Hutchinson saved his life.

Then another tragedy struck. A close family friend, Dr. Penny Petersen, developed lymphoma. When she died, the Raisbecks were devastated but determined to honor her and fight the disease that took her. Thanks to their $1.5 million gift, Fred Hutchinson established the Dr. Penny E. Petersen Memorial Chair for Dr. Oliver Press.

With the Raisbeck's financial support, Press recently made a key breakthrough in treatment for an incurable form of lymphoma. In promising preliminary tests, the new therapy induced remission in 98 percent of follicular-lymphoma patients.

Such advances are particularly satisfying to the Raisbecks. "The work Dr. Press and his staff are doing brings hope to people," James said. "We feel as if we've made a measurable contribution to that."