AMC Cancer Fund (aka AMC Cancer Research Center)

Dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the University of Colorado Cancer Center to support its outstanding programs in cancer prevention, care, education, research and service to the nation.

Why do we exist?

In the dry air of Denver in 1904, the Jewish Consumptive Relief Society (JCRS) Sanatorium rose from the fields of a local dairy farm. Offering free care to patients suffering from tuberculosis, the staff and doctors committed themselves to controlling, if not conquering, the disease. By the 1950s, they reached their goal, and the JCRS redirected its focus to combating cancer, becoming the AMC Cancer Research Center. Over the years, our reputation grew as we became the first institution in the nation to devote its scientific resources exclusively to the prevention and control of cancer.

Exciting changes appeared on the horizon in 2005, when AMC Cancer Research Center officially affiliated with the University of Colorado Cancer Center (UCCC), the Rocky Mountain region’s National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. As we continue our mission under the name of AMC Cancer Fund, we provide direct fundraising support for the innovative and important research taking place at UCCC, playing a pivotal role in conquering cancer.

What have you accomplished?

AMC Cancer Research Center (AMC Cancer Fund) aims to “create hope through science” by raising funds through engaging corporations, civic organizations and individuals in special events, education and outreach efforts. As an independent entity, we are committed to raising funds and awareness for the innovative cancer research, treatment, prevention and control programs conducted at UCCC.  Funds provide support to research and treatment such as:

• Dr. Ross Camidge recently announced that a new oral drug called an “ALK inhibitor” is bringing one form of non-small cell lung cancer to a standstill.  This type of cancer kills 20,000 Americans every year.  The significant results of the research raises the prospect that similar drugs for other forms of lung cancer may also be found.

• Dr. Pepper Schedin recently received two grants totaling $750,000 to continue her work on pregnancy-related breast cancer. As a young scientist, Dr. Schedin’s research was supported by AMC and she is quickly growing an international reputation for her leading work in pregnancy-related breast cancer, a devastating form of cancer that is more virulent than other types of breast cancer. About 50% of all breast cancer among young women occurs within five years of pregnancy.

• In May of 2010, AMC hosted the fourth annual “Gift of Life and Breath” a 5k Run to raise awareness and funds for research into the early detection of lung cancer.  Through community support, corporate sponsorships and participant fundraising efforts, the event raised $89,000…more than enough to fund the next year of research conducted by University of Colorado Cancer Center member, Dr. Michael Weyant in collaboration with Dr. Kim O’Neil at Brigham Young University.

• The Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the UCCC receives funding from AMC to support its programs in cancer prevention research and early detection, as well as supporting cancer survivors through the Livestrong Center for Excellence and the Cancer Information and Counseling Line.  The significance of the prevention of cancer, not to mention the importance of early detection, is seen throughout the research and clinical trials taking place at UCCC in all cancer types.  Statistics show that 750,000 lives could be saved through cancer prevention and control. Our work is paying off - there are more than 11 million cancer survivors in the United States today.

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