Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research

SEPTEMBER 2024

12th annual Evening of Hope raises record-breaking $60,000 for pancreatic cancer research

CU cancer researchers and Colorado’s Miss America share stories of inspiration and hope

It was an Evening of Hope—and notable success—on Sept. 6 when Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research raised more than $60,000 to support the groundbreaking work taking place year-round at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. The total included a $20,000 title sponsorship by Colorado business leader Jake Jabs, who lost his wife to the disease.

“This year’s Evening of Hope was the biggest crowd, fastest sell out, and one of the most special,” said Maureen Shul, Wings of Hope’s founder and executive director. “Each year, these benefits attract a bigger crowd of people who have been impacted by this horrid disease, all wanting to do something to further the research. I never cease to be amazed by the kindness of those who attend—kindness for one another, and especially for those on this cancer journey.”

Tributes were made to those in the community who have lost their battles with pancreatic cancer, including former Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon, who died last December.

The 12th annual Evening of Hope is an annual gala where cancer researchers from the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora join financial supporters and cancer survivors to celebrate recent progress and to raise more funds for the ongoing exploration into the prevention, detection and treatment of one of the world’s most challenging cancers.

“I am extremely grateful to Wings of Hope because it was actually the first organization that believed in our research and gave us funds to allow us to study what we believe is important for pancreatic cancer,” Dr. Carlo Marchetti, a CU research professor, told the sold-out audience in the Exploration of Flight hangar at Centennial Airport.

As a direct result of initial seed money from Wings of Hope, Marchetti said his research into treating inflammation and bodily resistance to chemotherapies was able to attract even more backing from larger funding sources that would not have been available otherwise.

Dr. Richard Schulick, director of the Cancer Center, described how the small, locally funded Wings of Hope is a case study in how every donation—literally no matter how small—can truly make a difference, even with something as seemingly overwhelming as finding potential cures or treatments for pancreatic cancer.

“[Researchers] take that money and they generate some preliminary data,” Schulick explained, “and then they apply to the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. Defense Department or other funding agencies, and they turn that $50,000 into $2 million. And then, we take that money and turn it into multiple grants, clinical trials and multiple paths forward to better treat our patients.”

Although there is still much work to be done, the hope in the room was contagious.

“I have far more hope for pancreatic cancer research [now]. In fact, that’s because of you,” Dr. Sana Karam told the audience. “… Not only were we able to establish a research program and plant the seed, but we planted a forest.”

The keynote speaker for this year’s Evening of Hope was Miss America 2024 Madison Marsh, who started the Whitney Marsh Foundation after losing her mother to pancreatic cancer.

“The most important thing in that entire process was finding hope,” Marsh said. “… I just remember seeing the strength and the tenacity [my mother] brought every single day in that battle. That’s what I wanted to emulate.”

Since graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in physics, the first Miss America to double as an active-duty Air Force officer has done her graduate work at Harvard Medical School, where she studies how artificial intelligence might be used to detect tumors in the pancreas.

“[I wanted] to make my life about something that I cared about,” Marsh said. “Because I knew if we all do something that we’re passionate about and surround ourselves with people that we love—that is how we’re going to make the change.”

Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research was born 12 years ago after founder Maureen Shul, a former Castle Pines mayor, lost both her mother and brother to the disease within months of each other.

Submitted by Peter Jones

AUGUST 2024

KINGSBURY OPEN

Founder of the Kingsbury Open Lisa Goodman with founder of Wings of Hope, Maureen Shul

On a spectacular, sunny morning, over 140 golfers gathered at Golf Club at Bear Dance in Larkspur to participate in the 10th annual Kingsbury Open. Year after year, this always sold-out premier golf event grows in stature and popularity, all for the purpose of raising funds for pancreatic cancer research at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

Founded 10 years ago by Dr. Lisa Goodman in memory of her father Thomas Kingsbury, whom she lost to pancreatic cancer, the tournament to date has raised approximately $500,000 for pancreatic cancer research.

Partnering with WINGS OF HOPE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH 10 years ago, the Kingsbury Open has become an integral component in the annual grants awarded at Anschutz Medical Campus for pancreatic cancer research.

Congratulations to Lisa and Joe Goodman, Washington Park Chiropractic, the generous sponsors, donors, volunteers, and all those who participated to make this year’s Kingsbury Open the most successful one yet.

To view October 22, 2011 WINGS OF HOPE event click here....

To view April 25th, 2013 WINGS OF HOPE event click here....

To view October 30th, 2014 WINGS OF HOPE event click here....

To view our many other past events click here....