Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research

SEPTEMBER 2023

Evening of Hope raises $50,000 to support pancreatic cancer research at the CU Cancer Center

Study linking radiation and immunotherapy to begin human efficacy trials in October

The annual Evening of Hope held on Sept. 8 was yet another successful night to celebrate courage and support Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research. More than $50,000 was raised to support the groundbreaking work taking place at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

Most exciting was the announcement that one of the fast-moving, Wings of Hope-supported projects will start its first-phase human efficacy trials in October. A peer-reviewed analysis of the study’s experimental treatment that combines radiation and immunotherapy was published earlier this year by the medical journal Cancer Cell.

“This is about fighting the fight for our patients. We have to eradicate it.” Dr. Sana Karam, the lead researcher, told the sold-out audience of Wings of Hope supporters. “The only way to advance science, to advance trials and to cure cancer is through rigorous research that can move the needle. That’s why we need you. So help us to continue to fight the fight.”

Highly targeted radiation is increasingly seen as a strategic medicine to trigger an immune response in the pancreas. Karam, a radiation oncologist, describes the therapy as less a frontal assault on the cancer than a preventative vaccine working against the stubborn, recurring cancer cells.

In Karam’s animal studies, many of the mice injected with pancreatic cancer cells lived more than five times longer than those receiving no therapy. In the later human trials that tested safety only, the targeted radiation was well tolerated by its 18 patients.

Seed funding for the early stages of research came from one of three $50,000 grants awarded in 2019 by Wings of Hope that fund ongoing pancreatic cancer research at the CU Cancer Center at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.

Such successes in the Wings of Hope community have slowly garnered the attention of the larger world of cancer research.

Among the other speakers this year was five-year survivor Cathy Noon, a former Centennial mayor, who was recently asked to become a “consumer reviewer” for the U.S. Defense Department’s veteran-centered cancer-research program. Maureen Shul, the founder of Wings of Hope, who lost two family members to pancreatic cancer, will participate as a “caregiver reviewer” in the same program.

“I want to say congratulations to Wings of Hope, to Maureen and to all of you for getting us where we are today,” Noon told the audience. “We just keep taking those baby steps and they keep turning into bigger and bigger ones.”

2023 KINGSBURY OPEN

From Lisa Kingsbury Goodman, founder of the Kingsbury Open:

NOVEMBER 5, 2022

CITY PARK 5K RUN/WALK for PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH

Over 525 people braved the early hour and bitter cold to participate in the 2022 City Park 5K Run/Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Powered by the CU Cancer Center and the Division of Surgical Oncology, WINGS OF HOPE was proud to be a part of this incredible morning where staff, patients, doctors, families, runners, walkers, survivors, and surgeons connected, ran and walked together for a purpose meaningful to all of them. Huge thanks to Cathy and Jim Noon and Evie for being such incredible ambassadors for WINGS OF HOPE and giving their entire morning to this event. Thanks also to Jonathan Radin who claims he doesn’t know what he’s doing most of the time, but makes it happen better than anyone. The planning is already underway to make next year’s event bigger, better, and a lot warmer.

OCTOBER 22, 2022

WINGS OF HOPE LANDS IN BOSTON

Featured speaker SR-71 Pilot Brian Shul, WINGS OF HOPE founder Maureen Shul, and event auctioneer Gary Corbett

WINGS OF HOPE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH presented an ‘Evening of Hope’ at Constitution Wharf in Boston to benefit the pancreatic cancer research program at Massachusetts General Hospital. At the invitation of Dr. Colin Weekes, Director, Medical Oncology Research for Pancreatic Cancer at MGH, WINGS OF HOPE founder Maureen Shul worked with the exceptional staff at MGH Development Office for several months to ensure the evening was an enjoyable success in bringing together physicians, researchers, patients, families and staff to create community with those involved and impacted by this disease. After opening remarks, Maureen Shul spoke to the reasons for the WINGS OF HOPE non profit organization and the necessity of maintaining hope through every facet of the disease and every funded research project. Auctioneer Gary Corbett was a hit with the crowd of New Englanders, followed by featured speaker SR-71 pilot Brian Shul whose remarks on the theme of never giving up in the face of insurmountable odds resonated deeply. “The evening was important in developing community in support of the MGH pancreatic cancer program,” stated Dr. Weekes, “and a unique opportunity for our patients and their families to engage with the combined clinical and research teams that form the foundation of our program.”

September 2022

Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research marks its first decade at emotional gala

Please click here to read full article.

September 2022

Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research marks its first decade at emotional gala

Colorado nonprofit has raised more than $2 million for the CU Cancer Center since 2012

The 10th anniversary of Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research on Sept. 23 was truly an Evening of Hope as groundbreaking medical inquiry met inspiring stories of survival and resilience.

“The biggest hope I had [at last year’s event] was to make it another year and be able to attend today—and thank God, I am,” said Cathy Noon, a pancreatic cancer survivor and a former mayor of Centennial who participates in the Wings of Hope grant process.

Noon shared the stage with Melissa East, a 14-year survivor whose younger brother died of the same disease in 1999, leaving behind a widow and 6-year-old twins.

“Ultimately, pancreatic cancer research is about people,” she said. “People who need hope because they have things to do with their lives in this world—raising young twins, visiting the Amazon rainforest on a canoe, whatever can be dreamed.”

The 10th Evening of Hope was held at Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport where the Wings were as literal as figurative. The keynote speaker was noted SR-71 pilot Brian Shul, who lost his mother and brother to pancreatic cancer within months of each other. His sister, Maureen, founded Wings of Hope a decade ago as a way to make sense of their tragic losses.

“I had to find a way to give meaning to what was unspeakable,” she told the audience of Wings of Hope supporters who have in total donated more than $2 million to support groundbreaking medical research at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. “Everything that’s been done these last few years, everything that has been accomplished, could not have happened without the support and generosity of so many of you.”

Richard Schulick, M.D., director of the CU Cancer Center, the research organization that is the recipient of the funding, stressed the importance of the vigilant battle made possible by Wings of Hope.

“Pancreatic cancer is a beast,” he said. “This year, 60,000 Americans will be newly diagnosed … and 42,000 will pass away. It’s the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States.”

Not that there isn’t reason for hope to take flight.

“I consider it a true privilege to meet with [patients and families],” Schulick said, “to help design a plan to take care of them, cure some of them, but help every one.”

On the bright and hopeful side, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer has risen from a meager 4% back when Schulick was a medical intern to greater than 40% today. The difference can be largely attributed to the range of medical investigations that take place every day at CU Cancer Center and other state-of-the-art facilities around the world.

“Research can be the key to moving forward,” explained Carlo Marchetti, Ph.D., a Wings of Hope grant recipient who serves as a research professor at CU’s Anschutz Medical Campus. “Research depends on your support.”

The groundbreaking Wings of Hope-supported trials have included the detailed testing of new drugs and treatments—ideas that may have sat dormant on notepads without the necessary funding that came with the launch of Wings of Hope 10 years ago.

“Within a short period of time, a lot of data was produced and we’re moving forward—and that wouldn’t be possible without Wings of Hope,” said Todd Pitts, a grant recipient who serves as director of CU’s GI Transitional Research Lab.

It is that kind of progress that Maureen Shul envisioned in 2012 when she founded Wings of Hope after discovering there to be a dearth of foundations solely dedicated to supporting pancreatic cancer research.

“After the tragedies in my own family, I learned very quickly that it was the research more than anything else that had an impact,” she said.

The name of the organization—with its natural metaphors for support and progress—took flight in a quite literal way as Shul made the difficult back-to-back plane trips to two family memorials. Those were the only two times that Shul had been seated directly adjacent a wing.

“The first was flying back from my brother’s funeral in Seattle. The second was flying back from my mother’s in St. Petersburg, Florida,” the Wings of Hope founder remembered. “It was just so surreal to stare out at that wing in the clouds for so long.”

The Wings of Hope name and logo were soon born.

A quote from South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu seemed to sum up the Wings of Hope mission and life-saving research in general, the founder said. “There comes a point where we need to stop pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”

September 2022

10th Annual Evening of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research with SR-71 Pilot

An Evening of Hope With SR-71 Blackbird Pilot Brian Shul

Story and photos by Lisa Perry

Amid the congenial atmosphere and live-auction fun at the 10th annual Wings of Hope “Evening of Hope,” there were some serious facts about pancreatic cancer. There was also also a “wow” true story from SR-71 Blackbird pilot Brian Shul. But as the night went on, one thing stood out: Among this crowd, Maureen Shul is the emerging candidate for the next presidential election. After speakers praised the Wings of Hope founder and inaugural mayor of Castle Pines, they also mentioned what a great president she would be. When she took her turn at the podium, first she apologized for the event running long. Then, she deadpanned: “Volunteers, I’d like you all to stay late, after the event, and make sure everything is cleaned up for my presidential campaign meeting.”

On Friday, Sept. 23, around 300 supporters converged on Exploration of Flight Hangar at Centennial Airport, the ideal location for keynote speaker Brian Shul, retired USAF major and one of only 93 people to pilot the SR-71, the top-secret Blackbird–the world’s fastest, highest-flying aircraft ever built. Gary Corbett led a live auction of 17 quickly sold items. The evening’s other speakers were: Melissa East, 14-year pancreatic cancer survivor; Cathy Noon, former Centennial mayor and 4-year pancreatic cancer survivor; Carlo Marchetti, PhD, research assistant professor at CU Anschutz Medical Campus and Wings of Hope research grant recipient; Todd Pitts, director of the GI Translational Research Lab, associate professor at CU Anschutz Medical Campus and Wings of Hope research grant recipient; Richard Schulick, MD, MBA, director of the CU Cancer Center; and Maureen Shul.

One of the more sobering statistics of pancreatic cancer is the fact there are so few survivors of this disease to tell their story and advocate for increased research. Founded in 2012 by Maureen Shul after losing her mother Blanche and brother Victor, Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research is a non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research and programs at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. In February 2013, Wings of Hope and the cancer center entered into a partnership, with both entities combining efforts to have the CU Cancer Center become the regional hub and national destination for pancreatic cancer research.

The foundation’s focused effort not only helps better define priorities, but also makes a definitive statement about the critical urgency and need for pancreatic cancer research to continue at an accelerated pace. An all-volunteer effort, Wings of Hope has raised approximately $2 million, all of which has been provided to the CU Cancer Center in the form of grants to fund pancreatic cancer research. For more information about Wings of Hope, go to: WingsofHopePCR.org. To learn more about CU Cancer Center, visit: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/colorado-cancer-center

SEPTEMBER 2022

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL AND SOLD OUT KINGSBURY OPEN

RAISES $35k for PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH

Every year we think the Kingsbury Open cannot get any better, and every year we are overjoyed as to how wonderfully perfect, magnificent, and successful the day turns out. On the most spectacular sun drenched day, a sell out crowd of golfers wanting to help the effort to fund pancreatic cancer research at CU Cancer Center met at Bear Dance Golf Club in Larkspur, Colorado, and through their generous participation, did just that. Thank you to Lisa Kingsbury Goodman for starting this tournament in memory of her father, all the exceptional volunteers who make the day go so smoothly, the generous sponsors, and the many supporters who donate to this event in many different ways. While the tournament is a fun day to be with friends in the most beautiful setting, no one loses sight of the fact we are playing in memory of those we have lost to this disease and in honor and support of those going through it. Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and helped make this day so special and successful.

JULY 2022

SHANE LEE MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES $40k FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH

Colin Daugherty, Laurie Jokerst, Maureen Shul

On July 30, 2022 under a beautiful Colorado sky, golfers teed off at Loveland’s Mariana Butte Golf Course to help fund pancreatic cancer research. For 8 years the Shane Lee Memorial has partnered with WINGS OF HOPE for this event, all proceeds going directly to fund pancreatic cancer research at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. This year’s sold out event raised $40k in net proceeds for pancreatic cancer research. Thank you to the great sponsors, enthusiastic players, and generous supporters, all of whom made this event such a success!

EVENING OF HOPE 2021

with Hazel Miller and The Collective

September 18, 2021

Thank you to the sell out crowd, the wonderful Hazel Miller and The Collective, the always tremendous WINGS OF HOPE volunteers, our generous sponsors, the kind donors to our auction, and all those whose tremendous support made this the most successful WINGS OF HOPE benefit to date!

Despite the continuing effects of COVID-19, a dedicated community of supporters converged Sept. 18 for the sold-out Evening of Hope, generating more than $100,000 to benefit pancreatic cancer research at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

“Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research was determined since the pandemic began not to stop the fundraising,” said Maureen Shul, executive director and founder of the Colorado-based nonprofit organization. “That so many attended our benefit to hear Hazel Miller perform and support funding pancreatic cancer research at CU Cancer Center far surpassed anything I had hoped for.”

An eclectic crowd of CU physicians and researchers, pancreatic cancer patients and survivors, and an array of people with no personal connection to the disease came together at Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club in Aurora for a cocktail reception, a sit-down dinner, a live auction and a dynamic performance by Hazel Miller and the Collective.

“To hear the top oncologists at Anschutz Medical Campus share the latest developments in pancreatic cancer research and treatments, as well as hear from those on their own journey with this disease, is what made the evening so intensely meaningful,” Shul said.

After a year of lockdowns and bad news, the crowd was ready for something fun, as well as some relatively good news concerning the most challenging of deadly cancers.

Marco Del Chiaro, M.D., the CU Cancer Center’s division chief of surgical oncology, noted that the survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients has gone up a full 1,000% since the 1970s.

“This improvement is related to research,” he said. “We can offer some of those patients much more hope through a multimodal approach of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.”

Richard Schulick, M.D., the CU Cancer Center’s director, compared today’s overall prognosis to the early days of his career three decades ago when only two out of every 100 pancreatic cancer patients could expect to survive five years after diagnosis.

“We’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go,” Schulick said. “We know what the game plan is. We have to invest more in research.”

That plan has come to life, thanks in part to the activities of Wings of Hope, which has been funding groundbreaking research at the Anschutz Medical Campus since 2013. Most recently, the organization provided the seed money needed to study the effectiveness of immunotherapy to stimulate the body’s ability to fend off aggressive cancer cells.

“So far, pancreatic cancer has been very resistant to that, so we’re hoping this will show a change,” said Wells Messersmith, M.D., the center’s associate director of medical oncology. “The philanthropy raised through Wings of Hope helped us to actually open a clinical trial. There were a lot of start-up costs and things that we just didn’t have.”

Thanks to events like Evening of Hope and the recent Kingsbury Open Golf Tournament, those successes are expected to continue. Shul announced that the volunteer-run Wings of Hope has now raised a total of $1.3 million, all of which directly funds the ongoing research.

Shul paid tribute to former Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon, a pancreatic cancer patient who attended Evening of Hope.

“She has been an inspiration to many of us and shown us what leadership with integrity is all about,” said Shul, who founded Wings of Hope after losing two members of her family to pancreatic cancer.

“I want to thank you for giving me the space and support to take the ever-present sadness of losing my mother and my brother to this disease and give meaning and purpose to that grief through this foundation,” Shul said in her closing remarks.

KINGSBURY OPEN

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

THANK YOU to everyone who made this year’s Kingsbury Open another successful, sold-out, magnificent event, all to benefit pancreatic cancer research at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. To Lisa and Joe Goodman, the wonderful volunteers, sponsors, donors, and every golfer who played with purpose under sunny skies at the gorgeous Bear Dance Golf Club, THANK YOU for making a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

September 3, 2020

2020 KINGSBURY OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT

Founder of WINGS OF HOPE Maureen Shul with Kingsbury Open founder Lisa Goodman

Congratulations to everyone involved in the 2020 Kingsbury Open which, once again, surpassed all expectations. The annual sold out event was played on the most gorgeous September day at Bear Dance Golf Club in Larkspur, Colorado, with the last foursome finishing just as the sun was setting.

To the 188 players, the generous donors, the Bear Dance staff, the Washington Park Chiropractic team that puts it all together, and foremost to Lisa Goodman (and her entire family) who founded the Kingsbury Open in memory of her Dad, Thomas Kingsbury, who lost his life to pancreatic cancer, a heartfelt and tremendous thank you for this event that benefits WINGS OF HOPE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH. All proceeds from the event go directly to funding pancreatic cancer research at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

While the tournament has become one of the premier and most enjoyable golf events in Colorado, no one forgets the purpose behind it and the positive impact it is having on moving pancreatic cancer research forward.

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....