Northwest Association for Biomedical Research

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2004 NWABR Annual Dinner

Click here to view a slide show of the event!

Over 300 NWABR members, science teachers, and supporters joined us at the Fairmont Olympic on May 11th, 2004, to celebrate a milestone evening for research and education. Proceeds from the event will directly support NWABR's highly regarded education programs.

NWABR was proud to honor teacher Debbie Alan with our NWABR Outstanding Partner in Education Award.

“Thanks to NWABR, I have spent the last four summers discussing ethics with truly gifted teachers. Ethics now takes a central role in my teaching. I use ethical issues to frame core science concepts and skills, providing students with strong incentives to learn...”Debbie Alan, Academic Dean and Science Faculty at Tri-Cities Prep and Lecturer, Washington State University, Outstanding Partner in Education Award Recipient

The Honorable Gary Locke, Governor of the State of Washington, joined us to introduce Ms. Alan. The Governor spoke directly about how the issue of supporting biomedical research was one of great personal importance to him.

“It is humbling to be in the presence of so many who are doing so much good for us in the Pacific Northwest and indeed around the world. Your work is important—and inspiring. You give the gifts of life and health. And I want to personally thank each and every researcher and educator here this evening.” The Honorable Governor Gary Locke of the State of Washington

Dr. Jerry Radich (right) of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center awarded the NWABR Dr. Alvin Thompson Award to Brian Druker (left) for his role in the development of Gleevec and his outstanding service to the biomedical research community.

“If you listen to people like me, we seem wildly optimistic about the future of cancer therapies...We have more than just hope; we have proof with drugs like Gleevec, that by understanding cancer, we can have hope for specific effective, non-toxic therapies…. What’s unique about this is that it’s a simple effective way of disabling the cancer without disabling the patient.” Brian Druker, developer of Gleevec, JELD-WEN Chair of Leukemia Research at Oregon Health and Science University, Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Member of the Institute of Medicine, Alvin J. Thompson Award Recipient

Student winners of our Biomedical Breakthroughs Middle School Essay and Poster contest also described the role our education outreach programs have played in their lives.

“I wrote my essay on Macular Degeneration, which my grandmother has... In my research [I found out how] widespread animal research is… for almost all life threatening diseases, and how the cures we have would never have been possible without animal research… Cures are going to be coming soon for many diseases, [due to] animal research.” First Place Winner, ‘Biomedical Breakthroughs’ Essay and Poster Contest

One of Dr. Druker's patients shared her remarkable story about the impact Gleevec has had on her life.

“On Gleevec, I travel, I hike, I ski, I work out at the gym. Best of all, I watch my sons grow up… The most amazing thing about Gleevec is that my story is not unusual...Had Gleevec not been developed, there is a good chance I would not be around. I am living proof of the importance of medical research. NWABR is committed to seeing that people understand the importance and power of medical research to unlock the secrets that cure.” Jane, living with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Susan Adler, NWABR Executive Director, with Governor Locke and Dr. King Holmes (right), 2003 recipient of the NWABR Thompson Award.

Thanks to all our sponsors and partners for making this event a tremendous success!

Nobel Sponsor
Novartis

Reception Sponsors
Bennett Bigelow & Leedom

Lasker Sponsors
Rosetta Inpharmatics
SNBL USA, Ltd.
Vulcan, Inc.

National Academy Sponsors
Amgen, Inc.
Heller Ehrman White McAuliffe
ICOS Corporation
Institute for Systems Biology
Oregon Health and Science University

Photos by Gavin Sisk, University of Washington

NWABR is a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
The NWABR web site was made possible by funding from the National Center for Research
Resources and the National Institutes of Health through a Science Education Partnership Award.