“You don’t have to experience a life-changing moment to decide it’s time to give to cancer research,” said Fred Hutch Cancer Center donor and volunteer Renee Hawkes.

But for Hawkes, the moment was personal. “My best friend’s daughter, Vivian, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2018 when she was just 4 years old. It was inoperable and there was no known cure,” she said.

When Vivian received her first diagnosis, Hawkes began looking for a way to take action.

“Looking from the sidelines leaves a hole,” Hawkes said. “I said to myself, ‘I need to make a bigger difference. »

The research at Fred Hutch “was the kind of energy and passion and drive I was looking for,” she said. In addition to making a personal donation, Hawkes, who is a financial advisor to the Matthews Group at UBS, contacted executives at Fred Hutch’s group. Professional Advisory Council. The council brings together professionals interested in helping Fred Hutch increase its charitable giving and assisting advisors whose clients may choose to include groundbreaking research in their legacy.

The council was in full force at the time, but Hawkes would not take no for an answer. “I had 45 minutes to explain why they needed to create an extra seat for me,” she said. The pitch was successful and Hawkes got to work. Now serving as board president, she continues to encourage her community and customers to support Fred Hutch, whether by donating, volunteering, or joining an event.

“Just take that first step and see how you feel,” she said. “Once you take that step, you start to see the impact of Fred Hutch everywhere.”