Landmark gift to accelerate cancer and infectious disease research

The Bezos family has committed $710.5 million over the next decade to accelerate Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s multifaceted approach to scientific discovery. The gift supports the organization’s efforts to dramatically accelerate the pace and breadth of medical breakthroughs in cancer and infectious disease by tapping the full potential of today’s science.

The landmark gift builds on previous Bezos family funding for research in immunotherapy treatments using the body’s own immune system to attack cancerous or diseased cells. Fred Hutch is a world leader in developing immunotherapies and prior support from the family led to the opening of a first-of-its-kind, patient-centered clinic to provide novel cell therapies to people with a variety of cancers.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Bezos family for sharing our sense of urgency to make discoveries that save lives and for understanding the enormity of that challenge,” said Dr. Thomas J. Lynch, professor (Medical Oncology), president and director of Fred Hutch, and holder of the Raisbeck Endowed Chair. “As we saw in the global response to COVID-19, scientific progress can move quickly when leading experts are rapidly provided with the resources needed and when organizations from across the world work together.”