An Evening of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Posted: Lisa Perry

At age 15, he developed an early-detection test for pancreatic cancer, even after a slew of rejections from potential mentors. Experimenting with a small amount of nitro glycerin, he inadvertently blew a 40-foot crater in his own backyard—and put his family on an FBI watch list. Amazing wunderkind Jack Andraka was the fascinating keynote speaker at An Evening of Hope, this year’s Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research fundraiser. Founder Maureen Shul told guests she discovered him on a broadcast of 60 Minutes and “stalked him” until he agreed to make an appearance in Denver.

Representatives of sponsor Aircraft Performance Group (APG) at the reception

On Saturday, June 18, more than 200 supporters gathered at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus for a casual reception and silent auction. Shul said the event was focused on pancreatic-cancer research, so what better place to be? Guests made their way to the auditorium, where energetic Gary Corbett served as event emcee and auctioneer for five big-ticket items up for bid. Shul told the crowd the event was designed to show the present state of pancreatic cancer, as well as the possibilities to be gained with more research. Also addressing the crowd: Colin Weekes, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medical oncology, as well as Richard Schulick, M.D., M.B.A., professor and chair of the department of surgery, both at CU-Anschutz. The evening ended with a booksigning for “Breakthrough,” authored by Andraka.

Gary Corbett (left), supported by event speakers, makes an appeal for individual donations at the live auction.

From an early age, Jack Andraka was enormously curious about everything to do with science. Before grade school, his parents, with backgrounds in medicine and engineering, taught him the rudiments of scientific methods. It was the death of a close family friend caused by pancreatic cancer that focused Andraka’s energy and brilliance in trying to find a way to detect the disease in its early stages. His test, developed at age 15, costs three cents and five minutes to run—400 times more effective than the previous detection method used by medical professionals. Among a slew of awards, Andraka was honored with the 2014 Jefferson Award, the nation’s most prestigious public-service recognition, and was First Lady Michelle Obama’s personal guest at the State of the Union Address. Andraka recently completed his first year at Stanford University under a grant from National Geographic Emerging Explorer, and conducts research on nanorobots and inkjet-printed biosensors for environmental contaminants and diseases.

Wings of Hope was founded in 2012 by Maureen Shul after losing her brother and mother to pancreatic cancer within months of each other. In 2013, the University of Colorado Cancer Center entered into a formal partnership with her foundation, with all efforts and proceeds going directly toward raising awareness and funding for the the pancreatic cancer research at Anschutz Medical Campus. Wings of Hope has raised approximately $400,000 since its creation. For more information, please visit: www.wingsofhopepcr.org.

: Founder of Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Maureen Shul, with keynote speaker Jack Andraka

: Auctioneer-emcee Gary Corbett and Sherri Sturm

: Debra and Wayne Berger

: Cameron and Aubree Gorsevski

: Theresa Blumberg bids at the silent auction.

: Board member Stacy Ohlsson (right), with Debra and Wayne Berger

: Josh Miller (left) and Michaela Mullins

: Guests at the reception-silent auction

: Dave Jensen (left) and Roger Larson

: Bill and Theresa Blumberg, with Judy Dearasaugh (right)

: Wings of Hope jewelry is shown by Kim and Cole Feilmeier

: Ryan Weickum and Natalie Cantu

: Guests peruse the artwork of pancreatic cancer survivor Arturo Garcia. Garcia donated 50 percent of the profits to Wings of Hope.

: Arturo Garcia, Dennyse Tejeda (left) and Kathy Tejeda, with Arturo’s artwork.

: Dennyse Tejeda (left), Arturo Garcia and Kathy Tejeda

: Pat and Myka Landry

: Karen Wehling (left), with Jerry Sinning and Julie Banahan

: A friendly handshake at the silent auction

: From Saint joseph Hospital (l to r): Katie Tiernan, Lisa Alecci, Kim Irwin and Susan Dill

: Board member Colin Weekes, M.D., Ph.D.; Arturo Garcia and Isaiah Weekes

: Representatives of sponsor Aircraft Performance Group (APG) at the reception

: Bidding at the silent auction

: (l to r): Andrea Scharris, Martha Herbert, Jill Huff, Cecile Schultz and board member Stacy Ohlsson

: Ellias and Elle Najjar

: (l to r): Nancy Mahoney, Janet Comerford, Jane Fine and Gabe Mahoney

: (l to r): Bob Boubek, Theresa Blumberg, Debra Smith, Barry Biggs and Bill Blumberg

: (l to r): Amy Jensen, Roger Larson, David Jensen and Claudia Larson

: Josh and Laura Noel

: Victoria, of Catering by Design (left) and Kathy Tejeda

: Jeanine and Matt Laughlin

: Robert Imhoff (left) and Randy Ohlson

: (l to r): Max Barber, Gayle Peters and Jack Baker

: Representing sponsor Washington Park Chiropractic at the reception

: Meg and Mark Nicolet (left), with Jeremy Andrews

: Cucumber-infused water was a refreshing treat at the reception.

: Emily and George Britt

: Doug Fox and Mandy Dickerson

: Nancy and Karen at the reception

: Judy Ginter and Ruth Pershing

: Deciding on which artwork to purchase

: Robert Olislagers, executive director of event sponsor Centennial Airport, with Wings of Hope founder Maureen Shul

: Engaging wunderkind Jack Andraka chats with guests at the reception.

: Putting in a final bid at the silent auction

: The silent auction included a variety of sports memorabilia.

: Catering by Design servers were kept busy at the reception.

: Sam, Scott and Will St. John

: Checking out bids on an autographed football helmet

: (l to r): Jane Pearson, Marsha Lessar and Alison Biggs

: Gary Corbett tells the audience that without his cowboy hat, he’s an emcee (otherwise, he runs the silent auction).

: Board member Colin Weekes, M.D., Ph.D., points out medical researchers in the audience.

: Richard Schulick, M.D., M.B.A., professor and chair, Department of Surgery, CU Anschutz Medical Campus

: Pledging a donation for Wings of Hope

: Gary Corbett (left), supported by event speakers, makes an appeal for individual donations at the live auction.

: Speakers gathered on stage for a portion of the live auction.

: Enjoying the live auction

: Gary Corbett, auctioneer

: Saying yes to a donation pledge

: Bid cards were raised high during the live auction.

: Pledging a donation to Wings of Hope

: As keynote speaker, engaging Jack Andraka showed his charm matched his brainpower.

: Keynote speaker Jack Andraka developed an early-detection test for pancreatic cancer at age 15.

29 May

Talking about Hope, Soaring and Spying

Posted: Danielle Corriveau

SR-71 “Blackbird” pilot Brian Shul and navigator Walter Watson took guests of the 4^th annual Wings of Hope benefit on a riveting ride. The duo detailed their covert spy plane missions and shared about the unbelievable individual journey each one took to soar in the world’s fastest flying jet. Brain Shul also signed copies of his award-winning books “Sled Driver” and “The Untouchables.”

Prior to the headline presentation, City of Castle Pines Founding Mayor and Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research Founder Maureen Shul gracefully and poetically shared her story of launching the organization. In 2012, she lost both her brother and mother to pancreatic cancer. She channeled her grief into providing hope. In its first year, Wings of Hope raised $45,000, which doubled the following year to $90,000. In 2013, Wings of Hope entered into a formal partnership with the University of Colorado Cancer Center. As a result, Wings of Hope efforts became focused on raising awareness and funding for the pancreatic cancer research ongoing at the CU Cancer Center. In 2015, Wings of Hope established the first endowment for pancreatic cancer research at the CU Cancer Center and is on track to raise $250,000 for CU’s pancreatic cancer research.

“What starts as a single cell gone awry takes monumental effort to fight,” shared Maureen. That effort needs increase as pancreatic cancer, currently the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, is on track to move to number two within the next five years.

She was followed by Dr. Lisa Goodman, who relayed how her medical training helped her advocate for her father to get tested further for his back pain, an act which ultimately revealed he had pancreatic cancer. She channeled her grief into organizing a golf tournament in her father’s honor and brightly shared that it raised $20,000. The funds are going to help Wings of Hope in its mission to fund ongoing pancreatic cancer research.

“I’m excited to partner with Wings of Hope,” said a smiling Dr. Goodman. “It’s an honor to work with Maureen.”

Elias Gebru, originally from Africa, spoke beautifully about his journey of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and despite not having his own family here, had family through Wings of Hope. People, such as Dr. Purcell, helped him navigate his treatment and balance his living situation.

Dr. Jill Pechacek came to the podium with five guiding words. The first was Dream. Since she was 4, she dreamed of being a physician. At 26, months away from realizing that dream, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She went through treatment while finishing medical school. She elected not to have surgery so she had a shot at her next dream: Motherhood. With palpable pride, she shared she is the mother of three and pointed out her children sitting in the second row. She gave Faith as her third word. She now has a new challenge and needs faith and strength to say each day “Not ‘Why me,’ but instead ‘Chose me, Use me so I may do some good and help others today.’” She’s strong in her faith as, at age 46, she was diagnosed with stage-4 pancreatic cancer.

“I tell every doctor ‘I need 10.’ They don’t understand and I say ‘I need 10 years so I can see my children graduate from high school,’ ” shared Dr. Pechacek.

She added Grateful and Give to her list, relaying that she is grateful for every moment, especially those with her children and encouraged the audience to give supporting words, volunteer time and contribute their resources.

“If you can give someone the words ‘I believe in You’ you will be giving powerfully. Those words fuel my faith and fill my spirit.”

A silent slide show closed the opening segment of the program. With the same grace in which all the messaging was delivered, the last slide read “Heartfully. Hopefully. Honestly. Thank You.” These simple words of truth conveyed the deep appreciation Wings of Hope has for its supporters. Yet, the one who wrote them, Maureen Shul, is the one most deserving of them.