Timeline of Results
Since our inception, The Gateway has funded 71 successful cancer research projects helping develop promising treatment innovations to extend and improve the quality of life for cancer patients across the country. We’re fighting for cures NOW and we’ve had many innovative partners and supporters along the way. Browse our timeline to see how our organization has grown since Richard J Stephenson founded the original Cancer Treatment Research Foundation in 1991.
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2010
Destination: Cures, the annual gala, raises more than $1.7 million
A partnership with Stand Up To Cancer is announced in September
The Gateway launches a new initiative: Demand Cures TodaySM
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2009
Signature event Passport to a Cure Destination: Edinburgh raises more than $1.6 million for The Gateway
Randall F. Holcombe, M.D., releases results of Gateway-funded research on phase I biomarker study of dietary grape-derived low-dose resveratrol for colon cancer prevention
The 5th annual Walter Payton run raises more than $85,000
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2008
Passport to a Cure: A Night in Tuscany, the annual gala, raises $1.3 million for The Gateway
John J Kavanagh, M.D., announces that Gateway-funded research shows oral Letrozole has some anti-tumor activity in advanced recurrent low grade or borderline ovarian tumors
The 4th annual Walter Payton run raises just over $90,500
David C. Linehan, M.D., announces promising results from Gateway-funded research into development of rapid, accurate, cost-effective tests for detecting, monitoring and treating pancreatic cancer
In October 2008, Lynette Bisconti—breast cancer survivor for more than a decade and recipient of the 2004 Lifetime Television Breast Cancer Hero award—becomes president of The Gateway
Sally Arai, M.D., announces investigation of the use of patients’ own natural killer cells, called autologous CIK cells from their immune system, as a treatment for patients with blood cancers after they have undergone a bone marrow transplant
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2007
Cancer Treatment Research Foundation becomes The Gateway for Cancer Research
The 3rd annual Walter Payton run raises just over $76,750
Passport to a Cure: Kyoto, Japan, raises $1.4 million for CTRF
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2006
Nora Disis, M.D., with funding from CTRF, announces the development of new types of cancer treatment, including vaccines for the prevention of cancer relapse
Passport to a Cure: Midnight in Marrakech raises $1.8 million for CTRF
Jeanne A. Drisko, M.D., shares results of her CTRF-funded research: Antioxidant Effects in the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Ovarian Cancer When Added to First Line Chemotherapy, with a focus on vitamin C
The 2nd annual Walter Payton run raises more than $74,000
Karam El-Bayoumy, Ph.D., announces results of CTRF-funded research on the effect of selenium on biomarkers of prostate cancer risk, showing that selenium can reduce the levels of PSA in healthy men
Edward A. Hirschowitz, M.D., announces his CTRF-funded research shows it is possible to make biologically active dendritic cell vaccines for non-small cell lung cancer patients
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2005
The National City Bank Gala: Cirque du Triomphe black-tie gala raises nearly $800,000 for CTRF
Timothy P. Fleming, Ph.D., announces results of CTRF-funded research on the targeted killing of breast cancer cells; he and his team identified mammaglobin, a promising target for intervention
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2004
The 1st annual Walter Payton 16,726-yard run (covering the distance of his long-standing rushing record) raises more than $50,000
The National City Bank Superheroes Gala: Changing the Face of Cancer raises nearly $600,000 for CTRF
CTRF establishes the Allstate Cancer Research Fund to give employees at Allstate Workplace Division the opportunity to fight cancer
Whole Foods sponsors a book signing Stronger Than Cancer by Connie Payton, and raises more than $19,000 for the Walter Payton Cancer Fund.
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2003
The Pediatric/Adolescent Cancer Fund is established, including pilot programs such as fundraising projects for schools and individual students
Tim Burnham, Ph.D., announces results of CTRF-funded research showing that a low- to moderate-intensity exercise program performed three times a week can significantly improve the physiological and psychological function (and quality of life) in cancer survivors
In recognition of National Cancer Survivors’ Day, Join the BAND—an outreach program—is launched
The National City Bank Gala – Superheroes: Changing the Face of Cancer features performances by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. and raises $549,000 for CTRF
Held in conjunction with the Institute for Cancer Prevention, the International Conference of Cancer Integrative Medicine (CIM) offers new research findings in complementary and alternative therapies
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2002
In October, CTRF convenes the first International Cancer Integrative Medicine Conference with the support of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
On May 18 at Chicago’s Park West, the Walter Payton Cancer Fund’s 2nd Annual Celebration of Life benefit concert, Passion for a Cure, includes a performance from Grammy winner Roberta Flack
The annual gala raises close to $540,000
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2001
The Annual National City Superheroes Gala raises $500,000 for CTRF
Martin Lipkin, M.D. announces CTRF-funded research results highlighting the importance of dietary management and control in treatment of colon cancer
CTRF begins work on sponsorship of the upcoming International Conference of Cancer Integrative Medicine (CIM)
Omer Kucuk, M.D., releases CTRF-funded research results showing that cancer patients who achieve sufficient zinc status have fewer infections and hospitalizations—and a greater quality of life
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2000
The Walter Payton Cancer Fund is established to support groundbreaking cancer research for integrative cancer therapies; Illinois Governor George H. Ryan declares April 21, 2001, to be Cancer Awareness Day in Illinois
Walter Payton’s widow, Connie, testifies on Capitol Hill on “Integrative Oncology-Cancer Care for the New Millennium”
Dr. Shimon Slavin visits CTRF and discusses his work on prevention of rejection of transplanted bone marrow and organs—a practice now considered a treatment of choice in transplant centers around the world for patients who relapse after transplantation
CTRF partners with The Marcus Foundation to investigate the influence of soy in reducing breast cancer risk in healthy, premenopausal women
The CTRF Gala 2000 – 21st Century Express, held in Chicago’s recently renovated Union Station, raises nearly $560,000
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1999
Students Against Cancer continues to grow, including the National Honors Society and the Interfraternity Council
Brittanica.com selects CTRF as the only health care organization partner for its new online charitable donation program
Sebastiano Gattoni-Celli, M.D., announces CTRF-funded research results that show that tumor cell hybrids can be engineered and administered as a patient-tailored therapeutic vaccine
The Share the Magic Fund is established to bring magicians and other performers together to raise money for children’s cancer research
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1998
CTRF.org launches with the organization’s first online presence
CTRF publishes the textbook Nutritional Oncology: An Integrated Approach to Cancer Care
The Designs for Hope III Gala raises $323,000 for CTRF, twice the fundraising goal of organizers
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1997
A CTRF-funded ground-breaking study on shark cartilage in the treatment of cancer shows the treatment is not effective in treating advanced-stage cancer in adults, as announced at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
The 4th annual International Symposium on Nutrition in Cancer, sponsored by CRTF, is held in New Orleans; Judah Folkman, M.D., receives the Career Achievement Award and speaks about his 20-year search for the Modulation of Angiogenesis (the creation of new blood vessels)
CTRF becomes the 19th national member of the National Coalition for Cancer Research
CTRF receives $50,000 grant to underwrite and co-produce a segment called “Nutrition and Cancer” for Cutting Edge Medical Report, a TV magazine broadcast on The Discovery Channel
Students Against Cancer club starts, enlisting school children to raise awareness and funds
Nordstrom and St. John join CTRF in the Battle Against Cancer, a breakfast/fashion show that raises $10,000 in funds
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1996
On June 1, the City of Chicago celebrates the opening and dedication of Chicago’s Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Survivor’s Plaza in Grant Park; CTRF facilitates the park’s design, construction and dedication
The 2nd annual NOAT congress is held in Philadelphia
NOAT President and CTRF Board member Daniel W. Nixon, M.D., wins a five-year, $4.5-million grant from the U.S. Navy to fund a cancer control program aimed at preventing cervical, breast, prostate and colon cancers among American military dependents
CTRF announces the funding of research by Sarah S. Bacus, Ph.D. on the HER-2/neu oncogene in breast cancer response to chemotherapy, eventually leading to the increased, successful use of Herceptin in treatment
Designs For Hope II event raises $115,000 for CTRF
CTRF funds a study examining the use of shark cartilage as an anticancer agent
June 1996 is named Cancer Survivors Awareness Month
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1995
CTRF forms its Board of Scientific Counselors to review and evaluate the progress of each research program supported by the organization
The 3rd annual Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment Symposium, sponsored by CTRF, is held in Tampa, FL.
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1994
The 2nd Annual Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment Symposium, co-hosted by CTRF and the American College of Nutrition (ACN), is held in San Diego
CTRF publishes Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment, a compilation of papers presented at the first annual Nutrition in Cancer Treatment Symposium
CTRF Board of Directors President Fred Fitzsimmons signs a memorandum of understanding with CTRF and is named to the board of NOAT; CTRF gives the organization a seed grand of $25,000
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1993
CTRF participates in talks to form The Society for Nutritional Oncology Adjuvant Therapy (NOAT)
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1992
The first annual Nutrition in Cancer Treatment Symposium is held, sponsored by CTRF
CTRF presents Dr. Linus Pauling with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his early work on nutritional oncology
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1991
Cancer Treatment Research Foundation (CTRF) is founded by Chairman Richard J Stephenson to find ways to expeditiously apply the latest truly “make a difference,” innovative, novel and world class research findings to cancer research
