Thomas Legacy Society

Leave a Lifesaving Legacy

The Thomas Legacy Society at Fred Hutch is a special group of supporters who have made a commitment through a gift in their will, trust or other planned gift to drive lifesaving cancer research and improve the lives of patients in the years to come.

As a member of the Thomas Legacy Society, you take your place at the forefront of cancer research with luminaries like Dr. E. Donnall Thomas and Dottie Thomas, the Society’s namesakes. Don Thomas developed bone marrow transplantation as a cure for leukemia, an achievement that earned him a Nobel Prize. Through a gift in their estate, Don and Dottie left a legacy not only of lifesaving scientific discoveries, but also of their spirit of generosity.

Your legacy gift is one of the most significant gifts you can make. Your support will make a difference in the lives of those fighting cancer and related diseases for many years to come. 

50K

patient stem cell transplants per year
More than 50,000 patients worldwide receive blood stem cell transplants annually, all tracing back to Don Thomas’ work.

750+

have put Fred Hutch in their will
More than 750 individuals have made a commitment to eliminating cancer by including Fred Hutch in their estate plans.

65

is the average age when donors join
You can join the Thomas Legacy Society at any age! Members range in age from 29 to 106.

$15.7M

bequests supported our research in 2022
Thanks to our generous donors' foresight, planned gifts contributed nearly $16 million to Fred Hutch’s lifesaving research in 2022.

Don and Dottie Thomas

Don and Dottie left a legacy not only of lifesaving scientific discoveries but also of their spirit of generosity. They established a charitable trust that paid them income and then benefitted Fred Hutch at their passing. Other gifts established “Dottie’s Bridge,” an endowment designed to help promising researchers bridge the gap between the end of their fellowships and their first federal grant awards. With these gifts, the Thomases continue to propel innovative research and improve patient care, far into the future.
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Our Supporters

Meet all our supporters>

Thomas Legacy Society members feel deeply that cancer must be stopped. They are devoted to inspiring our world-renowned scientists and powering the groundbreaking research that will create new insights and treatments, translate discoveries into cures and transform the lives of millions. Here are stories of people like you who are committed to curing cancer.

 

Anne Jannetti and David Strong at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center..

Fighting Back Strong

After his battle with cancer, David Strong realized what’s truly important in life, and today he’s living in gratitude — and showing it with a legacy gift to Fred Hutch.

John DeVore with one of his cherished pieces of baseball memorabilia

A Generous Collector

After more than 40 years of building a jaw-dropping collection of sports memorabilia that included championship rings and a one-of-a-kind baseball glove, John DeVore made the generous decision to donate them to Fred Hutch, delighting a new generation of fans while supporting cancer research.

Stan Opdyke standing in front of shelves filled with baseball cards

A Steadfast Commitment to Curing Cancer

A love of baseball and a generous spirit have inspired Stan Opdyke to support Fred Hutch for three decades, through community awareness efforts and, most recently, by establishing a charitable gift annuity.

Benefits of membership

We are deeply grateful for your generosity. When you notify us of your intended gift to Fred Hutch, you become a member of the Thomas Legacy Society and receive the following benefits and recognition opportunities:

  • Your name on the Thomas Legacy Society wall at Fred Hutch.*
  • Subscriptions to Fred Hutch News, a digital monthly news digest; and the Thomas Legacy Society newsletter.
  • Invitations to our annual Loyalty Celebration and other exclusive events.
  • A personalized tour of the Fred Hutch campus for you, your family members and friends.

*We respect the privacy of members who choose to remain anonymous.

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