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Science, People

Understanding Melanoma

Let's talk about it, the questions and answers to melanoma. Outlining what it is, how to prevent, and how to treat it.

Here at VLCM Foundation we like to have our donors choose from three specific...

Tournament

Our Donations Fund High-Risk, High-Reward Science at HCI

We were so lucky at last month's tournament to be able to hear from some people about Huntsman Cancer Institute and what our donations mean for them. First, we heard from Randy Jorgensen, who is a...

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8 Things You Should Know About VLCM Foundation

1. All monetary and goods donations to VLCM Foundation are tax deductible.

Because VLCM Foundation has been designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. If you itemize your taxes,...

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Huntsman Cancer Foundation Supports the New Huntsman Golf Classic, Hosted by VLCM Foundation

Hello,

Since 2002, dubbed "The Most Meaningful Golf You Can Play," the Huntsman Golf Classic has raised over $7.5 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). It is our...

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Guide to the 2019 Huntsman Golf Classic

So you’re interested in the golf tournament. Or, maybe you’ve already registered. What now? Here’s your quick guide to how the tournament works, complete with photos from past tournaments.

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#ThrowbackThursday Golf Tournament Video

In 2017, we had this cool little video made that explains a little bit about our golf tournament and why we started doing it. You'll hear from a broad range of people and get the chance to see the...

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Huntsman Cancer Foundation and VLCM Foundation Golf Tournaments Merge Under VLCM Foundation's Direction

Huntsman Cancer Foundation has asked VLCM Foundation to take over management of its Huntsman Golf Classic--a proposition which we've gladly accepted. We've chosen to merge the Huntsman Golf...

Science

HCI and U Researchers Help Create Genetic Database to Aid Doctors

Recently, Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah researchers Sean Tavtigian and David Goldgar were involved in a global project to compile as much data as possible on variants of two genes...

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DLL Group is VLCM Foundation's 2018 Donor of the Year

This year, we'd like to begin recognizing individuals and companies in our community who've shown themselves to be especially dedicated to the purpose of eradicating cancer with us. As such,...
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Where Do Donations to VLCM Foundation Go?

All donations to VLCM Foundation go to Huntsman Cancer Institute. In the past, we have opted to let administrators at the institute decide what the money should be spent on. In 2018, we had a...

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2019 Will Be VLCM Foundation's $1 Million Year

Since its beginnings in 2007, VLCM Foundation has raised a total of $983,234.77 for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute. The donations committed for 2019 so far will put us over $1...

Science

HCI Researchers Launch Study to Improve Exercise in Lung Cancer Patients

As we've talked about before, lung cancer is a particularly deadly form of cancer. In some types of lung cancer, surgery has greatly improved survival. However, surgery can be very hard on a...

Science

Why is so much cancer research done in mice?

This is a common question when it comes to cancer research. And mice aren't the only organisms besides humans used to understand cancer.

As it turns out, not all research can be ethically or...

VLCM Foundation Offers Donors the Chance to Tour HCI

Science

Got questions about cancer?

Okay, this week's post is going to be a bit different than usual.

My name is Elise Bailey, I work for VLCM Foundation. If you've read an email, blog article, or social media post from us in the last...

Science

HCI - Stanford Team Identifies "Promising Target" for Childhood Brain Cancer

Medulloblastoma is one of the most common brain cancers in children and infants, and Group 3 medulloblastoma is the most aggressive subtype of that cancer. It accounts for fully 28% of all...

Science

HCI Lung Cancer Research Reveals New Treatment Targets

Lung cancer, as we've talked about before, is very common and very deadly. It's frequently caught late and isn't very treatable. Many researchers are dedicated to understanding and treating the...

Science

More Evidence that Aspirin May Have Anti-Cancer Effects

It has long been suggested that regular use of aspirin might lower the risk of developing cancer. For one cancer—colorectal—the idea is clearly supported by research evidence. For others like...

Science

Hope on the Horizon for Several Potential Melanoma Preventions

Experts on melanoma--a type of skin cancer--from the Melanoma Prevention Working Group recently authored a paper summarizing current research into both drugs and natural products that prevent...

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"Your generosity really does make a difference to us in the lab"

 As we mentioned before, Huntsman Cancer Institute researcher Dr. Mona Foth gave us an update on the state of cancer research and her work at HCI at this year's golf tournament. We were so lucky to...

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HCI Scientist Dr. Mona Foth to Speak at Tournament

Science

HCI Map of Breast Formation Identifies Potential Targets for Cancer Treatment

In partnership with researchers at the Salk Institute in San Diego, Huntsman Cancer Institute scientists have created a map of how breast tissue forms.

Science

Frequently Googled Questions: Cancer Causes

Today's post focuses on three of the most frequently googled questions about cancer causes. There are hundreds of things that can cause cancer, so this article is certainly not exhaustive. It...

Science

Frequently Googled Questions: When Cancer Spreads

Today we'll be answering Google's most searched questions about when cancer spreads. As we'll talk about in a future article, the spread of cancer is how cancer kills so this can be a heavy...

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Newly Designed Foundation Logo Sends Stronger Message

Today, VLCM Foundation is beginning to phase out our old logo to make way for a new one:

Science

Frequently Googled Questions: Cancer Symptoms Part 2

As we said, the topic of cancer symptoms is coming to you in two parts with the second being--perhaps--the more interesting questions Google sees. You can read the first part here. Today's...

Science

Frequently Googled Questions: Cancer Symptoms Part 1

Of all the questions commonly Googled about cancer, questions about its signs and symptoms are among the most common. This topic comes to you in two parts. Today's post will answer questions about...

Science

Frequently Googled Questions: Cancer and Inheritance

Three of the most frequently googled questions about cancer are: "Can cancer be genetic?", "Can cancer be inherited?", and "Which cancer is genetic?". These are the questions we'll be answering...

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Huntsman Cancer Foundation Supports United Against Cancer Golf Tournament

Huntsman Cancer Foundation has been kind enough to provide us with a great deal of help and support through the years as we've worked to raise money for research at the cancer center. They've...

Science

Frequently Googled Questions: Cancer Treatment

Here are answers to the internet's most frequently googled questions about cancer, focusing on treatment.

Science

Frequently Googled Questions: Cancer Screening and Tests

We answer some of the questions most frequently googled about cancer, focusing on cancer screening and testing.

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"You've saved my life...you really have."

You may remember that a patient and a researcher from Huntsman Cancer Institute spoke at 2017's United Against Cancer golf tournament.

We are exactly 100 days away from this year's tournament in...

Science

Frequently Googled Questions: Cancer Statistics

Get ready for a post answering some of the questions most frequently googled about cancer, focusing on statistics.

Science

Alcohol can cause cancer too?

We’ve mentioned it in passing before, but it’s not exactly common knowledge that alcohol is a known carcinogen—it causes cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, “The research evidence...

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What Happens After You Sign Up for the Tournament?

Now that you've registered for the Huntsman Golf Classic hosted by VLCM Foundation, you may be wondering what happens next, especially if this is your first year at the event.

Science

HCI Breakthrough Seven Years in the Making

Gliomas are tumors that arise from the cells in the brain and spinal cord that surround nerves. They’re the most common type of tumor that develops in the area. Despite this, scientists have...

Science

What is a Carcinogen?

Can bacon really cause cancer? What about paint? Alcohol? What is a carcinogen, anyway?

Science

Finding the Problems So They Can be Fixed: Rural Cancer vs. Cancer in the Cities

A recent study under the direction of Huntsman Cancer Institute researcher Dr. Mia Hashibe has examined disparities in cancer survival and incidence between Utah's metropolitan and rural areas.

...

Science

How HCI Has Grown Over the Past 11 Years, And What Has Been Learned There

After looking at how cancer research has changed during the time we've been around, we thought we'd also see how Huntsman Cancer Institute has changed since we began supporting research there 11...

Cancer Research Over the Past 11 Years

VLCM Foundation has been around, in one form or another, for 11 years. Things have been moving quickly in cancer research. To see just how fast, we thought we'd list out the major accomplishments in...

Science

18th Century Math Tests 21st Century Genetics Question

As we've discussed, many genetic changes occur every second in your body. These changes have the potential to lead to cancer down the line, but only if they occur in specific genes. When genetic...

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VLCM Foundation Earns GuideStar's 2018 Gold Seal of Transparency

VLCM Foundation was recently recognized for our transparency with a 2018 Gold Seal on our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile!

Science

HCI Researchers Surprised By Their Own Study's Results

This week's news from Huntsman Cancer Institute is on research just published by HCI researchers into endometrial cancer.

People

Why I Raise Money for Cancer Research

My name is Elise. I'm a senior at the University of Utah--about to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in seven (7?!) weeks--and I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of VLCM...

Science

HCI researchers design new use for pedigrees and discover 2 potentially cancer-causing genes along the way

Huntsman Cancer Institute researchers Nicola Camp and Rosalie Waller have created a new way to use family trees in the search for cancer-causing genes. In testing their new method, they...

Science

What are Cancer Stages?

Most people have probably heard of different stages of cancer, especially if you know anyone who’s dealt with the disease. The system that’s likely familiar for many is on a scale of 0 to IV, and...

Science

What are lymph nodes and why do they matter?

You’ve probably heard of your skeletal, immune, and cardiovascular systems. One biological system you may not have heard of is the lymphatic system. What is it, and what are lymph nodes?

Science

Elephant Genes Could Lead to New Cancer Drug

There's a reason Huntsman Cancer Institute says they have an "elephant doctor" and it's not because they're working on treating cancer in both elephants and humans. In fact, it's because elephants...

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Top Golf Time Added to Upper-Level Tournament Sponsorships

As we work on improving the experience donors have at the United Against Cancer charity golf tournament, we're especially concerned with helping attract new donors at the Par, Birdie, and Eagle...

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Updated Birdie Benefits at Charity Golf Tournament

To make the golf tournament better for donors, and to help us reach our goals, we've made a change to our Birdie sponsorship.

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Foundation to Give Foursome to HCI for a Second Time

At 2017's United Against Cancer charity golf tournament, we tried something new for the first time: inviting experts from Huntsman Cancer Institute, giving them the opportunity to golf, and...

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United Against Cancer Golf Tournament Raises $112,000 for Cancer Research

VLCM Foundation held its annual United Against Cancer golf tournament on September 13th. This year, as always, Huntsman Cancer Foundation will receive every cent raised from the 10th such event, a...

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VLCM Foundation Donates Tournament Foursome to HCI

As VLCM Foundation grows, we want to make a point of focusing on cancer and cancer research rather than just golf (although the golfing is amazing if we do say so ourselves). In keeping with this...

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VLCM Foundation Awarded GuideStar's Gold Seal of Transparency

VLCM Foundation has received GuideStar's Gold Seal of Transparency for the 2017 year.

GuideStar is the world's largest information source for non-profit organizations. They encourage charities...

Science

Why Hasn't Cancer Been Cured? It's Complicated

In 1971, in the wake of the eradication of polio and the first man on the moon, then-President Richard M. Nixon signed a bill into law called the National Cancer Act. Jon Huntsman, Sr., served on...

Science

7 Things You Should Know About Huntsman Cancer Institute

1. Despite being smaller and younger than many of the top cancer centers in the world, Huntsman Cancer Institute is the world leader in discovery of inherited genes that confer susceptibility of...

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7 Things You Should Know About VLCM Foundation

Since publishing, this article has been updated and republished. Read the new version here

1. All monetary and goods donations to VLCM Foundation are 100% tax deductible.

Because VLCM...

People

Mary Beckerle: "Very fortunate conductor of a world-class orchestra"

Growing up, Huntsman Cancer Institute CEO and Director Mary Beckerle never dreamed of being a scientist. She wanted to be either a fireman or a ballerina.

She wasn't interested in science until...

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Donate to VLCM Foundation at No Cost to You

That headline isn't a lie, and there are no catches at all.

One very quick and easy way you can help VLCM Foundation raise money for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute is in the course of...

Science

Family History is Helping Scientists Prevent Cancer

Genealogy is helping scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute prevent cancer in some patients with inherited genetic disorders that predispose them to the disease.

People

Dr. Mario Capecchi and his science that changed the world

Dr. Mario Capecchi is a researcher at the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute, as well as a distinguished professor of human genetics and biology at the university. He is also the...

Science

A new way to help breast cancer patients?

A new study out of Huntsman Cancer Institute brings hope for better treatment to many cancer patients, especially those facing breast cancer. In 2013, 230,815 women and 2,109 men in the United States...

Science

Annual Cost of Running Huntsman Cancer institute

Jon Huntsman, Sr. has frequently said it costs about $120 million a year to keep Huntsman Cancer Institute going. That’s a lot of money. You could buy two rockets from SpaceX for that price. Why...

People

Jon Huntsman, Sr., Founder of Huntsman Cancer Institute

“We didn’t have anything”, says Jon Huntsman, Sr. about his childhood. His family struggled economically the entire time he was growing up. His father didn’t graduate college until he’d graduated...

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Guide to the United Against Cancer Golf Tournament

So you’re interested in the golf tournament. Or, maybe you’ve already registered. What now? Here’s your quick guide to how the tournament works, complete with photos from past tournaments.

Science

Cancer: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How

In the United States, about 39.6% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetimes. African Americans and non-Hispanic whites are significantly more likely to deal...

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