Creative Fundraising for Basic and Translational Research Bob Wilkens, Executive Director - Foundation Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute Memorial University Medical Center Savannah, GA Peter Corrado Director of Development The Wistar Institute Philadelphia, PA

Comments on Basic and Translational Research “To get a promising idea from basic research to actual treatment often requires an element of serendipity. By discovering basic facts, you reduce the distance to new therapies.” “To get a promising idea from basic research to actual treatment often requires an element of serendipity. By discovering basic facts, you reduce the distance to new therapies.” Peter Preuss, Trustee Burnham Institute Burnham Institute

“If I could do it all again, I would be a biomedical researcher.” “If I could do it all again, I would be a biomedical researcher.” Quote attributed to Larry Ellison Quote attributed to Larry Ellison Co-Founder, Oracle Computer

DEFINITIONS Basic Research Basic research (also called fundamental or pure research) has as its primary objective the advancement of knowledge and the theoretical understanding of the relations among variables. It is exploratory and sometimes constructed without any practical end in mind. Sometimes called frontier research since fundamental discoveries may be made alongside work intended to develop new products. Source: Wikipedia.org

Translational Research Attempts to bridge basic and applied research that seeks to move “from bench to bedside,” - From laboratory experiments through clinical trials to actual point-of-care patient applications - Requires a great deal of interaction between academic research and industry practice - Requires a knowledge-driven ecosystem with constituents who generate, contribute, manage, and analyze data in a continuous feedback loop Source: Wikipedia.org

Successful Approaches to Achieving Gifts for Basic and Translational Research Arrange lab visits for interested donors, especially grateful patients Arrange lab visits for interested donors, especially grateful patients Show donors research equipment in action, such as x-ray crystallography and positron emission tomography scans. If possible, relate to their cancer interest. Show donors research equipment in action, such as x-ray crystallography and positron emission tomography scans. If possible, relate to their cancer interest. Arrange donor luncheons which feature presentations by scientists and research-oriented clinicians, moderated by senior medical leaders Arrange donor luncheons which feature presentations by scientists and research-oriented clinicians, moderated by senior medical leaders Have scientists send donors/prospects copies of research papers with description of the meaning of results for cancer research Have scientists send donors/prospects copies of research papers with description of the meaning of results for cancer research

Successful Approaches to Achieving Gifts for Basic and Translational Research Engage donors in highly technical industries (especially pharmaceutical and computer industries) Engage donors in highly technical industries (especially pharmaceutical and computer industries) Show donors examples of bioinformatics in action in the lab Show donors examples of bioinformatics in action in the lab Arrange for Board members to host gatherings at clubs and donor homes. Invite wealthy prospects in financial community and present the subject matter as an educational opportunity on biomedical advances Arrange for Board members to host gatherings at clubs and donor homes. Invite wealthy prospects in financial community and present the subject matter as an educational opportunity on biomedical advances

Successful Approaches to Achieving Gifts for Basic and Translational Research Some research institutions create organizations which become patrons of scientific advancement supported by interested laymen Some research institutions create organizations which become patrons of scientific advancement supported by interested laymen Most important: Assume that the majority of educated prospects have some knowledge of cancer genetics and related developments in the sciences. Don’t talk down to them. Most important: Assume that the majority of educated prospects have some knowledge of cancer genetics and related developments in the sciences. Don’t talk down to them.