Reuniting for a Cause

Dr. Birgit Millauer, long-time friend of Clearity Founder Dr. Laura Shawver, will be hosting a fundraising event in San Francisco in mid-November with co-hosts Aimee Jungman and Stefanie Rosenberg. Birgit and Laura go way back publishing a seminal paper together in Nature showing that tumor angiogenesis was driven by Flk-1 (now called the VEGF receptor. Along with Clearity Foundation Scientific Advisor Dr. Julie Cherrington, the three cancer researchers used this information and were pioneers of personalized medicine when they worked together in the 1990s at SUGEN. It was there at the biopharmaceutical company that they led the innovative approach of molecular profiling patient samples as part of clinical trials that evaluated targeted anti-cancer agents, and successfully developed a drug for kidney and stomach cancers.

Their careers took them on different paths, but they’ve always remained close. As demand for Clearity's services has grown requiring more resources, Birgit decided to tap her large Rolodex of former SUGEN colleagues and biotech industry executives and invite them to an event in her home. She is planning a mini reunion of sorts – a terrific excuse to reconnect with biotech colleagues who are associated in one way or another to cancer research; they have a natural affinity to and appreciate the value of how Clearity is helping patients individualize their treatments and improving their success. Birgit has a close friend who is fighting a rare cancer and Clearity Foundation has stepped in to help her with access to molecular profiling.

Aimee Jungman and Stefanie Rosenberg have both benefitted directly from Clearity’s profiling expertise. Prior to joining Clearity’s board, Aimee was struggling in her battle with ovarian cancer using standard therapy, until she learned more about her own genetic profile and changed her treatments accordingly. She has said that Clearity saved her life and her fundraising efforts will benefit another patient in a similar situation. Her friend Stefanie learned from Aimee’s experience and took action to understand her genetic risks for cancer. She is volunteering her support of this fundraiser to help raise awareness.

It’s sure to be an informative event including wine, live music, and a presentation from a physician thought leader. The women will pool resources to solicit in-kind donations and discounted entertainment, so that when the hat is passed, they help underwrite the costs of molecular profiling and education for Clearity patients. Birgit has also rallied the support of her employer, the law firm Chao Hadidi Stark & Barker, to help. With the Twin Peaks as the backdrop, this festive event will reunite friends and professional colleagues while supporting a cause near and dear to everyone in attendance!