our history
In 2012, Ben Towne Foundation contributed $1,260,000 to the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research to fund further pre-clinical research aimed at developing protocols for leukemia, neuroblastoma, brain cancers and sarcomas.
In 2012, Seattle Children’s Research Institute honored Ben Towne Foundation by renaming it’s Cancer Research Center: Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research.
In 2011, Ben Towne Foundation contributed 1 million dollars to the Center for Childhood Cancer Research. These funds are going directly towards research required to obtain FDA approval for a new clinical T-cell trial. For more information about this project, please visit our partners.
In 2010, Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation was founded in Seattle, Washington. We strategically partnered with the Center for Childhood Cancer Research and Dr. Michael Jensen. Ben Towne Foundation’s first contribution to the Center was for $525,000.
In 2008, our family endowed a Chair in Pediatric Neuroblastoma at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dr. Julie Park, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington and Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program Director (Hematology/Oncology Education) at Seattle Children’s Hospital was appointed to this position in July of 2008.
In 2007, a neuroblastoma specific research fund was established in Ben’s name at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The incredibly generous community of people that surrounded our family throughout Ben’s treatment and following his death contributed over $700,000 to the Ben Towne Pediatric Research Fund.
Dr. Julie Park is currently directing cutting edge research made possible by previous contributions to that research fund. She has developed a comprehensive research team that is seeking to identify and understand molecular pathways important in the development of neuroblastoma, as well as how the immune system works to control cancer cells. The ultimate goal is to translate laboratory findings into novel therapies for children with neuroblastoma. Dr. Michael Jensen and the Center for Childhood Cancer Research are key collaborators in this endeavor. Other contributors include Dr. Carla Grandori, Dr. James Olson and Dr. Stanley Riddell.
For more information, please email us at info@bentownefoundation.org
