THE FOUNDATION AND THE INSTITUTE
Q: What is the Huntsman Cancer Foundation?
A: The Huntsman Cancer Foundation (HCF) gives a Reason to Hope® to cancer patients and their families around the world. HCF is a non-profit organization dedicated to maximizing resources to support the research, education, and treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hospital. We rely on the generosity of individuals, corporations, community groups, and other organizations to help us reach our fundraising goals. The Foundation office is in Salt Lake City, Utah, minutes from the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hospital.
Q: Doesn’t the Huntsman family fund the entire hospital and institute?
A: Huntsman Cancer Foundation receives generous funding from the Huntsman family, including $225 million to build and seed the institute and hospital. One family simply cannot do it alone. In order to sustain the great work of Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Foundation seeks donations to advance cancer research, education, and treatment programs.
Q: Is Huntsman Cancer Foundation a registered charity?
A: Yes. Huntsman Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization and has 501(c)(3) status. The Huntsman Cancer Foundation is a tax-exempt organization providing financial support to Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hospital at the University of Utah.
VOLUNTEERING
Q: How can I volunteer?
A: Huntsman Cancer Foundation enlists the help of thousands of volunteers each year. Ambassadors assist in administrative tasks, volunteer at off-site events like golf tournaments and runs, and participate with the Hometown Heroes program by fundraising and training for endurance events. Become an ambassador. Find out how to volunteer with patients in the Huntsman Cancer Hospital. You can also raise funds for us while training for a 5K, marathon, half marathon, or any other event by becoming a Hometown Hero.
DONATIONS
Q: How do I make a financial contribution to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation?
A: There are many ways to give.
By Phone: Please call (801) 584-5816 and indicate you’d like to make a donation by credit card over the phone.
By Mail: Please make check payable to “Huntsman Cancer Foundation” and mail to 500 Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108. Include your full name and address so we can send the correct tax information.
On-line: To donate on-line, simply click on our online form.
Stocks, Wills, Bequests: For more information about major giving opportunities, trusts and bequests, please contact our Executive Director of Development, (801) 584-5807.
Companies: To get your company involved, please contact our Director of Communication, Outreach and Development, (801) 584-5808.
Q: How does Huntsman Cancer Foundation use my donation?
A: Your donation will go directly toward cancer research, education, and treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hospital. Through your generous support, we can ease suffering and save lives while continuing our groundbreaking cancer research. We welcome gifts to all areas of cancer research, especially to our unrestricted fund which supports areas of greatest need.
Q: Is my gift tax-deductible?
A: Yes. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Q: When is my donation not 100% tax-deductible?
A: Your donation is not 100% tax-deductible when goods or services were received in exchange for your donation. An example of this would be the acceptance of concert tickets with a donation. The value of the concert tickets is subtracted from the donation amount.
Q: What are my opportunities for recognition?
A: Naming opportunities are available to recognize gifts in amounts ranging from $150 (on our Online Annual Report) to gifts that exceed $1 million. Recognition on donor scrolls placed in the Institute and Hospital begins at $2,500. If you would like to learn more about opportunities to name a space at Huntsman Cancer Institute or hospital, contact our Executive Director of Development, (801) 584-5807.
Q: I can only make a small gift. Will this make a difference?
A: YES. Every gift is important to the mission of Huntsman Cancer Foundation, regardless of the amount. Every person is able to help in some way and the collection of that financial help makes a real difference. Find out how to become an ambassador and volunteer your time also.
Q: Can I donate clothing, toys, or blankets?
A: No. At this time, our greatest need is to fund cancer research through dollars. If you are looking to donate clothing, blankets, or toys, Primary Children’s Medical Center Foundation (PCMCF) will accept NEW items. Donations to PCMCF can be made by calling (801) 588-3675.
Q: Can I donate paintings or sculpture?
A: Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Fine Art Advisory Board facilitates the display of art in healing areas of our hospital and institute. For more information on making a gift of art, contact Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Q: Can I donate a car or other gifts in kind?
A: As of June, 2008, Huntsman Cancer Foundation DOES accept donated cars. Please donate that car, boat, yacht, truck, aircraft, or RV that you no longer need to support cancer research benefiting cancer patients everywhere! Receive the maximum legal tax deduction for your donation. Huntsman Cancer Foundation will accept other gifts in kind on a case by case basis. For more information, please call (801) 584-5800.
Q: Can I donate hair?
A: Huntsman Cancer Foundation recommends all hair donations be made through Locks of Love. To learn more about donating hair visit Locks of Love.
Q: Once I make a donation, am I on your mailing list?
A: All donors are included on our mailing list; however, we gladly remove names upon request by calling (801) 584-5816 or contacting our Director of Gift Processing, (801) 584-5816. We NEVER sell our mailing list.
Q: Is my credit card donation secure?
A: We take the security of your financial information very seriously. To guard against fraud, your information is securely encrypted and automatically passed directly to the financial department for processing.
Q: How do I receive a receipt for my online donation?
A: The final step of donating online includes a confirmation that you can print. It will be e-mailed to you if you provide your e-mail address. Look for the formal tax receipt from the Huntsman Cancer Foundation in the mail within 7-10 business days from the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
Q: Where do I send my matching gift form?
A: When companies match employee donations, everyone wins. Please mail any matching gift forms, with your donation to:
Huntsman Cancer Foundation
Matching Gift Program
500 Huntsman Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
If you have questions about the Matching Gift Program, please contact our Director of Gift Processing.
Q: Can I make a donation to a specific part of the hospital, institute or program?
A: You may direct your support to one of the mission areas – research, outreach and prevention, or to a specific type of cancer being addressed by our teams of doctors and researchers. In addition, there are naming opportunities to support a specific area of the institute or hospital. For more information on these programs, please contact our Executive Director of Development.
Q: When making a memorial gift, is the amount of the gift disclosed?
A: If you make a donation in honor or memory of an individual, please provide the family’s address and we will mail a card indicating a gift was made in his or her honor. We will not mention the gift amount unless instructed otherwise. If the family of the honoree requests a total amount donated, we will provide a cumulative total from all donors; individual donation amounts are not released.
If you have questions about Memorial Gifts, please contact our Director of Gift Processing.
Q: How do I make my gift anonymous?
A: Simply check the box for “no” on “you have my permission to publish my name” on your online donation form or indicate via mail that you wish to make your gift anonymously. You can always call our gift processing office at (801) 584-5816 to indicate your wishes.
EVENTS
Q: How do events help Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hospital?
A. Events take the mission of the institute to the community and allow the public to help. Golf tournaments, for example, often provide areas of gift giving for companies to participate as well as receive recognition in the media. Running and cycling events often require a registration fee, with a portion going to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Hometown Heroes fundraise additional dollars by asking friends and family to support cancer research in honor of their run or ride. Events are a way to raise awareness of cancer issues and leverage fun into support for an important cause.
Q: How do I get involved with an existing event or find out if there is an event in my area?
A: Please see our Events Calendar to see what events are available currently. If you’d like to sign up, there is a section at the end of each event web site that directs you to contact the event organizer.
Q: How do I start an event in my area?
A: If you'd like to plan an event, please contact us in advance. What we are able to provide is listed on our Event Policy Agreement. Please read this before contacting our Manager of Events at (801) 584-5811.
Q: My company would like to sell a product and direct a portion of the sales to Huntsman Cancer Foundation. How do I do that?
A: Please read our Co-Venturer Agreement. You can also contact our Director of Outreach, Communications, and Development with further questions. We are required by the State of Utah to file each agreement with the Department of Commerce.
Q: Do you have yellow or pink wristbands?
A: The official Huntsman Cancer Institute wristband is royal blue and reads: “A Reason to Hope.” It is available in youth (small) and adult (large) sizes at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital Gift Shop or by calling (801) 584-5800. Please contact us at (801) 584-5811 for bulk rate if you would like to order a supply of wristbands for your fundraising event.
WORLD
Q: How do my dollars impact cancer research in the world?
A: Cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute impacts the community at large. Huntsman Cancer Institute is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the National Cancer Institute. Research that is published in publications like Nature and Cell are shared with researchers worldwide. Here are some recent examples of research at Huntsman Cancer Institute:
- MELANOMA: The development off the world’s first genetic testing guidelines for melanoma.
- BREAST CANCER SUBTYPE TEST: The development of a new and highly-accurate test that identifies subtypes of breast cancer in order to more accurately predict a patient’s response to treatments and to customize treatment.
- HEAD AND NECK CANCER: The discovery off a genetic mutation that causes predisposition to an inherited form of a head and neck cancer called paraganglioma.
- UNPARALLELED GENETIC RESOURCE: The Utah Population Database (UPDB) at Huntsman Cancer Institute recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. It is the largest and most complete population database in the US that is used for biomedical research. It includes information on 6.4 million individuals linked through 10 million records. Researchers use UPDB to identify and study families that have higher than normal incidence of cancer or other disease to analyze patterns of genetic inheritance, and to identify specific genetic mutations.
DIAGNOSIS
Q: Where can I get more information about my diagnosis?
A: The HOPE guide is an online resource for patients and their families: hopeguide.org. You can also call our toll-free Cancer Information Line at 1-888-HCI-2100. The Hope Guide, a guide for patients at the Huntsman Cancer Institute is our best resource.
Q: How do I make an appointment at Huntsman Cancer Institute?
A: Please call Huntsman Cancer Institute at (801) 585-0303.
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