Letter from the President

I am in a unique position. Almost daily as chairman of SWOG and president of The Hope Foundation, I directly experience the impact that the Foundation has on advancing SWOG’s mission of treating and preventing cancer, and of bettering the lives of those living with the disease. Through the Foundation’s efforts to weave philanthropic support together with federal dollars from the National Cancer Institute, it is clear to me that The Hope Foundation plays a seminal role for the Southwest Oncology Group.

The Foundation was formed in 1992 with the sole mission of supporting the important endeavors of SWOG that were not funded by federal research grants. This focus has allowed the Group to continue leading the valuable educational and professional development initiatives that make SWOG what it is: one of the nation’s largest and most successful cooperative oncology groups. By providing career development support to young investigators, sponsoring investigator-iniatied research, subsidizing continuing medical education opportunities for members, and assisting with funding and grants management for various committees, The Hope Foundation enables SWOG to thrive during this era of dwindling federal funds.

As budget restrictions at the National Institutes of Health continue to cut deeply and directly into SWOG’s clinical research funds, the role of philanthropy has become more important than ever before. I extend my personal thanks to each person and organization that contributes to The Hope Foundation. Each dollar invested in The Hope Foundation is directly invested in the programs outlined here… all of which advance SWOG’s essential work.

Laurence H. Baker, DO
President, The Hope Foundation
Chair, Southwest Oncology Group