Bartell’s, P&G support cancer research during Breast Cancer Awareness month

Throughout October, Bartell Drugs and Procter & Gamble are partnering with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to fund lifesaving breast cancer research, raise awareness, and recognize women and men who have faced or are facing breast cancer.

Athlete, advocate, and two-time cancer survivor Michelle McGree was first diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago at the age of 28. Her choice to have a double mastectomy gave her a less than 5% chance of having a recurrence, but four years later, the cancer was back. This time, the diagnosis was more advanced, and the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. Because of research, doctors had a new treatment — one that wasn’t available just a few years ago.

“I remember my oncologist telling me he had something for my treatment,” said McGree. “The word option was an absolute game-changer.” She took a recently developed drug for almost a year and a half and is now a dedicated patient advocate who is continuing her life and goals eight years past her original diagnosis.

Gold-standard cancer research with the funding for Fred Hutch to make it possible are what make new and better treatments possible — for McGree and for millions of patients and families.

“Cancer doesn’t define people, nor does it discriminate. Fred Hutch is an outstanding organization that is driven by the needs of patients and their families – and directly aligns with Bartell’s mission to provide exceptional service that advances health, happiness and wellbeing,” Hannah Kubiak, Bartell Drugs communication manager said. “With the support of P&G, we’re pleased to partner with Fred Hutch. For more than 40 years, this premier scientific organization, located right here in Seattle, has been a leader in breakthrough cancer research.”