Russel Hill Cancer Foundation supports HudsonAlpha’s cancer research and Information is Power initiative with a donation of more than $70,000.

By Lillie Mermoud

Over 2 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year, and in Alabama alone, 30,000 people a year receive a cancer diagnosis. Among cancer diagnoses, breast cancer is the most common, affecting nearly 300,000 Americans a year. 

The Russel Hill Cancer Foundation’s mission is to help fight cancer in the organization’s community in North Alabama. By providing assistance to patients and families struggling with cancer and funding cancer research programs and supporting cancer education programs, the organization has been bringing hope and improving the health of people across North Alabama.

HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology has been honored to receive support from Russel Hill for several years, helping to grow the Institute’s cancer research programs, as well as the Information is Power initiative, a project that provides genetic testing for cancer risk to thousands of Alabamians. When Russel Hill learned that the Institute was in need of new equipment for its cancer research lab and had plans to expand Information is Power, the organization knew that its support could help make a difference in Alabama and beyond.

A community-driven approach

Russel Hill Cancer Foundation was founded by a group of oncologists, researchers, and concerned citizens who wanted to do more to support cancer patients, their families, and the North Alabama community. 

From helping cancer patients cover medical and utility bills to supporting cutting-edge cancer research programs and investing in organizations that provide cancer testing and awareness, the organization has raised over $3.3 million and poured those funds back into organizations like HudsonAlpha.

Emily Davis, Executive Director of Russel Hill Cancer Foundation, and the Russel Hill Board of Directors have been champions of HudsonAlpha’s cancer research and Information is Power initiative for many years. Russel Hill consistently supports HudsonAlpha’s research on breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and other cancers, aided with the purchase of vital laboratory equipment and technology, and provided support for local Information is Power genetic testing events. 

Russel Hill’s Board of Directors recently awarded HudsonAlpha with a $70,368 gift, with $50,000 supporting the Information is Power program and the remaining $20,368 directed towards the purchase of a new cell culture hood in the lab of Faculty Investigator Sara Cooper, PhD.

“We are proud to have supported HudsonAlpha for many years. A big part of our mission at Russel Hill is supporting cancer research, and our focus is on staying local,” said Davis. “We love partnering with the Institute because it allows us to support research being done right here in North Alabama and because Information is Power has done incredible work serving our community.”

Fighting for answers and improved access to resources

Dr. Cooper, who oversees the Information is Power program in addition to working as Faculty Investigator at the Institute, and Kristy Bell, have been working to expand the reach of the Information is Power program. With support from the Russel Hill Foundation, they will pursue new partnerships and promote testing in our North Alabama Community. 

Information is Power empowers individuals to receive genetic cancer risk screening for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, as well as other genes associated with breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, pancreatic, and other types of cancer. Since its launch in 2015, Information is Power has administered more than 6,200 tests, imparting life-changing information to those who have participated.

Information is Power launched in 2015 serving residents of North Alabama. It has grown to  other areas of our state but we are committed to keeping our program available and accessible in North Alabama. Through partnership with local minority serving organizations like Alabama A&M University, Links, Inc. of Greater Huntsville, and others across the state like Rural Health Medical Program, the initiative has made cancer genetic screening more accessible and minority enrollment has more than doubled over the last year.

Russel Hill’s gift also supports HudsonAlpha’s cancer research program, which aims to use genomic technology to further our understanding of patient response to treatment and advance precision oncology. Russel Hill’s funds will be used for the purchase of a new cell culture hood, which provides a state-of-the-art, sterile environment for cell culture experiments critical to advancing research goals. Researchers in Cooper’s lab use cells derived from cancerous tissues to investigate cancer biology, understand why certain cancers are resistant to treatment, and gain insights into the underlying genetic mechanisms of cancer.

“Russel Hill’s consistent support has made a significant impact on our ability to find answers in the lab that can impact cancer diagnosis and patient care. Their willingness to provide funding for our pilot programs and equipment needs makes it easier for us to make discoveries and successfully seek additional funding for our work,” said Dr. Cooper. “Their support of Information is Power reduces barriers to testing for North Alabama’s residents and supports our education and awareness programs throughout our community. Our emphasis on working with underserved communities is just one way we are working to reduce the impact of cancer in our community.”