About Us
Kathi Goertzen was a longtime co-news anchor of Seattle ABC affiliate
KOMO-TV and one of the most recognized and trusted reporters in the
business. She was a fierce advocate and
supporter of Seattle Children’s Hospital.
She died in 2012 after a 14-year struggle with recurring brain
tumors.
Originally an independent organization, the Kathi Goertzen
Foundation proudly joined Seattle Children’s Guild Association in 2016,
becoming the Friends of Kathi Goertzen Guild. Friends and family united to
support this initiative and create the wonderful guild that continues today,
which we know Kathi would wholeheartedly support. Our mission remains
unchanged: fund groundbreaking research to discover better treatments and
ultimately find cures for brain tumors and cancers in kids. All funds raised by
our guild are dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer research at Seattle
Children’s. Our goal is to support and propel cancer treatment and research so
that one day, treating childhood cancer will be no different than treating an
everyday virus.
At Seattle Children’s, a dedicated team of
research experts is committed to developing T-cell immunotherapy for children’s
cancer, aiming to improve cure rates while reducing the need for radiation and
chemotherapy. Their clinical trial for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has resulted
in a 93% complete remission rate in children with relapsed leukemia, providing hope for families affected by this
devastating disease. Seattle Children’s research team has focused
significant laboratory efforts on the discovery phase of research — targeting brain and spinal cord tumors — using genetically reprogrammed CAR
(chimeric antigen receptor) T cells. These CAR T cells are genetically
engineered to seek out proteins found only on the surfaces of cancerous cells,
allowing them to target and destroy these cells.
We are grateful for your support of the Friends
of Kathi Goertzen Guild. Our members and supporters honor Kathi’s legacy — a legacy marked by her passion and dedicated
volunteerism. Kathi’s love for community service will continue
to inspire through the Friends of Kathi Goertzen Guild. We look forward to making
a meaningful impact on kids and families affected by cancer in our community
and beyond. We are supporting something incredible and it feels really good.
We invite you to join us!
