Cancer center receives large donation

Published on
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old

A family has pledged $10 million to the Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center, which is the single largest contribution in the center’s history.

The gift comes from the Hadley and Marion Stuart Foundation, led by two of the Stuarts’ children, Nan and Brett Stuart of Longmont, Colo., and nearly doubles operational funds for the center. The donation also completes the funding of two endowed academic chairs, the university said in a press release.

Dr. Nicole Ehrhart, a surgical oncologist at the CSU Flint Animal Cancer Center, provides a patient named Berkley with a checkup following limb amputation to successfully treat osteosarcoma. (Courtesy of Colorado State University)

In 1983, the late E. Hadley Stuart first brought one of his Golden Retrievers to CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences for cancer care. Since then, the Stuart family has provided nearly $22 million toward cancer research and clinical treatment of naturally occurring cancers in dogs, including this most recent donation.

Opened in 2002, the Animal Cancer Center houses the world’s largest group of scientists studying cancer in pets, according to CSU, with more than 100 faculty clinicians, staff members, and veterinary students. The center books about 6,000 appointments per year and provides an additional 3,000 consultations by phone and email. Collaborations with the National Cancer Institute and University of Colorado Cancer Center, among others, demonstrate the relevance of the center’s work to human cancer as well.

The Hadley and Marion Stuart Foundation was established by heirs to the founder of Carnation Milk Products Co., a family dairy turned industry-leading food company best known for its condensed milk. Nestlé acquired Carnation in 1985.

Nan Stuart’s interest in cancer research in dogs stems from one of her Golden Retrievers, Keester, who developed neurofibrosarcoma in a forelimb. A CSU team developed a radiation protocol and rehabilitation plan that reduces pain for the 8-year-old dog.

Keester and Stuart’s other Golden Retrievers are award-winning service dogs that are trained to perform emergency rescues from swift water and ice. Stuart’s dogs have helped to train thousands of emergency responders through Code 3 Associates, a nonprofit Stuart founded to provide professional animal disaster response and training.

The Stuart family has had three other dogs treated at the center for hemangiosarcoma, Nan Stuart said.

Related JAVMA content:

Taking on cancer (Jan. 15, 2014)