Fred Hutch cancer care – and reputation – extend to Kitsap Peninsula and beyond

Even though it meant a long commute from his two-acre home outside Yakima, Washington, Gary Knauer knew he wanted to go to Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle when his primary care physician told him he had cancer.

“I wanted to get care at the place with the best reputation in cancer care in the country, maybe even the world,” he said. “I’ve read about the research happening at Fred Hutch and the expertise of the providers who treat cancer.”

A non-smoker and avid outdoorsman in good health, Knauer began to experience a “tickle-like” cough that stubbornly hung on for many months. His wife, Diane, pushed him to see his primary care physician, who recommended a chest X-ray, which was followed by a biopsy and a diagnosis of lung cancer.

When he received the news, he said it hit him “like a ton of bricks.”

Knauer had stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer, even though the cough had been his only symptom.

According to Fred Hutch experts, this is not uncommon, as lung cancer doesn’t often cause symptoms until it’s well beyond the initial stages. Early symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough as well as hoarseness, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Treating lung cancer takes a team

Once Knauer’s doctor put in his referral, he received a call from lung cancer oncologist Smitha Menon, MD, who works out of Fred Hutch Cancer Center - Sloan Clinic. The two discussed the additional tests he would need — which included a CT scan and endoscopy — as well as his treatment options.  

Fortunately, Knauer’s tests revealed no lymph node involvement; his treatment would involve chemotherapy and surgery only.

Knauer’s multi-disciplinary team also included Douglas Wood, MD, FACS, head of thoracic surgery at UW Medicine. He told Knauer that due to the size and location of the tumor — it was pressing against his ribs — it would be best to remove it sooner rather than later.

Knauer scheduled the surgery, which involved removing the upper lobe of his left lung. Everything went well and Knauer spent several weeks recovering. It was during his recovery that he learned Fred Hutch has a clinic on the Kitsap Peninsula in Poulsbo, Washington.

“It was a revelation,” Knauer said. “We own a house in Kingston and receiving care locally made life a lot easier for us. I needed four rounds of chemotherapy and a year-long course of immunotherapy infusions every three weeks! Being able to receive this care on the peninsula meant I could spend the night before and after treatment at my home close by and not have to drive hours back and forth between Seattle and Selah.”

Once he met Fred Hutch Peninsula Clinic medical oncologist Nadezhda (Nadia) Kholodnaya, MD, MPH, and her team, he was convinced switching his care to Poulsbo was the right choice.

“I can’t say enough good things about her and the team on the peninsula,” Knauer said. “I’ve never seen a group of people so upbeat, caring and friendly. It brings tears to my eyes even now.”

Kholodnaya was equally enthusiastic about Knauer.

“Gary is a beautiful soul who inspired our entire team,” she said. “He trusted us completely, followed through on every step of a demanding treatment course and never lost his spirit. I feel genuinely fortunate to have been part of his care. Non-small cell lung cancer at stage 3 is a serious diagnosis, and the fact that he came through it so well reflects not just the medical care he received but who he is as a person — strong, positive and full of life.”

Getting care at the Fred Hutch Peninsula Clinic

Knauer said his Peninsula care team — including schedulers and others — was helpful and that the communication was great. A year out of treatment, he said he can send a MyChart message and get a prompt response.

“That’s not the case back home in Selah,” he said.

Knauer also appreciated the supportive care services available at the Peninsula clinic, such as access to a social worker.

“That little building is a powerhouse of care,” he said. “They handled everything there. The minute I walked through the door, I felt like I belonged: they knew my name even though I only had appointments every three weeks. It felt good even though it was a tough time.”

Knauer finished all treatments related to his non-small cell lung cancer in May 2025. Chemotherapy made him feel tired and light-headed and reduced his appetite so much that he lost more than 15 pounds. That and other side effects of his treatment have since cleared up, he said. Now out of active treatment, he receives CT scans every three months. So far, there’s been no sign of cancer.

These days, the 77-year-old outdoorsman heads to the peninsula for fun rather than infusions.

“We love the quiet, laid-back community and the water and the environment,” he said.  “We plan to move here permanently in a few years.”

Two grandchildren already live there. Knauer said he and his wife regularly take their kayaks out on Liberty Bay and hike the trails around Poulsbo.

“I still think of my diagnosis every day,” he said. “I try to stay busy and keep a good attitude about life. I love living and owe it all to Dr. Kholodnaya and Dr. Wood.”

What’s his advice for other patients going through cancer?

Knauer points to a strong support system to help you get through everything, physically and mentally.

For him, that support was his wife, Diane.

“Try to be as strong as you can and keep a good mental attitude,” he said. “It’s a tough road and takes a big toll on your mind as well as your body. Just keep telling yourself you can overcome this, and there’s a good chance you may.”