2025 Year in Pictures

This year at Fred Hutch Cancer Center has been extraordinary — not only for the groundbreaking research and compassionate care that define our mission, but also because we marked a historic milestone: our 50th anniversary. Throughout 2025, we’ve captured moments that showcase the dedication of our colleagues, supporters and community as we care for those in our community who need our expertise and push the boundaries of cancer and infectious disease research.

We honored five decades of progress and innovation — achievements that have transformed lives around the world — and looked ahead to the next era of discovery and care. Together, we’re building on this legacy to make the next extraordinary leaps possible.

Photo of Dr. Steven Henikoff working in the ventilated hood in his lab — Dr. Steven Henikoff working in the ventilated hood in his lab. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Lab life

Work continued in our many labs this year on hundreds of projects and studies to uncover the functions that drive cancer and infectious diseases that can lead to new treatments or cures. Steven Henikoff, PhD, above, won a prestigious award from Brandeis University recognizing his “innovative and transformative studies” on gene expression.

Recognizing 50 years

This year, Fred Hutch turned the big 5-0 and celebrated all year long with stories highlighting the people and moments that have truly defined the organization. From groundbreaking science to compassionate care, Fred Hutch has spent five decades improving lives and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Photo of the Thomas Family pose for a group picture — Members of the family of Dr. E. Donnall Thomas, with his wife Dottie in the painting, pose for a photo before touring labs and facilities on our campus. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

A new name

Our outpatient complex serving more than 60,000 adult patients per year was renamed the Sloan Clinic in recognition of Stuart and Molly Sloan. Their generous support of the Campaign for Fred Hutch is expanding research that can lead to new targeted therapies for patients.

Photo of workers installing a sign on the Sloan Clinic building — New signs being installed on the Fred Hutch Sloan Clinic on our campus in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Advancing care

More than 70,000 patients received care here in our fiscal year 2025 and our clinical care teams continued to advance our efforts. We introduced artificial intelligence to improve patient visits as well as for procedures such as colonoscopies.

Photo of a group of clinical care folks taking a selfie — Members of the Procedure Suite take a seflie after receiving the Patient Safety Department Champion Award. Clinical staff were recognized for their efforts to ensure patient safety during the 2025 Patient Safety Awards breakfast in March. Photo by Connor O'Shaughnessy / Fred Hutch News Service

Sharing the work

Collaboration and respect are two of our values. That comes to life each day at Fred Hutch in all kinds of ways, from explaining a new insight to colleagues at a poster session or outlining a treatment plan for a patient.

Photo of researchers presenting posters at a seminar. — Dr. Supriya Amonkar, with the Galloway Lab, left, and Rebecca Ferreira Alves, with the Malik Lab, right, discuss their research during a poster session. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Our community participates

Fred Hutch's Obliteride included more than 5,000 cyclists, walkers, runners and volunteers for the annual fundraising bike ride and 5K walk/run.

Photo of a girl touching a large board with writing on it — Isana Kirkpatrick, 11, touches the “I Ride For…” wall during the Obliterate Party in August at Gasworks Park in Seattle. Her dad, David Kirkpatrick, rode in the 100-mile ride. Isana wrote the names of several friends and family members who have passed because of cancer or are currently diagnosed. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Thank you for your support

Throughout the year, generous support from our community added to the momentum of Fred Hutch's first 50 years of breakthroughs, fueling the next generation of groundbreaking discoveries. More than 40,000 supporters joined the Campaign for Fred Hutch.

Photo of a family of people holding a big check — When Clifford Ford Jr. won TCC’s Get10Give10 sweepstakes, he chose Fred Hutch to receive a gift in his honor. Ford, left, seen with his family. Photo by Connor O'Shaughnessy / Fred Hutch News Service

Training the next generation

Hundreds of students, teachers, providers and nurses, faculty, postdoctoral and medical fellows, participated in our education and training programs to create the next generation of scientific and clinical leaders. We also worked to ensure that our patients and caregivers have the understanding needed to navigate a diagnosis and treatment.

Photo of two people looking at a slide in a lab — Samantha Fedor, right, works with mentor Abby Parish in the Holland Lab as part of the Science Education Partnership in July. Photo by Connor O'Shaughnessy | Fred Hutch

A lifetime commitment

Many people spend decades working at Fred Hutch. Bone marrow transplant pioneer Rainer Storb, MD, spent almost two lifetimes, stepping away after more than 60 years.

Photo of people clapping in an auditorium — Dr. Rainer Storb listens to former colleagues' reflections about his legacy during the Storb Symposium on June 27, 2025. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Leading into the future

Fred Hutch's leadership navigated a challenging environment while planning for the future where cancer diagnoses are expected to increase in the United States and the Pacfic Northwest, according to estimates from the American Cancer Society.

Photo of a group of people in an outpatient clinic — Fred Hutch President Dr. Thomas J. Lynch Jr., holder of the Raisbeck Endowed Chair, second from left, with Chief Financial Officer David Browdy, center, talks with a group of visiting Washington state legislators during a tour of the Bezos Family Immunotherapy Clinic in November. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Innovations bubble up

Therapeutic genetic engineering has the potential to cure diseases, but today is limited due to the cost and complexity of delivering them to patients. Fred Hutch bioengineer Matthias Stephan, PhD, is exploring whether foam could one day turn gene therapy into an outpatient procedure.

Photo of foam — Close-up of foam designed to help deliver gene therapy. Photo from the Stephan Lab / Fred Hutch

Fond farewells

Each day, many of our patients complete their therapy and leave our clinics, hopefully for good. Throughout the year, researchers are completing a research project or clinicians finalizing a diagnosis. For a few Fred Hutch folks, this year also marked the completion of a career.

Photo of two people hugging — Former Fred Hutch COO Myra Tanita hugs Security Coordinator Anthony Jackson during his retirement celebration in April. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Most Read Articles in 2025

Here the most read articles we published on Fred Hutch News in 2025 through December 18.

Thank you for reading Fred Hutch News this year and follow our social channels for more amazing stories. And read more (or watch or listen) about our dynamic storytelling evolution.

Sign up to receive our monthly Fred Hutch newsletter.