During a recent trip to Salt Lake City, I visited one of my favorite places: The Coffee Shop at Little America Hotel. An older gentleman took the stool next to mine and asked where I was from. I told him I was from Texas and then asked about his home. He responded that he was from Elko, Nevada, an area I knew quite well from my early years as a truck driver.
Soon we were talking about work, families, even politics—and I found I’d made a new friend. I then inquired as to why he was in Salt Lake.
"I am here to be treated for my cancer."
That moment, my heart sank. My thoughts about the lines on his face told me they had more to do with sleepless nights and worry than his line of work. He seemed to sense my concern and told me, "It’s quite advanced, but I have the best care in the world. I am being treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute." He shared his confidence in the care team at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and how their efforts give him hope.
I could almost see my father, a smile across his face as he used to talk about the strength and encouragement he received by visiting patients at HCI, as it "helped reset his bearings and priorities."
This past year, HCI has experienced phenomenal growth, worldwide support, new groundbreakings, and additions such as the Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers. But bricks and mortar can be duplicated and rebuilt. What can’t be purchased is the creativity and intellect of our researchers, the cutting-edge skills and collaboration of our doctors and surgeons, the compassion and care of our nurses and medical personnel, and the leadership and devotion of our administrators.
At the end of the day, it’s about people caring for people to make society a little better than what it otherwise would be—to focus and make well that greatest of gifts, life itself. Thank you.
Peter R. Huntsman
Chairman and CEO
Huntsman Cancer Foundation