In Loving Memory of Jeff Hugo: Celebrating a Generous Donation to Support Research at Feinberg | Back row (l to r): Traci Smith, Andy Hugo, Chris Miller, Dan Koors, Zack Christensen;
Front row (l to r): Therese Zumdahl, PA-C, Mark Agulnik, MD, Lori Christensen,
Britt Christensen, Gina Meyer, Geeta Malhotra, Carly Koelling |
On Wednesday, March 24, friends of the Jeff Hugo Foundation for Osteosarcoma Research joined Dr. Mark Agulnik, assistant professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, at the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center to celebrate the Foundation’s recent, generous contribution to Dr. Agulnik’s research at Feinberg. After declaring his sincere gratitude to the entire Foundation, Dr. Agulnik exclaimed that the tremendous support he received through this contribution went “truly above and beyond”. Dr. Agulnik congratulated Britt Christensen—the Foundation’s president and founder—along with close friends and family, for their inspiring work in loving memory of Jeff, for whom the Foundation was named. Dr. Agulnik’s research at Feinberg represents an excellent example of a collaborative, translational effort, focused on patient care benefits at the forefront. Due to the ongoing development of novel diagnostic approaches and therapeutic options for soft tissue and bone sarcomas, patients throughout Chicago continue to trust their care to talented Northwestern physician-researchers like Dr. Agulnik. The Jeff Hugo Foundation’s philanthropy in support of Dr. Agulnik’s work will further these efforts, ensuring that advances continue to be made across the field, providing hope for future generations of sarcoma patients and their families. The Jeff Hugo Foundation for Osteosarcoma Research was founded shortly after the death of Jeffrey Paul Hugo in the summer of 2009. Jeff was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone and tissue cancer, in late summer 2008. Throughout his battle with this devastating disease, Jeff maintained an optimistic and courageous attitude, refusing to let his condition dampen his spirits or the lives of those around him; his endless positivity affected everyone around him. Shared at the celebration, Britt’s account of the last year of her fiancé’s life was moving. As an outpouring of love came from a multitude of individuals supporting the young couple, Britt described how Jeff was brought to tears, not at the thought of his cancer, but instead at the realization that so many people truly cared for him. His enduring spirit continues to touch lives even after his passing, making a difference in sarcoma research and in hopes that we will someday find a cure. By: Andrea Arntsen-Harris | 
