Blinns’ Gift Annuity to Support Research

Twenty years ago, Kathleen Blinn was in the kitchen of the Cape May, New Jersey, bed and breakfast she owned and operated with her husband George when she heard a commercial for Fox Chase Cancer Center. “They said ‘we hope you’ll never need us; but if you do, we’ll be here,’ and it stuck with me. I’ve never been able to forget it,” Kathleen shared of her first Fox Chase encounter—long before George would be diagnosed with kidney cancer. When that time came in 2017, the Blinns began researching cancer centers and the commercial resonated in her mind again. After learning about the renowned reputation of surgeon Robert G. Uzzo, MD, FACS, the choice was obvious.

Following surgery with Dr. Uzzo, George qualified for a clinical trial at Fox Chase with medical oncologist Matthew R. Zibelman, MD. The immunotherapy trial utilized a novel drug combination to treat George’s cancer. Early in the trial, the Blinns were elated to learn that the tumors were responding to the therapy. They are appreciative that this innovative therapy has given George the best chance of long-term survival and hope that it will be approved by the FDA for future patients.

In 2018 the Blinns decided to give back to Fox Chase in a significant way. They established a charitable gift annuity at Fox Chase that would support kidney cancer research. “It benefits the patients, the doctors, the scientists, and you as the donor. We could rest assured knowing where our money would go before we pass.”

The Blinns are extremely grateful to Fox Chase for the compassionate care they received from every member of their team. “It’s hard to take in everything. Fox Chase gently walked us through,” they said while reflecting on their experience. “Our social worker, Holly (Riggs, MSW, LSW), escorted us to our appointments and stayed with us the whole time.” The Blinns also noted the support they received from Beth Corcoran, CRNP, a nurse practitioner in Fox Chase’s psychiatry department, who helped alleviate the emotional toll of the disease and treatment-related side effects.

Today the Blinns are excited that their philanthropy will make a difference in the future of kidney cancer treatment.