A gala to fight cancer in Arizona

Event: American Cancer Society Game Changer Gala  
 
Location: The Clayton House event venue, Scottsdale, Arizona 
 
Date: March 2024 
 
Our involvement: Exact Sciences served as a sponsor. The event’s theme of “Hope in the Garden” underscored the importance of cancer screening and making screening available to all. 
 
Amount raised: Nearly $400,000 to fight cancer, with a portion designated to fund cancer screening programs in underserved Arizona communities. 
 
Memorable moment: Dustin Deener, an instrument and automation services manager on the Exact Sciences Phoenix team, has attended the gala two years in a row. He recalls: “This is an emotional event filled with inspiring stories. This year’s event featured a speaker who, in a surprise moment last year, shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer just four days earlier. That moment shocked everyone in the room. This year, she came back and gave an update on her progress toward remission. Her story highlights the resilience, courage, and strength of people facing cancer and the importance of community support around them.  

“Events like these not only raise awareness and funds but also serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for everyone involved in the fight against cancer. For me, as someone who works in the lab at Exact Sciences, these stories serve as a powerful reminder of the significance of our work.  

“Lab work can be an eventful rollercoaster, and the bustle can cause a disconnect from the patients we serve. Hearing patient stories reignites my passion and connection with what we do here at Exact Sciences every day. It’s moments like these that remind us of the human stories behind the science and the importance of our collective efforts to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.”