Old Fashioneds, New Research: Garding Against Cancer’s Wisco-Themed Fundraiser

Call it a Wisconsi-night — more than 600 Wisconsinites, gathered at a sold-out “supper club” at Madison’s Kohl Center, hearing from coaches of the Badgers and Packers. 
 
And raising money to help UW Carbone Cancer Center continue its life-saving work. 
 
The Garding Against Cancer fundraising event in May generated nearly $900,000 for the cancer center’s research and patient care initiatives.  
 
An creation of UW mens basketball Coach Greg Gard and his wife, Michelle, Garding Against Cancer raises funds and awareness for cancer research and care in Wisconsin. It launched in 2016 in memory of Gard’s father, who passed after a six-month battle with brain cancer.  
 
Garding Against Cancer events have raised $7.5 million for cancer work. The May signature gathering featured a supper club theme. Prime rib and fried perch headlined the dinner menu, with grasshopper tarts for dessert and old fashioneds to sip. Green Bay Packers Coach Matt LaFleur made an appearance, along with local country band Madison County, amid stories of UW Carbone Cancer Center’s groundbreaking work. 
 
Exact Sciences served as an event sponsor, with several of our team attending in support. 
 
Josh Knackert, a senior medical education and grant specialist, remembered feeling energized by UW Carbone’s efforts on behalf of current and future cancer patients. 

“Our organizations’ shared vision — of more patient milestones, more years, and, ultimately, a world without cancer — was in clear focus” at the event, Knackert said.  
 
“The stories shared that evening truly showed the amazing care Carbone provides to cancer patients of all ages,” he said. “Even more, they inspired me to innovate with my Exact peers to bring new and expanded cancer screening technology to patients so that we can detect more cancers even earlier.”