Seattle couple’s giving fuels St. Jude immunology research

Walking into the research building named after the historic Inspiration4 space mission in 2021, Seattle couple Chris and Margery Yetman saw signs of creativity and collaboration right away.

At the Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center on the Memphis campus of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Yetmans saw scientists gathered around large windows writing formulas on the glass, working out the mechanics of the experiments they were attempting. They were gathered around tables in wide landings and lobbies as well, sharing what they’ve learned — and the answers they continue to seek — in their work to better understand cancer and other catastrophic diseases in children.

The Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center, which opened in April 2021, can accommodate up to 1,000 employees focused on what the hospital calls “transformative science” — that is, lab study that translates to better understanding of disease which can lead to more effective treatment in clinics and, ultimately, cures. 

The space was intentionally designed for collaboration across many scientific fields, including developmental neurobiology, immunology and cell and molecular biology. It is home to specialized technology for conducting computational biology, using artificial intelligence, gene editing and some of the world’s most advanced microscopes. It is also home to a bank of tumor samples for sharing with researchers anywhere. 

Over 60 years, strategic investments like the Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center have helped St. Jude remain at the forefront of care and research for childhood catastrophic diseases.

That's what inspired the Yetmans last year to help fund the immunology facilities. They committed to give $500,000 to support the work conducted in these spaces which can contribute to other departments like neurobiology or pathology. 

Other labs rely on the microscopes in immunology to understand what is going on inside cancer cells and tumors. Even though the immune system can prevent or slow cancer growth, cancer cells have ways to avoid destruction by the immune system. One of the ways these microscopes are used is to help scientists see what’s going on inside the cells of the immune system so they can develop ways for the immune system to find, and hopefully destroy, tumors.

“For us, we wanted to give to a cause that really moves the needle on solving health outcomes and survival rates. Not just incremental improvements, but something meaningful, and it’s great to visit St. Jude and see how passionate and enthusiastic these scientists are about the work they’re doing,” said Chris Yetman. 

The Yetmans were so moved to give that they’ve also made arrangements to leave half of their Donor Advised Fund to St. Jude by creating an endowment through their estate plan. 

Margery said she was particularly inspired to give because of their own experience as young parents with a daughter who was ailing from a rare genetic disorder. As a baby, their youngest child was in and out of hospitals with mysterious symptoms that took months to diagnose and has required a lifetime to treat and manage. 

The Yetmans remember the uncertainty and worry in those early days and empathize with the experience of families of children diagnosed with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

“I know what it’s like and it was really important to us to give to a place that takes care of families like St. Jude does, that supports the children and their parents during such difficult times,” Margery said.