Debbie and Mark Attanasio Announce Contribution to the Medical College of Wisconsin for Pancreatic Cancer Research, in Honor of Bob Uecker

(l-r): John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, president and CEO of the Medical College of Wisconsin; Douglas B. Evans, MD, professor of surgical oncology, chair of the Department of Surgery and the Donald C. Ausman Family Foundation Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin; William A. Hall, MD, professor of radiation oncology and surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin and medical director of radiation oncology at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center; Bob Uecker, Hall of Fame Brewers broadcaster; Mark Attanasio, owner of the Milwaukee Brewers; Joseph E. Kerschner, MD, provost and executive vice president at the Medical College of Wisconsin and The Julia A. Uihlein, MA, Dean of MCW’s School of Medicine.

Milwaukee, Sept. 6, 2024 – Yesterday, Debbie Attanasio and Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio generously pledged their support to the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) for pancreatic cancer research with a gift in honor of legendary Hall of Fame Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker.

The Attanasio’s donation was announced at a private event held on Thursday at MCW that was attended by Bob Uecker and his family, as well as members of the Brewers organization and MCW leaders, physicians and cancer researchers.

“Bob has been an incredibly important part of the Milwaukee Brewers family for decades and we’re honored to call him a friend. Debbie and I wanted to ensure that this legacy, in his name, will support patients and families now and for many years to come,” said Mark.

The gift from Debbie and Mark Attanasio follows and supports a 2022 contribution from Bob Uecker to establish the Bob Uecker Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Research at MCW. Named chairs are among the highest honor an MCW faculty member can receive, providing researchers critical funds to pursue groundbreaking discoveries and innovations. Named chairs also play a key role in attracting and retaining nationally recognized faculty to conduct their research and care for patients in Milwaukee.

“The Medical College of Wisconsin is grateful to Bob Uecker and to Debbie and Mark Attanasio for their leadership and vision in the fight against pancreatic cancer,” said John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, president and CEO of MCW. “Together, we share a common goal to eliminate cancer in our community – and beyond. Their generosity speaks to the trust they’ve placed in us to accelerate pioneering pancreatic cancer research discoveries.”

Douglas B. Evans, MD, professor of surgical oncology, chair of the Department of Surgery and the Donald C. Ausman Family Foundation Professor of Surgery at MCW, praised Debbie and Mark Attanasio for their contribution, noting the importance of philanthropy in advancing cancer research. Dr. Evans also leads MCW’s LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program and is internationally known for his expertise in treating pancreatic cancer patients.

“Our clinical trials for pancreatic cancer are leading the way in personalized medicine and curing more patients than ever before. The more we invest in research, the more patients will go on to live longer, richer lives despite their diagnosis,” said Dr. Evans. “Academic medicine delivers the best available therapies to the patients of today and provides unlimited hope for the patients of tomorrow – we’re grateful for the opportunity to have the Uecker Chair as a foundation of our pancreatic cancer program.”

According to the American Cancer Society, Wisconsin has one of the highest incidence rates of pancreatic cancer (14% of all new cancer cases) in the nation. The Society estimates that more than 1,200 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in Wisconsin this year and more than 1,000 will die of the disease.