The Rivkin Center’s Babs Fisher Valor Award is an annual honor given by the pioneering Seattle ovarian cancer research organization to recipients who have embraced the mission and helped advance the state of research into earlier detection and a cure. At this year’s Rivkin Center Gala Auction, the award was given to Keller Rohrback partner Derek Loeser and his wife Dr. Katie Van Kessel for what the organization characterizes as “their tireless advocacy and leadership.” And in fact, the giving example set by the pair led years ago to Keller Rohrback’s proud role as a sustaining donor. 

The vital work performed by the Rivkin Center, stated in its mission as finding “an end to ovarian cancer within our lifetimes,” takes on a disease that is notoriously difficult to diagnose in early stages, and for which the five-year survival rate is 47%. The organization, in which Dr. Van Kessel currently serves on the Board of Directors, began as a tribute to Dr. Saul Rivkin’s wife Marsha, a mother of five daughters who was lost to the disease in 1993, and it has raised more than $15 million for innovative research since its inception. 

There is a personal connection driving Derek and Katie’s and the firm’s support of the Rivkin Center Derek Loeser's mother Susan Dearborn died from ovarian cancer in 2009 after years of extraordinary care from Dr. Rivkin and the Rivkin Center. Derek notes “We’re really grateful for what Dr. Rivkin and his nurses and staff did for my mom, and we’re very devoted to the organization as a result.”

Keller Rohrback is honored to support the Rivkin Center, and salutes Derek Loeser and Dr. Katie Van Kessel for their continuing commitment to the Center’s goals. Anyone who was unable to attend the Gala but would like to consider donating may do so here.