The Ultimate Gift: Legacy to Life Program
Read Time: 4 minutes
Many significant decisions are made throughout a lifetime鈥攆rom relationships to careers, where to live and which dreams to follow. Of these choices, some have broad and long-lasting effect, far beyond our individual experiences. This is true of the Legacy to Life Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Metastatic spreading of the disease is, by far, the most common reason why people die of breast cancer. 鈥淲e are trying to understand how these tumors that spread throughout the body cause death and why they are so treatment resistant,鈥 says , senior director of basic science at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of oncological sciences at the . To study this, Welm and her team examine cancerous tissues in the lab. They can grow tumors that mimic the environment inside a human body to test new drugs. They also grow tissue in mice models to study how cancer spreads. These models accurately reflect treatment response in humans, which has allowed researchers to evaluate a patient鈥檚 therapy in real time, help determine the risk of recurrence, and better understand why and how metastasis occurs.
鈥淲e cannot collect these tissues while a patient is alive because they are not usually taken out of metastatic sites such as the brain, liver, or lung,鈥 Welm explains. 鈥淎lthough cancer patients are not eligible for traditional organ donation after death, they can donate tissues for cancer research. Through the Legacy to Life Program, this happens in the form of a regular autopsy.鈥
Kim Ulmer was a landscape designer, a wife, and a mom of four. In 2009, she found a lump in her breast. When doctors confirmed it was cancer, she opted for a double mastectomy. A testament to her personal drive and determination, Kim ran a half marathon in 2010 after finishing chemotherapy.
鈥淲e went on and had a really nice seven years,鈥 recalls her husband, Mat, noting that together they exercised more and improved their diets. Yet in 2017, Kim felt a lump in her neck. Breast cancer had spread to a lymph node there, and also to her liver. 鈥淚n her strong, resilient way, she began to deal with it,鈥 Mat says.
Kim started a blog to keep friends informed and to process the experience. 鈥淚鈥檓 sure it was a great coping thing for her,鈥 Mat says. 鈥淪he was always very open about how things were going and what to expect. That was crucial for my kids, especially.鈥
Knowing breast cancer would likely be what took her life, Kim wanted to learn more. She attended research presentations at Huntsman Cancer Institute and also participated in the metastatic breast cancer support group. This is how she learned about the Legacy to Life Program.
Just before Christmas and a week before Kim passed away, she and Mat met with oncologist Saundra Buys, MD, and social worker Lisa Gauchay, LCSW, who helps with the planning and logistics of the Legacy to Life Program. At that time, they determined to stop treatment, and Kim and Mat signed the necessary paperwork to donate her tumor tissue for research. 鈥淚t was interesting, because we both felt really good that this was the right decision鈥攖o stop chemo and just let go.鈥
At the time of Kim鈥檚 passing, Mat contacted Lisa right away, as it is critical the autopsy process happens within a few hours.
鈥淲e were each able to take a little personal time with her as well as all together,鈥 Mat shares through tender tears. 鈥淪ome people maybe think that isn鈥檛 a great thing,鈥 Mat says about the need to have a loved one taken soon after death. 鈥淏ut we knew she wanted that. We had the time we needed with her. I was very, very gratified it worked out. We were able to fulfill that wish and feel like Kim and ourselves, our whole family, were able to help continue research. We had such a great experience with the care team at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Not only from Dr. Buys, but from staff and social workers, acupuncturists鈥hat鈥檚 a way to give back, you know? To help Huntsman Cancer Institute do even better what they already do so well.鈥
Lisa finds this sentiment to be true for all who have participated. 鈥淓ven in the midst of life鈥檚 most difficult moments, it is inspiring to see how important it is to those who are at the end of life to contribute to research and help the next generation of cancer patients. Patients and their families are gracious and lovely to interact with and inspire me to be a better social worker and person.鈥
For anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer, it is always too soon, even if there are years to prepare, and irreconcilable, even when anticipated. Of the patients and their families who make the decision to take part in the Legacy to Life Program, Welm says, 鈥淪ome people are so generous, and are very eager and happy that they are giving this precious gift to research so they can help future patients. This brings their unfortunate situation and their death some meaning. That鈥檚 really special to me.鈥
![[field.image-button-alternative-text]](/huntsmancancerinstitute/sites/g/files/zrelqx336/files/media/images/2025/kim-ulmer-jumping-expanded.jpg "鈥淲e were able to fulfill that wish and feel like Kim and ourselves, our whole family, were able to help continue research.\" 鈥擬at Ulmer")