For 3-time Emmy winner Jean Smart, Seattle is more than a setand guest-starring role on “Frazier.” Smart grew up in Ballard and graduated from the University of Washington. This May, as part of National Brain Cancer Awareness month, Smart will headline two major events for the Seattle-based Chris Elliott Fund (CEF) including the launch of a new charity wine label with Sinclair Estate Vineyards (SEV) in Walla Walla, May 27 and 28, and CEFʼs 10th Anniversary Brains Matter Awareness Auction Luncheon at the Bellevue Hyatt on Thursday.

Increasing patient education and brain cancer treatments have been apriority for Smart since her sister, Georgia Smart, died from the disease in January 2010.

“When I learned my sister was diagnosed with brain cancer I was filled with fear and didn’t know what to think about the disease,” said

Smart. “There were so few treatment options for my sister. What I now know is we have to bring brain cancer out of the shadows and illuminate it with light, science and optimism. Itʼs the only way to find a cure in our lifetime.”

“Jeanʼs passion for fighting this disease is extraordinary,” says Dellann Elliott, president and CEO of the Chris Elliott Fund, “Sheʼs been very hands-on serving as a CEF board member, producing public service ads, traveling and speaking out about this disease as an advocate for more treatment options and research. Like Jean, I believe we can find a cure for brain cancer if more research and resources are targeted at the disease.”

More than 22,000 Americans are diagnosed with a malignant brain cancerevery year. It is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for childrenunder 19.

Event information is available here.