The Dana-Farber Campaign is one of the largest and most successful fundraising campaigns focused entirely on cancer.
Our community is grateful for the 900,000+ individuals and groups who contributed their time, talent, and resources.
Please join us in celebrating each and every endeavor to Defy Cancer.
Thank You.
Because you believe in us, support us, and invest in us, together we have made stunning leaps forward in diagnosing, treating, and understanding cancer.
The Dana-Farber Campaign came to a successful close on Sept. 30, 2024, after nearly a million people in all 50 states and 117 countries donated a record-breaking $2.5 billion to defy cancer. The result? Nothing short of world-changing: paradigm-shifting research, increased access to equitable care, novel treatments, new world-class facilities, additional clinical trials, and many ambitious initiatives that lessen the burden of cancer for patients and their families here and around the globe. The seven-year Dana-Farber Campaign was one of the largest fundraising efforts ever in the U.S. devoted entirely to cancer.
Support from the Campaign has facilitated:
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Patient volume has grown by 51% since 2017. We are helping more people Defy Cancer.
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FDA approval for the first epigenetic drug to treat solid tumors.
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Our fifth consecutive Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
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We’ve more than doubled the size of our Cancer Care Equity Program.
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The Centers for Early Detection and Interception is a first-of-its-kind integrated clinic to detect precancerous conditions.
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Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) tools that could facilitate delivery of precision medicine at scale.
A Message from our Chair
and Vice Chair of The Dana-Farber Campaign
With your help, we have built on the incredible scientific revolution that is underway at Dana-Farber, a revolution that is already fundamentally changing the impact of cancer in our lifetimes. Our community’s dedication to revolutionary science and extraordinary care is leading and changing the trajectory of treatment worldwide and providing incredible momentum for the future. We believe that, together, we are Defying Cancer. Thank you.
Michael R. Eisenson Chair, The Dana-Farber Campaign Trustee, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Founding Partner and Managing Director, Charlesbank Capital Partners
Monica Chandra Vice Chair, The Dana-Farber Campaign Trustee, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute President, 3EDGE Asset Management
A Message from our President and CEO
& President and CEO Emerita
Because of you The Dana-Farber Campaign was the most successful in the Institute’s history, and one of the most successful ever focused solely on cancer. Never before has there been so much hope for a future without cancer.
Looking ahead, we are dedicated to building on what you have made possible for our patients and their families. Together, we have tremendous momentum. With the launch of our collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the proposed future inpatient cancer hospital, cutting-edge cancer research underway, and your incredible dedication to Dana-Farber, our reach and progress will expand in ways we have only begun to imagine.
Thank you for your incredible dedication. Together, we are defying cancer.
Benjamin L. Ebert, MD, PhD President and CEO, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Director, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Laurie H. Glimcher, MD President Emerita, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Richard and Susan Smith Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
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The campaign inspired more than 2.3 million gifts from 928,000 donors, including 1.5 million gifts of under $100 from Jimmy Fund supporters and fundraisers.
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The largest single contributor to the campaign was the Pan-Mass Challenge, giving $425 million raised via 2.2 million gifts since 2017.
Defyverb
de. fy | di-’fīdefied; defyingtransitive verbto challenge; to do something consideredimpossible; to dare
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total donors.
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gifts under $100.
gifts above $5 million.
new patient care facilities.
new centers and programs.
stronger and more united community.
Early Detection & Interception
When we can detect cancer early, we have a greater chance of treating and curing that cancer. That’s why we created the Centers for Early Detection and Interception. Specifically for individuals who have an increased risk of developing cancer, this integrated clinical and research program aims to detect cancer sooner and stop pre-cancerous conditions from progressing. Learn more about our vision and goals to transform cancer care.
When we can detect cancer early, we have a greater chance of treating and curing that cancer.
That’s why we created the Centers for Early Detection and Interception. Specifically for individuals who have an increased risk of developing cancer, this integrated clinical and research program aims to detect cancer sooner and stop pre-cancerous conditions from progressing.
Like most scientists, I like solving puzzles. And there has always been something puzzling to me about oxygen. Oxygen is the lifeblood of living organisms. And although we need it to survive, too much can be toxic. For years, my colleagues and I studied how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. This puzzle was complicated, like most basic research. But we kept at it, knowing it was only a matter of time before we broke through and learned enough to translate our discoveries to help patients. And we were right. Today, our findings have implications for treating a variety...
Like most scientists, I like solving puzzles. And there has always been something puzzling to me about oxygen. Oxygen is the lifeblood of living organisms. And although we need it to survive, too much can be toxic. For years, my colleagues and I studied how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. This puzzle was complicated, like most basic research. But we kept at it, knowing it was only a matter of time before we broke through and learned enough to translate our discoveries to help patients.
And we were right. Today, our findings have implications for treating a variety of diseases, including anemia, heart attacks, strokes—and cancer. When I won the Nobel Prize for that research, I was thrilled—thrilled that our efforts were now helping patients, thrilled for all of my mentors, trainees, and collaborators over the years who made the work possible, and thrilled to celebrate this moment with people who mean so much to me.
I also share this honor with my late wife, Carolyn.
Carolyn was a Dana-Farber faculty member and the founding director of the Comprehensive Breast Health Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her patients loved her, because she was the type of doctor who would call her patients back after she put the children to bed—even if it was 10:00 pm.
Then, this leader in the treatment of breast cancer—was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through her treatment, Carolyn continued her research and advocacy for patients and spent time with our two children.
In 2010, Carolyn was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the deadliest of brain cancers, unrelated to her previous breast cancer. She passed away in 2015. She was a pioneer, my partner, my hero, my inspiration … and my best friend.
Her determination continues to inspire me. Because determination is what it takes to solve the hardest puzzles—ones we continue to tackle every day at Dana-Farber. Today, we are close to many breakthroughs in cancer treatment. They will happen. With persistence, vision, and the power of a diverse ecosystem of collaborators, we will get there. You can find all of that here at Dana-Farber, a place I’m happy to call home.
— William G. Kaelin Jr., MD Nobel Laureate in Medicine, 2019 Researcher, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Sidney Farber Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
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Cancer Care Equity Program
We know that progress against cancer is meaningful only if everyone is included and no community is left behind. Despite enormous advances in cancer research, prevention, and treatment, some local communities in and around Boston still bear a disproportionate burden of cancer occurrence and mortality. While the roots of these health differences are complex and often interrelated, fragmented and uncoordinated access to healthcare remains a critical factor. As an international leader in cancer research and care, Dana-Farber has an obligation to ensure the world-class care we offer reaches everyone who needs it. For over a decade, under the leadership of...
We know that progress against cancer is meaningful only if everyone is included and no community is left behind. Despite enormous advances in cancer research, prevention, and treatment, some local communities in and around Boston still bear a disproportionate burden of cancer occurrence and mortality. While the roots of these health differences are complex and often interrelated, fragmented and uncoordinated access to healthcare remains a critical factor. As an international leader in cancer research and care, Dana-Farber has an obligation to ensure the world-class care we offer reaches everyone who needs it.
For over a decade, under the leadership of Dr. Christopher Lathan and Nurse Director Ludmila Svoboda, RN, MSN, MA, OCN, ACS-LION the CCEP has significantly improved clinical access for local communities at risk of delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The CCEP team navigates patients through complexities of the healthcare system and mitigates potential barriers to care, such as financial insecurity, language and cultural differences, and distrust of providers. At the center of CCEP’s model are community-focused patient navigators who build trusting relationships with patients and their loved ones and work with them to mitigate any potential barriers to care. In addition to an innovative patient navigation program within Dana-Farber, through CCEP, Dana-Farber faculty and staff regularly travel to neighborhoods in Boston to host cancer diagnostic clinics. In addition to increasing access to care, Dana-Farber’s investment in the CCEP drives increased representation of local communities in medical and scientific research.
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“Your steadfast support makes so much possible today and creates a foundation for the transformational discoveries and breakthroughs of tomorrow. Thank you.”
– Benjamin L. Ebert, MD, PhD, President and CEO,
Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
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Founded in Boston in 1947, Dana-Farber is a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a federally designated Comprehensive Cancer Center that develops and disseminates innovative patient therapies and scientific discoveries throughout the world. About Our Patient Stories: Dana-Farber shares patient stories which may include descriptions of actual medical results. Dana-Farber provides personalized care for each patient based on their unique needs; their experiences and results will vary.
At Dana-Farber we are committed to an inclusive community where human differences are valued and celebrated, and where all are welcome. We work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where each patient, family, and staff member feels valued and respected.
