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In mid-November, as the season of gratitude unfolded, the Dana-Farber community gathered to celebrate Richard and Nancy Lubin, the 2024 recipients of the Sidney Farber Medical Research Award (SFMRA) (pictured, right, with Institute President and CEO Benjamin L. Ebert, MD, PhD, and President Emerita Laurie H. Glimcher, MD). As the Institute’s most prestigious honor, this award highlights remarkable contributions and changemakers for cancer science and care. The Lubins, through their visionary philanthropy and unwavering commitment, have redefined what’s possible for the field of academic cancer medicine, earning their place among the other extraordinary individuals, families, and organizations honored with the SFMRA for their transformative impact on cancer care and discovery.

For over three decades, Richard has been a pillar of the Dana-Farber community, serving on the Board of Trustees, where he currently holds the position of Vice Chair. Together with Nancy, their partnership with the Institute combines business expertise, a commitment to the community, and a passion for advancing cancer research. Currently, their contributions, with support from the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation, exceed $30 million, having driven projects such as the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care and the establishment of the Richard and Nancy Lubin Family Chair and Research Fund.

The Lubin Family Chair, held by Bradley Bernstein, MD, PhD, supports his pioneering research into chromatin structure and epigenetic regulation. By delving into how these molecular mechanisms malfunction in cancer, Bernstein’s work—enabled by the Lubins’ generosity—is opening pathways to new and more effective therapies. Beyond this, Richard played an instrumental role in the historic Dana-Farber Campaign as a member of the Campaign Cabinet, where his strategic vision and influence helped amplify the Institute’s reach and impact.

In 2022, the Lubin Family Foundation Scholar Award was launched under the direction of Nobel Laureate William G. Kaelin Jr., MD, to mentor and fund some of the most promising physician-scientists in oncology, ensuring a strong future for academic research and innovation. The program has already named 12 Lubin Scholars from Dana-Farber and other prestigious institutions. This initiative reflects Richard and Nancy’s long-held commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders, ensuring a brighter future for patients and families everywhere.

Benjamin L. Ebert, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber, reflected on the legacy of the Institute’s founder Sidney Farber, MD, and the Lubins’ embodiment of his vision. “Dr. Farber never accepted the incurability and finality of cancer—and always remained hopeful about the future,” Ebert said. “These are traits Richard and Nancy exemplify in spades, and we are honored to add their legacy on these walls in perpetuity,” he continued, in reference to the SFMRA Display, located in the lobby of the Dana Building.

As the evening drew to a close, the sense of admiration for the Lubins was palpable. Reflecting on their journey, Richard and Nancy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such a vital cause. “We are deeply honored to receive this award,” Richard said. “Our partnership with Dana-Farber is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together with a shared purpose. We believe in the power of research to change lives and are committed to supporting the brilliant minds at Dana-Farber.”

The Lubins’ contributions have helped to reshape Dana-Farber’s mission, accelerating discoveries that bring tangible hope to patients and their loved ones. Their legacy is not just one of generosity but of measurable progress—a commitment to breakthroughs that will redefine cancer care for generations to come.

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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It was 65 degrees with blue skies and sunshine as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute patients and families, clinicians and scientists, and their supporters gathered for a day of hope and unity last fall at the Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. The Jimmy Fund Walk, now in its 37th year, is Dana-Farber’s signature event, raising the most money of any single-day walk in the nation. Since 1989, dedicated participants have returned to the world-famous Boston Marathon^® course to walk together against cancer. This steadfast community of support continued to train and fundraise throughout the final year of The Dana-Farber Campaign, culminating at the October 6 event which saw more than 8,400 participants raising nearly $9.4 million and propelling the Walk’s lifetime total to more than $185 million raised for revolutionary science and extraordinary care at Dana-Farber.

Participants could pick a distance along the Boston Marathon course, from a 5K to the full marathon, or walk virtually in a location of their choice. Walkers were cheered on by nearly 1,000 volunteers and drew motivation from each other and Hero posters along the course, featuring photographs and inspirational quotes from adult and pediatric patients. The Jimmy Fund Walk Finish Line presented by Schneider Electric was held in the Boston Common, the nation’s oldest public park. There, walkers shared stories of courage and progress, and celebrated with lively music, complimentary food and beverages provided by generous sponsors, and a variety of activities, including a Ribbon Wall presented by Bristol Meyers Squibb, which attendees filled with handwritten messages of hope and remembrance. The finish line program also included motivational speeches and appearances by Dana-Farber leadership, patients, and presenting sponsor Hyundai, which has supported the Walk since 2002.

Dana-Farber social worker Marsha Joselow (pictured, holding jersey) led Kessler’s Crew/PACT Pack—a team of 51 walkers—in its 26th Jimmy Fund Walk. The team was formed in memory of Richard “Rich” Kessler, Marsha’s late husband, who passed away from non-Hodgkin lymphoma 29 years ago. Kessler’s Crew/ PACT Pack walks in support of the Pediatric Advanced Care Team, or PACT, a team of clinicians who specialize in pediatric palliative care, aiming to support children with serious illnesses by promoting healing, comfort, and making childhood experiences meaningful. To date, the Kessler’s Crew/PACT Walk team has raised more than $780,000.

For Marsha, as for so many, leading a Jimmy Fund Walk team has been a healing experience. “It gave us an opportunity to do ‘something’ when we all felt nothing could take away the pain of losing Rich,” she explains. Today, Marsha continues to be inspired by the vast wave of walkers on Walk day, all touched by cancer. “The energy draws you forward.”

“I feel so fortunate to walk year after year with this extraordinary team, which includes clinicians, friends, supporters, and patient families,” Marsha reflects. “I walk to honor my late husband’s legacy, and more importantly, to support patients and their families.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Jimmy Fund Golf presented by Mohegan Sun swung into action in 2024, with volunteer tournament directors, sponsors, donors, and players from more than 140 golf tournaments across the country hitting the links to raise another incredible $6.8 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

In a year that marked the conclusion of The Dana-Farber Campaign—an ambitious, multibillion-dollar fundraising effort to change the future of cancer research and care—the Jimmy Fund Golf community showed the true power of grassroots support.

“A large part of the progress Dana-Farber has been able to make over the last decade is undoubtedly a result of this community coming together where it matters most,” says Caitlin Fink, vice president of the Jimmy Fund. “With more than $47 million raised through Jimmy Fund Golf since the start of the campaign in 2017, we’ve seen how passion and dedication can truly make a difference in our ongoing fight against cancer.”

Learn more about all 2024 tournaments.

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Dana-Farber has established the Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, Chair, an endowed position honoring the Institute’s seventh President and CEO, who stepped down October 1, 2024. This endowment celebrates Glimcher’s significant contributions to cancer science and medicine and ensures the pursuit of innovative and groundbreaking advancements in cancer research. A generous group of Trustees, colleagues, friends, and supporters contributed over $3 million to establish the chair and commemorate Glimcher’s legacy.

Glimcher, a renowned immunologist, led Dana-Farber from 2016 to 2024. Her tenure was marked by a commitment to integrating scientific discovery with clinical application, and to the philanthropic funding of these efforts through The Dana-Farber Campaign.

“Dr. Glimcher’s unwavering commitment to innovation has been a driving force behind Dana-Farber’s advancements in cancer research and patient care,” said President and CEO Emeritus Edward J. Benz Jr., MD. “Her leadership has inspired groundbreaking discoveries while fostering the culture of compassion and collaboration that is Dana-Farber’s ‘special sauce.’”

Ramesh Shivdasani, MD, PhD, a pioneering cancer biologist, is the inaugural incumbent of the Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, Chair at Dana-Farber. Such endowed positions enable the Institute to attract and retain top experts, and enable those experts to pursue high-risk, high-reward projects, by offering perpetual funding.

“Establishing an endowed chair in honor of Laurie Glimcher is a fitting tribute to her remarkable leadership and enduring contributions as President and CEO,” said President Emeritus David G. Nathan, MD. “This endowed chair ensures that her visionary spirit continues to guide and inspire future generations of researchers and clinicians, empowering them to push the boundaries of what is possible in the fight against cancer.”

Institute Trustee Alison Poorvu Jaffe and her husband, Daniel Jaffe, remarked on Glimcher’s impact: “She has been a steadfast advocate for prioritizing patient care and ensuring that Dana-Farber is accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of all populations. Her leadership and commitment have been instrumental in addressing disparities in cancer care by ensuring that all patients, regardless of their background, have access to high-quality treatment and support.”

Institute Trustee Jonathan Lavine and his wife, Jeannie Lavine, said, “We are deeply appreciative of Laurie Glimcher’s unwavering commitment to advancing preventative cancer methods. Her commitment to early detection and prevention has been instrumental in shaping innovative strategies that aim to reduce cancer risk and improve patient outcomes. Dr. Glimcher’s visionary leadership has not only strengthened Dana-Farber’s research capabilities but also underscored the importance of proactive approaches in the fight against cancer.”

Josh Bekenstein, chairman of the Board of Trustees, summed up the Institute’s gratitude this way: “Dr. Glimcher’s tenure as President and CEO has been nothing short of transformative. Her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have propelled Dana-Farber to new heights. Her ability to inspire and lead with integrity has left an indelible mark on the Institute, setting a standard of excellence that will guide us for years to come. We are profoundly grateful for her contributions and look forward to building on the strong foundation she has established.”

The establishment of this endowed chair marks a pivotal moment in Dana-Farber’s history, honoring Glimcher’s enduring influence and highlighting the vital role of philanthropy in advancing medical science. With this new endowment, and under the leadership of her successor as President and CEO, Benjamin L. Ebert, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber is poised to continue its mission of conquering cancer and improving the lives of patients worldwide.

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Gerard “Gerry” Martineau is remembered for his love of the arts, sailing, and most importantly, his family. Out of gratitude for the excellent care received by his late wife, Barbara, who passed away after a 12-year battle with cancer, Martineau left a generous bequest from his estate to support research and patient care at Dana-Farber. His gift is not only an act of generosity, but one of honor and remembrance for his wife of nearly six decades.

Funding from Martineau’s gift is a powerful catalyst for innovation, allowing Dana-Farber to allocate resources where they are needed most, and will advance the most promising investigations, encourage innovation, and help ensure that discoveries in the lab result in better clinical treatments for cancer patients all over the world.

These funds will play a critical role as Dana-Farber physician-scientists strive to develop novel ways to overcome cancer’s biggest challenges through revolutionary science. By providing essential resources, the gift will be leveraged to advance groundbreaking science across early detection, rare cancers, chemical biology, genomics, artificial intelligence, and more.

The impact of Martineau’s gift will also be felt in the Institute’s global outreach programs, which aim to improve cancer care in underserved regions. By sharing knowledge and resources, Dana-Farber helps elevate the standard of care for patients around the world, ensuring that the benefits of their research extend far beyond Boston.

His gift is not just an investment in Dana-Farber, but a commitment to an entire world without cancer.

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Nearly $2.2 million in grants from the California-based Troper Wojcicki Foundation will fund advances in a personalized anti-cancer vaccine and more effective treatments for a rare form of lung cancer.

Catherine Wu, MD, received an award to create a new, more powerful version of the NeoVax vaccine that she and her colleagues developed. She is chief of the Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies and the Lavine Family Chair in Preventative Cancer Therapies at Dana-Farber.

NeoVax recognizes the distinctive protein fragments (neoantigens) on the surface of an individual’s cancer cells and trains the body’s immune system to attack the tumor. It is being tested in clinical trials for a number of cancers.

The new version of the vaccine will be a whole tumor cell vaccine known as AMPVax, or Artificial Mini-Proteome Vaccine. It is expected to be more effective, as well as cheaper and faster to produce, Wu said.

“AMPVax is a revolutionary approach to preparing a personal cancer vaccine because it mimics the entire set of proteins produced by a particular patient’s tumor cells rather than just those we can detect by current RNA sequencing techniques,” she explained. “By targeting the full complement of neoantigens, we can more effectively trigger the immune system to kill the tumor cells.”

The Troper Wojcicki Foundation also awarded a grant to Matthew Meyerson, MD, PhD, for his research with Pasi Jänne, MD, PhD, on a new therapy for a rare subset of non-small cell lung cancers known as ERBB2 mutant lung cancers. Meyerson is director of Cancer Genomics and the Charles A. Dana Chair in Human Cancer Genetics at Dana-Farber. Jänne is director of the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, director of the Chen-Huang Center for EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancers, and the David M. Livingston, MD, Chair at Dana-Farber.

Most commonly found in women and non-smokers, ERBB2 mutant lung cancer is caused by mutations in a gene called ERBB2, which can be thought of as a switch that helps control how cells grow and divide. Mutations cause the switch to be stuck in the “on” position, causing the cells to multiply too quickly and form a tumor.

“The best available therapies are beneficial, leading to a median overall survival of 18 months,” said Meyerson, “but we want to find out if a treatment program that uses a combination of drugs can enable patients to live even longer.”

“We are so pleased to provide critical support for these pioneering projects,” said Nadia Litterman, PhD, the director of scientific affairs and partnerships for the Troper Wojcicki Foundation, which was founded by the late YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki and her husband, Dennis Troper. “It’s exciting to imagine how much patients will benefit.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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For more than 30 years, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) has taken action against childhood brain cancer through advocacy, support for patients and families, and funding of pioneering research. PBTF supports scientific studies that promise to enhance understanding of these cancers, expand treatment options, and improve outcomes for children—including longstanding support of cutting-edge pediatric neuro-oncology research at Dana-Farber.

PBTF recently awarded grants totaling $1,350,000 to Dana-Farber’s Pratiti (Mimi) Bandopadhayay, MBBS, PhD, and Rameen Beroukhim, MD, PhD, to accelerate their research on pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGGs). The most common pediatric brain tumors in children, pLGGs are associated with devastating lifelong effects resulting from the tumors themselves and from the treatments required to control their growth. There is a clear need for more effective, less toxic treatments for children with these tumors.

One PBTF grant is expediting research by Bandopadhayay and Beroukhim to explore a new potential therapeutic target. Building on their recent discovery that pLGGs with KIAA1549-BRAF mutations—the most common driver alteration in these tumors—may be dependent on a certain protein complex, Bandopadhayay and Beroukhim are leveraging this grant to further assess whether this dependency represents a powerful avenue for therapeutic development.

“We greatly appreciate this generous grant, which is driving crucial research,” said Beroukhim. “Thanks to this support, we are closer to expanding treatment options for young patients with gliomas.”

Building on their past support of Bandopadhayay, which has spanned nearly a decade, another PBTF grant is powering work by Bandopadhayay and Beroukhim to better understand why some pLGGs respond to certain targeted therapies, and why some tumors develop resistance or rebound after treatment is stopped. This knowledge could help unearth strategies to optimize the use of targeted therapies to destroy pLGG cells for good and minimize impacts on normal brain development—key steps toward advancing precision medicine for children with these tumors.

“This support from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is speeding our pursuit of new treatments that young patients desperately need,” said Bandopadhayay. “I’m deeply grateful for their partnership throughout the years.”

“Drs. Bandopadhayay and Beroukhim are leading research that could change the future of care for childhood brain tumors,” said Jeff Gelfand, board chair of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. “We are proud and honored to power their progress toward our shared goal: a world free of childhood brain tumors.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Lynch syndrome is one of the most common hereditary conditions linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, affecting approximately one in nearly every 300 people in the United States. Families with Lynch syndrome often have multiple members who develop cancer, sometimes at unusually young ages. Because most individuals with Lynch syndrome are unaware of their condition until they are diagnosed with cancer, treatment can be challenging.

For David and JoEllen Sweet (pictured), whose family has been deeply impacted by Lynch syndrome, finding a cure is a mission that spans generations. With a gift of $1.25 million to establish the Sweet Family Fellowship for Lynch Syndrome Research, they hope to alleviate the burden of the condition for future generations, both within their own family and for thousands of others. This gift, their second in support of The Dana-Farber Campaign, builds on the family’s previous contribution to help launch Dana-Farber’s Lynch Syndrome Center in 2019. Since its inception, the center has grown to become the world’s most comprehensive center dedicated to innovative research and lifelong, personalized care for patients and families with Lynch syndrome.

“We consider Lynch syndrome a family disease—it’s been with us for generations and probably will be for generations to come,” said David. “The opportunity to support research that will advance care for our descendants and countless other families was all the motivation we needed to give to Dana-Farber.”

The Sweet Family Fellowship, the first of its kind focused exclusively on Lynch syndrome, will provide the center with critical support to train investigators who will focus their research on improving interception and treatment methods, including risk assessment, noninvasive screening, novel prevention vaccines, and immunotherapy.

“The Sweet Family Fellowship will help us exponentially increase our impact by enabling us to recruit promising early career physician-scientists who will conduct innovative research projects and build careers focused on Lynch syndrome,” said Sapna Syngal, MD, MPH, founder of the Lynch Syndrome Center, director of research in the Division of Cancer Genetics and Prevention, and co-director of the Centers for Early Detection and Interception at Dana-Farber. “The fellowship will simultaneously provide our team with much-needed research support that will lead to early detection, interception, and therapeutic breakthroughs for patients and their families.”

The fact that an endowed fellowship would provide the Lynch Syndrome Center with research support in perpetuity was especially important to the Sweets.

“This isn’t a one-time gift, it’s a forever gift,” said David. “We’re paying it forward, continuously, creating a situation in which scientists can contribute to Lynch syndrome research efforts for years to come.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Steven and Anne Dodge (pictured) had a long-standing relationship with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which began in the early 1990s. Steve was first introduced to the Institute through the Jimmy Fund. He supported this cause by advertising and fundraising through WBMX, a small Boston radio station. WBMX was part of American Radio Systems, one of the many successful communications ventures Steve led. At one point, American Radio Systems was the nation’s second-largest radio operator. Steve prized owning the radio broadcasting rights for his beloved Boston Red Sox and enjoyed visiting Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Castiglione in the broadcasting booth with his children, Tom, Ben, and Kristen Dodge. Steve served on the Dana-Farber Board of Trustees from 1991 to 2007, and continued to contribute to Dana-Farber, remaining a strong advocate for its patient care efforts and cancer research discoveries.

Following Steve’s passing in 2019 and Anne’s in 2024, and in accordance with their wishes and the terms of their trust, a gift of over $1 million was granted to Dana-Farber. Their generosity will help physician-scientists as they strive to pursue cutting-edge research projects aimed at understanding the underlying mechanisms of cancer, develop new treatments, and improve existing therapies.

“I feel very positive about my parents’ decision to leave a lasting legacy, as it supports a cause that is close to my heart,” said Tom, who now manages the trust. “I hope the funds are directed towards research, maximizing their impact on those dealing with cancer. As a patient myself, this cause resonates deeply with me, especially since I was diagnosed after my father passed away. Our family’s history with Dana-Farber is a testament to the importance of its work.”

Since their passing, Tom has taken on and expanded many of his parents’ philanthropic relationships and finds it incredibly rewarding to witness the positive impact of philanthropy on communities and individuals.

“Dana-Farber has been a part of my life for a long time,” Tom continued. “I vividly remember visiting the Institute as a child, likely due to a donation or fundraising effort by my parents. That experience was my first exposure to the hospital in Boston. Now, nearly 30 years later, I am still actively involved, bringing our family’s commitment full circle.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Upon reading about the cutting-edge cancer vaccine research being led by Dana-Farber’s internationally renowned Catherine Wu, MD, in an issue of the Harvard Gazette, Ron and Carol Beerman (pictured) seized the opportunity to help accelerate Wu’s novel approach to cancer treatment with a $1 million gift to the Institute to establish the Beerman Family Fund for Cancer Vaccines. Ron is a Harvard Business School alum and founder of Profitmaster Displays, Inc., and Carol is a former educator. Ron says, “With Dana-Farber’s extensive R&D resources and experience, supporting Dr. Wu’s promising work to pioneer personalized cancer vaccines presented an undeniable opportunity in this highest stakes battle against cancer, that we just couldn’t pass up.”

The clinical development of cancer vaccines has been years in the making, and Wu and her team are now working to bring these therapies to life for more patients. In the last decade, there has been a rise in the use of immunotherapy, using the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. This approach has led to significant disease regression for 25% of patients treated, and Dana-Farber is intent on increasing the proportion of patients for whom these therapies are effective.

“We now recognize that immunotherapy has emerged as a new pillar of cancer care in addition to chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The Beermans’ support will help us continue to refine and develop these targeted treatments to help improve the lives of many more patients,” says Wu, who is the Lavine Family Chair for Preventative Cancer Therapies and chief of the Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies at Dana-Farber. In 2024, Wu was awarded the Sjöberg Prize for her research on immunotherapy as a basis for cancer vaccine development.

Dana-Farber was a pioneer in the development of the first generation of personal cancer vaccines, through efforts by Wu and her team; they are now revolutionizing the field further by developing a next-generation approach known as AMPVax, for Artificial Mini- Proteome Vaccine.

AMPVax is designed so that researchers can rapidly, cost effectively, and comprehensively prepare a personal vaccine that includes almost all patient-specific neoantigens—the tumor-specific proteins found in the individual’s cancer tissue. This important work may help speed up the production, reduce the cost, and increase the personalization of cancer vaccines to be more effective in many types of cancers.

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Like many people, cancer has touched the lives of Michele and Howard Kessler (pictured) more than once. After tragically losing her sister to cancer 25 years ago and later her niece, Michele began to raise funds for Dana-Farber in appreciation of the compassionate care her family received. Michele became a Trustee in 2000 and the Kesslers soon became leaders in the Dana-Farber philanthropy community—fundraising for, organizing, and chairing events in Palm Beach and recently, advancing The Dana-Farber Campaign as Campaign Cabinet members (see full list at right). Then in 2024, Howard was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

“Fortunately, up until now, we’ve never had to use Dana-Farber personally,” said Michele. “But when we did, it was gratifying to see just how good these doctors really are. There’s no place like Dana-Farber. It’s the gold standard of care.”

Howard had previously been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)—a group of hematologic syndromes that can lead to AML—and was being monitored by Daniel DeAngelo, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Leukemia. When Howard’s disease progressed to AML, DeAngelo and his team were able to take immediate action. The Kesslers traveled from Florida to Boston, and Howard began treatment in a matter of days under DeAngelo and Robert Soiffer, MD, chief of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies. Fortunately, Howard’s disease responded well to treatment and he was back on the tennis court eight months later.

Inspired by their care and the remarkable research advances taking place at Dana-Farber, the Kesslers recently made a $1 million gift to expedite AML research by Andrew Lane, MD, PhD, a clinician-scientist in the Adult Leukemia Program. Despite important progress, AML can become resistant to treatment, necessitating the development of new, more effective therapeutic options. Lane and his team recently discovered that certain leukemias depend on a molecular complex called PI3Kgamma for survival—a particularly promising breakthrough given there is already an existing drug called eganelisib that can inhibit PI3Kgamma’s function. While this drug has proven useful for patients with solid tumors, it has never been used for patients with AML.

With the crucial infusion of funds from the Kesslers, Lane and his team are initiating a new clinical trial and laboratory work to test eganelisib alone and in combination with the most common current AML drugs. Lane’s team has identified a subset of patients who are most likely to benefit from eganelisib, and their preclinical studies suggest that the drug combinations may work synergistically and hold great promise for patients.

“This generous support from Howard and Michele came at a crucial time and is expediting our ability to build on this important discovery,” said Lane. “Thanks to their gift, we are much closer to expanding treatment options for patients with AML.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Longtime supporter Homai Khanna and her family have trusted in the Institute’s world-class cancer care since her late husband, Radhey, was first treated here. At that time, and more recently after her own cancer diagnosis, Homai became acutely aware that many people face barriers to such care, impeding access to the best treatments, support programs, and quality of life they deserve.

As a breast cancer patient herself, Khanna has experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to manage the complexities of one’s care. She is especially mindful of patients from socially and economically marginalized populations who, despite enormous advances in the field, still bear a disproportionate burden of cancer incidence and mortality. For example, non-Hispanic Black women have a 41% higher death rate from breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women according to the American Cancer Society. Such staggering statistics demonstrate the dire need for dedicated navigators to guide and support patients throughout their cancer journey.

Determined to address this challenge and help these patients, Khanna and her sons, Raja and Samir, made a generous $1 million gift to establish The Khanna Family Fund for Breast Cancer Equity and Access, which supports a patient navigator in Dana-Farber’s Breast Oncology Program, and The Khanna Family Endowment for Breast Cancer Equity and Access, which supports the Institute’s Patient Navigator Program in perpetuity.

Grounded in the Institute’s commitment to extraordinary, equitable care for everyone, the Patient Navigator Program provides personalized support for patients from diagnosis through survivorship, ensuring they receive timely treatment and assisting them with housing, transportation, language services, insurance, nutrition, out-of-pocket costs, and other potential health barriers. These crucial interventions have been proven to significantly enhance patient experiences and outcomes, but they are not covered by insurance, underscoring the importance of private philanthropy like the Khannas’.

Magnolia Contreras, vice president of community health at Dana-Farber, emphasized the impact of this gift on patients who benefit from this comprehensive support. “Homai’s thoughtful generosity is changing lives,” Contreras said. “And we are all inspired by her commitment to her fellow patients.”

By funding a patient navigator in breast oncology, Khanna aimed to encourage and assist others who may not have the resources she has. She said: “I want patients with breast cancer not to give up hope, but to know the patient navigator can help them get the treatment they need.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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On GivingTuesday, Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund’s community of support surpassed all expectations, just as they did in 1948 following that first radio appeal by a young patient known as “Jimmy.” Back then, Dr. Sidney Farber hoped to raise perhaps $20,000, but generous people across the country, touched by Jimmy’s message and Dr. Farber’s mission, sent donations large and small that added up to more than $230,000. And more than 75 years later, generous supporters came together once again to soar past our $1 million GivingTuesday goal: When the dust settled on Dec. 3, 2024, contributions to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund totaled more than $2.4 million.

Nearly 9,100 gifts were received, ranging from $1 to $96,000, to advance innovative research and compassionate care across the Institute. These funds help to improve outcomes for patients like Leilani, a patient in Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic, whose parents shared her story to inspire support for GivingTuesday.

When Leilani was 4 months old, her father, Chris, noticed a lump in her neck during bath time, and an X-ray revealed several tumors, including one the size of a tennis ball in her chest. After a referral to Dana-Farber and 10 rounds of chemotherapy, Leilani’s tumors shrank significantly. And now, Leilani is in remission thanks to the dedicated care team who worked so hard to give her the cancer-free future that she—and every patient—deserves.

“It was devastating to hear that our baby, too young to even sit up on her own, was going to face such a monumental battle with cancer,” said Leilani’s mother, Liz. “What sets Dana-Farber apart isn’t just the cutting-edge research and the world-renowned staff. It’s the focus on patients and family support, which has been the only thing that has kept us going throughout this incredibly difficult time.”

With the support of the Dana-Farber and Jimmy Fund community, on GivingTuesday and throughout the year, Leilani’s family and countless families around the world have found hope and strength to defy cancer.

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Expect Miracles Foundation celebrated a banner year in 2024, raising another $1 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and bringing their cumulative total to more than $15 million in support of our lifesaving mission to defy cancer.

This year was particularly exciting, as it marked the 30th anniversary of the East Coast Classic golf tournament, Expect Miracles’ very first fundraising event and the one that launched the foundation as it is known today. The East Coast Classic is one of many events through which the foundation brings together professionals in the financial services industry to not only fundraise for cancer research but also help advance the financial and emotional health of those burdened by cancer. Other events include the Atlantic Coast Classic golf tournament, which teed off for the seventh year at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, N.J., and the Expect Miracles in Boston gala, which celebrated its 20th year.

The Expect Miracles Discovery Fund—one of three philanthropic branches of the foundation—specifically supports the Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science at Dana-Farber, which collaborates with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners to bring basic scientific breakthroughs to market in the form of new cancer drugs and therapies. The Belfer Center is unique in that it joins scientific discovery with academic and industry research to solve the most common and challenging drug development problems and accelerate the availability of cutting-edge cancer treatments.

“The Belfer Center is empowered now more than ever to elevate its research and impact,” says Pasi Jänne, MD, PhD, director of the Belfer Center and the David M. Livingston, MD, Chair at Dana-Farber. “With support from Expect Miracles Foundation, we’re able to deepen our understanding, improve how we detect and treat cancer, and offer renewed hope to patients around the world.” Jänne is also the director of the Chen-Huang Center for EGFR Mutant Lung Cancers at Dana-Farber.

“Expect Miracles is proud to celebrate this milestone year by renewing our support of Dana-Farber and our commitment to bringing hope to the cancer community,” says Frank Strauss, founder and chairman of Expect Miracles Foundation. “I’m confident that, together, we have the power to make a profound difference in the future of cancer.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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For nearly a decade, active recovery footwear brand OOFOS has supported breast cancer research at Dana-Farber through its Project Pink initiative, which donates a percentage of online sales to the Institute. In 2024, the organization surpassed an impressive $4 million in all-time donations to help find new cures and treatments.

Since its launch in 2015, Project Pink has been a beacon of hope for patients with breast cancer. Project Pink was inspired by OOFOS brand leader and marketing director Duncan Finigan, who was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 2014 and received treatment at Dana-Farber. When she shared her diagnosis with her OOFOS family, the company was determined to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer, leading to the launch of Project Pink. Although Finigan passed away in 2019, her spirit lives on through OOFOS’ unwavering commitment to advancing breast cancer research and care.

“Project Pink is an incredibly special part of our company,” said Lou Panaccione, co-founder and CEO at OOFOS. “Every cent raised is a testament to Duncan’s legacy, and we are so proud to honor her while making an impact for other cancer patients. This milestone achievement is just the beginning for us, and we look forward to our continued support for such an incredible organization.”

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 313,500 people will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the U.S. this year, representing 15.5% of all new cancer cases.

“We know breast cancer is an incredibly complex disease, and no two cases are the same. At Dana-Farber, we’re determined to provide personalized treatment options so that we can provide each patient with the optimal care,” said Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH, chief of the Division of Breast Oncology in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber. “Thanks to OOFOS, we are able to make incredible strides in finding new treatments to help improve outcomes for breast cancer. We are so grateful to them and look forward to our continued partnership.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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For more than four and a half decades, the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), a bike-a-thon across Massachusetts and the world’s most successful single athletic fundraising event, has been an integral partner in Dana-Farber’s life-changing work. Even by the PMC’s lofty standards, 2024 was a banner year, as the organization generated a record gift of $75 million and surpassed an extraordinary $1.047 billion in lifetime fundraising since its founding in 1980.

This historic effort was accelerated by the 45th PMC ride on August 3–4, when more than 6,800 riders from 45 states and territories and 10 countries pedaled 16 one- and two-day routes ranging from 25 to 211 miles across Massachusetts. They were supported by over 3,500 volunteers, more than 200 corporate sponsors, and 350,000 individual donations. More than 1,100 riders and volunteers were cancer patients and survivors, considered Living Proof of the PMC’s mission and impact. PMC fundraising was also propelled by PMC Winter Cycle, an annual spin event at Fenway Park in Boston; PMC Unpaved, a gravel ride in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts; and PMC Kids Rides, where children raise funds through mini bike-a-thons in their communities.

The PMC donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar to Dana-Farber. As the Institute’s largest single donor, accounting for 66% of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue, the PMC remains the driving force for progress at the Institute that ripples around the globe. And the advances at Dana-Farber enabled by the PMC since its inception have transformed cancer medicine.

For example, immunotherapy, the gold standard for treating many cancers today, arose from innovative basic research discoveries made at the Institute that relied on PMC support. Since then, Dana-Farber researchers unleashed these breakthrough treatments against malignancies like melanoma, for which the Institute’s team led the first trials of immunotherapies and cancer vaccines.

PMC funding also fueled the growth of Dana-Farber’s clinical trials program into one of the nation’s largest, allowing the Institute to play a substantial role in advancing more than half of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA in the last five years. In multiple myeloma, many of the 19 therapies approved in the past two decades were advanced at the Institute with PMC support, with patients now living three to five times longer than could be previously expected.

Additionally, funding from the PMC has helped the Institute more than double in size since 2000, from approximately 1.22 million square feet then to more than 2.83 million square feet in 2024. This new space includes three world-class patient care facilities built in the past five years to bring cancer care into communities closer to where patients live; and dynamic research labs like the Longwood Center, the Institute’s state-of-the art hub of collaborative, leading-edge cancer science.

Along with its physical footprint, Dana-Farber expanded care for historically marginalized populations as the Cancer Care Equity Program doubled in size, enabling the Institute to increase its team of community-facing patient navigators, build relationships with neighborhood clinics, and expand research into the causes of and interventions for health disparities.

In parallel, PMC resources equipped Dana-Farber to recruit and retain renowned physicians, scientists, and nurses from around the globe, with more than 125 physicians named to Boston magazine’s most recent “Top Doctors” list, 34 investigators on the “Highly Cited Researchers” list by the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate, and the fifth consecutive Magnet® designation for excellence in nursing and patient care.

Bolder research, better care, optimal facilities, and the best people—these things and more are what $1 billion from the PMC has made possible at Dana-Farber. This tremendous progress helped the number of cancer survivors in the U.S. grow from less than 5 million in 1980 to over 19 million in 2024, and the five-year survival rate increase from 50% to 68%.

For Benjamin Ebert, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber president and CEO, the George P. Canellos, MD, and Jean S. Canellos Professor of Medicine, and 6-year PMC rider, the PMC is much more than a bike ride—it is a lifeline for the Institute’s mission to defy cancer. “The PMC is an experience like none other,” Ebert said. “I am honored to ride each summer with this committed community, which inspires us all at Dana-Farber and empowers everything we do to improve patients’ lives.”

In celebrating a year that was truly “One In a Billion,” Billy Starr—PMC founder and executive director, 45-year PMC rider, and a Dana-Farber Trustee—knows this dedicated community is ready for more. “I am immensely grateful to everyone who has contributed to this $1 billion fundraising achievement,” Starr said. “Together, we’re setting up the road to the next billion and even greater progress.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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The WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon presented by Arbella Insurance helped strike out cancer for the 22nd year at Fenway Park in August, with the help of thousands of generous supporters from across the country. The two-day event, which features inspiring stories from patients and doctors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, community leaders, and other special guests, raised nearly $4 million for adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber.

Broadcast live from Fenway Park Aug. 13 and 14 from 6 a.m. through midnight, the fundraiser featured Dana-Farber pediatric and adult patients who shared their stories on-air and took part in special on-field ceremonies. Threaded throughout the event were moving tributes to two Boston Red Sox and Jimmy Fund heroes who passed away over the past year: Chairman of the Jimmy Fund and Institute Trustee Larry Lucchino, and the first-ever Jimmy Fund Co-Captain Tim Wakefield.

Kicking off the fundraising each morning was a special matching challenge from Rob and Karen Hale, who pledged to match the first $775,000 raised between 6 and 10 a.m. over the two days. Other special appearances included new Jimmy Fund Co-Chairs Brock Holt and Tom Caron; Jimmy Fund Captain and Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock; Red Sox Manager Alex Cora; Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman; New England Revolution head coach Caleb Porter, and many others.

“We feel extremely lucky to join the team every year at Radio-Telethon,” said Gayle O’Connell, executive vice president and CMO of the Arbella Insurance Group. “I think we all know someone who is fighting a battle with cancer, so supporting the important work that the heroes at Dana-Farber do each day is an honor for us.”

“At a time when life is more expensive than ever, our listeners, clients, and partners stepped up and gave once again!” said Mike Thomas, senior vice president and market manager of Audacy Boston, parent company of WEEI. “The athletes and celebrities who took the time to come on and help us raise money are inspiring.”

“The overwhelming generosity of our viewers and partners demonstrates the deep commitment that the audience has to fighting cancer,” said Sean McGrail, president & CEO of NESN. “Together, we will continue to make a significant impact in the lives of patients and their families.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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The American Cancer Society built upon more than 75 years of support for Dana-Farber by recently awarding nearly $3.1 million in new grants to 11 investigators across the Institute. The awards will fund a broad spectrum of research ranging from basic science inquiries to psychosocial interventions for patients and survivors.

Kira Bona, MD, MPH, is using her Discovery Boost Grant to test the feasibility of a random pilot intervention of cash transfers to low-income families whose children have been recently diagnosed with cancer. Studies show that these children are more likely to relapse and die, even when they receive the same chemotherapy as their peers in higher-income families.

A TheoryLab Collaborative Grant is funding research led by Abby Rosenberg, MD, MS, MA, chief of Pediatric Palliative Care, into whether an online coaching and stress-management tool can alleviate distress in breast cancer survivors who fear that their disease will recur. “These patients are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress—especially if they are single parents, have financial difficulties, or live in under-resourced communities,” said Rosenberg.

Jennifer Snaman, MD, received a Clinician Scientist Development Grant to test whether a decision-making tool developed for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients could be modified for use by younger teens.

AYA patients often have views different from their parents about what kind of treatment they wish to have, especially near end of life, Snaman said. She is interviewing AYAs and their parents to learn more about their approach to treatment decision-making and using this information to adapt an online tool known as MyPref. Her goal is to improve patient, family, and physician communication and decision-making.

The American Cancer Society also awarded postdoctoral fellowships to Ke Cong, PhD, and Cheuk-Ting Law, PhD. Cong is investigating the role of the protein CDK5 in DNA replication stress, a condition linked to genomic instability and cancer development. Law is developing an innovative sequencing technology to delve into the LINE-1 gene, which has recently been recognized for its role in causing large-scale mutagenesis in cancer and its cancer biomarker potential. These projects are expected to provide insights into possible new cancer therapies.

Other recent awardees are Pratiti Bandopadhayay, MBBS, PhD; Christina Dieli-Conwright, PhD, MPH; Jennifer Karlow, PhD; Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH, chief clinical access and equity officer and the Hadley Family Chair at Dana-Farber; Christopher Manz, MD; and Baochun Zhang, MD, PhD.

“Our research goal is to find answers that help save lives, and that means funding the most innovative cancer research,” said William Dahut, MD, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society. “These grantees represent the very best to help break new ground in cancer care and treatment.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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For more than 50 years, the Kraft family and Dana-Farber have shared a visionary partnership in support of a common mission: to make a difference in the lives of patients in New England and beyond. With a gift of $5 million to The Dana-Farber Campaign, the family will bring Dana-Farber’s lifesaving early detection and prevention programs to more people at risk of developing cancer.

The Kraft family is funding a program to support health equity efforts in Dana-Farber’s Centers for Early Detection and Interception (CEDI). Launched in 2023, CEDI is a first-of-its-kind, integrated clinical and research program that develops novel technologies and methods for cancer detection and prevention. The Kraft’s gift will advance work led by Sapna Syngal, MD, MPH (pictured, far right), to support dedicated staff focused on expanding access to early detection screenings and education for at-risk populations throughout Dana-Farber’s existing network of community-based health clinics. A portion of the gift previously established the Kraft Family Chair, held by Nikhil Munshi, MD.

“Despite enormous progress in early detection and prevention over the past several decades, historically marginalized populations still bear a disproportionate cancer burden,” said Syngal, who serves as co-director of CEDI. “This program brings CEDI’s lifesaving resources to more people in our communities and has the potential to serve as a national model for addressing disparities in cancer care.”

Syngal will collaborate with Magnolia Contreras, MSW, MBA, vice president of Community Health, and Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH (pictured, far left), chief clinical access officer and the Hadley Family Chair at Dana-Farber, to identify individuals in local communities at risk of developing cancer, implement screenings, and facilitate enrollment in clinical trials.

The Kraft family has played a pivotal role in many landmark initiatives at Dana-Farber, including the creation of the Cancer Care Equity Program, led by Lathan; the establishment of the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital; the endowment of the Kraft Family Professorship held by Kenneth Anderson, MD; and support for ovarian cancer and multiple myeloma research in memory of Myra Kraft and New England Patriots player Ron Burton. Robert Kraft served as a Dana-Farber Trustee for nearly 45 years, and Dan Kraft joined the board in 2012.

“The Kraft family continues to demonstrate a generous and heartfelt commitment to our community by connecting at-risk populations to resources and programs that will save their lives,” said Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, president emerita of Dana-Farber and the Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine. “They are further elevating our unrelenting efforts to ensure that everyone benefits from world-class cancer care, no matter their zip code or socio-economic status.”

“By expanding access to early detection and prevention resources, we hope to reduce the burden of cancer treatment for patients and families down the road,” said (pictured, center, with his wife, Wendy). “Dana-Farber has the vision and the track record to level the playing field, and we believe this program will make a real difference in saving lives.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Last summer, HomeGoods and Homesense customers found more than an ever-changing assortment of exciting merchandise at store locations across the nation. From May 30 through June 26, the off-price retailers teamed up with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund in its 24th annual campaign to help families facing cancer, raising critical funding for revolutionary cancer research and compassionate patient care.

The “Find Home Anywhere” initiative invited shoppers in more than 900 HomeGoods and Homesense locations nationwide to make a donation at the register, with 100% of donations benefiting Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. Customers were also able to purchase two limited-edition reusable shopping bags at $0.99 each, featuring artwork by seven-year-old Emelie of Natick, Mass. (pictured), a patient in Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic. A portion of the sale from each bag purchased went directly to the Jimmy Fund.

In August 2022, Emelie began experiencing severe stomach pain and a bump was discovered on her right side. When testing revealed that Emelie had bilateral Wilms tumor—a form of kidney cancer—her family headed to Dana-Farber for treatment. Since her diagnosis, Emelie has undergone a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and post-chemo medications to combat the disease.

At Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic, the team welcomed and supported Emelie, providing a home away from home when she needed it most. Emelie had taken a special interest in painting and crafting at the Clinic, and was thrilled when her colorful, whimsical artwork—one design featuring a panda munching on watermelon, and another showcasing sea life swimming in turquoise blue water—was selected for the 2024 HomeGoods bag designs. Emelie was excited to visit a HomeGoods location over the summer and see the bags on display, knowing that her artwork is helping to fuel advancements in cancer treatment for patients like herself. In addition to arts and crafts, Emelie also loves basketball, gymnastics, and being a Girl Scout.

HomeGoods has been a steadfast partner in Dana-Farber’s lifesaving mission since 2001, raising more than $30 million through the generosity of its customers to prevent, treat, and defy cancer.

“HomeGoods and Dana-Farber have long shared an interest in creating a sense of home, safety, comfort, and belonging for patients,” said Victoria Shonkoff, senior vice president and marketing director, HomeGoods and Homesense. “Together with our generous customers, we’re proud to support patients like Emelie and help provide a sense of comfort for them and their families throughout their care experience.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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When Marielle Kaifer lost her mother to lung adenocarcinoma, she wanted a way to honor her mother’s struggle while supporting research to identify early markers of the non-small cell lung cancer so prevalent in her family.

As chemists and researchers themselves, Marielle and her husband, Angel Kaifer, appreciated the importance of seed funding for groundbreaking research. So in 2019, they made a $1 million gift to establish the Barbara Wilson Gomez Endowed Fellowship in Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber in the lab of Pasi Jänne, MD, PhD, who was then director of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology and is currently director of the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science and of the Chen-Huang Center for EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancers, and the David M. Livingston, MD, Chair at Dana-Farber.

Then in 2022 came Angel’s own diagnosis, and with it, their commitment to another cancer in need of better treatment options.

“He had a rarer form of urothelial cancer, in the upper tract of the kidney, and then a very rare pattern of metastasis directly to bone,” said Marielle. “I was struck by how few treatment options were available. And I was very struck by the fact that there seemed to be so many tests coming out for early cancer detection, but not much for urothelial cancer.”

When Angel began treatment at Dana-Farber, he and Marielle were impressed by the work of Joaquim Bellmunt, MD, PhD (pictured), director of the Bladder Cancer Center. They recognized another need and opportunity, and launched The Kaifer Family Bladder Cancer Research Fund with a $1.3 million gift to support Bellmunt’s work.

Angel and Marielle’s hope for their funding is that research would enable urothelial cancer patients to be diagnosed sooner than stage II, before there is any substantial metastasis. “They’re looking at detection of cancer through blood analysis, which we think would be a game changer for this type of cancer, because it would facilitate early detection and probably much better outcomes,” said Angel.

“With this funding, my team and I are well-positioned to continue our work in developing a new, non-invasive blood test based on epigenomics, to detect and monitor bladder cancer in patients receiving new treatment options for bladder cancer like immunotherapy and antibody drug conjugates,” said Bellmunt. “I am grateful to Angel and Marielle for their support of this work, which we are hopeful will improve early detection and treatment monitoring.”

In some past donations to medical institutions, Marielle and Angel haven’t always felt well-connected to the projects they were funding. Working with Dana-Farber, they say, has been an entirely different experience because of the open flow of information on achievements made possible by their gifts.

“The quality of communication inspires confidence,” Marielle said. “You feel involved in what they’re doing, and their progress, and feel your effort is having an effect.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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When Tom McDonough was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he and his wife, Olivia, set to work to find the best oncologist in the country to lead his care team. A former health care executive, Tom approached this process the same way he did most things—in a very careful, efficient, and logical manner.

But when the couple met Mary-Ellen Taplin, MD, at Dana-Farber, it came down to a gut feeling.

“I just felt for the first time, ‘this is it, she’s the one,’” said Olivia. “When we walked out of the meeting I said to Tom, ‘She’s gonna be the Tommy Brady of our care team.’ She’s our quarterback.”

Taplin is a world-renowned expert in genitourinary cancer, balancing her time between compassionate patient care and cutting-edge research. Her work has been instrumental in understanding the mechanisms of prostate cancer response and resistance—a crucial component of developing next-generation therapies for this disease.

Inspired by their experiences at Dana-Farber, the McDonoughs wanted to make an impact on prostate cancer research that could change the paradigm of early detection, care management, and treatment for metastatic disease—and they found it in a unique collaboration between Taplin and Eliezer Van Allen, MD, chief of the Division of Population Sciences and the Chandra Nohria Family Chair for AI in Cancer Research at Dana-Farber and an expert in computational biology.

Van Allen’s work focuses on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to dissect high volumes of complex data directly from cancer patients and uses these insights to address major open questions in the field. He and Taplin are working together to harness the power of AI to accelerate the analysis of prostate cancer’s genomics, disease progression, and treatment resistance, as well as speed the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Confident that this collaboration would yield results, the McDonoughs made a gift of nearly $1.3 million to establish the McDonough Endowed Fellowship in Metastatic Prostate Cancer Research and Artificial Intelligence—the first-ever fellowship that combines metastatic prostate cancer research with AI research at Dana-Farber.

“Olivia and I are not going to solve the riddle of metastatic prostate cancer, but we can contribute to the solution,” said Tom. “This project may never help me, but down the road there are going to be patients who can benefit. Everything we do in philanthropy is to fund programs that have a tangible impact.”

“Endowed fellowships provide resources that enable Dana-Farber to train the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians,” said Taplin. “Eli and I are grateful for Tom and Olivia’s support—this fellowship is a unique opportunity and one that we feel will enable further progress in treating this difficult disease.”

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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Breast and uterine cancers are the focus of more than $1 million in grants to four Dana-Farber investigators recently awarded by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and its partners.

Nolan Priedigkeit, MD, PhD, and Capucine Héraud, PhD, received grants to support their research into breast cancer. Sarah Johnstone, MD, PhD, and Joyce Liu, MD, MPH, director of clinical research in the Division of Gynecology, received awards for their investigations of uterine cancer.

“We are honored to support the innovative research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which represents AACR’s commitment to advancing the fight against breast and uterine cancers,” said Yixian (John) Zhang, PhD, vice president of research and grants administration at the AACR. “By funding these promising studies, we aim to foster the development of targeted, effective treatments that can significantly improve patient outcomes.”

Priedigkeit is testing a new technology to target metastatic breast cancer cells by focusing on nucleic acids like RNA instead of proteins, an approach that could lead to more effective and less toxic treatments. He will test an RNA sensor that can detect fusion RNAs, activate a molecular switch, and trigger a toxin within cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. His grant—a Young Investigator Award for Translational Cancer Research—is from the AACR and Conquer Cancer^®, the ASCO Foundation.

Héraud received an AACR-Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Research Fellowship for her work to better understand the effectiveness of hormone treatments for that subtype of breast cancer. She will study breast cancer tissue samples from early stage invasive lobular carcinomas and invasive ductal carcinomas to identify the differences between them, testing how they respond to tamoxifen and another hormone therapy, letrozole.

Uterine cancer is one of the few cancers where both incidence and mortality are rising. Liu is investigating whether a combination therapy that inhibits two key proteins, WEE1 and ATR, could have synergistic effects that would improve outcomes for patients diagnosed with these cancers. Liu received a Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Rising Innovator Research Grant, in partnership with Pelotonia and AACR.

Johnstone, who received a Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Career Development Award, in partnership with Pelotonia and AACR, is targeting difficult gynecologic cancers by studying the 3D organization of the genome to determine how certain proteins are disrupted and how they contribute to cancer development.

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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The Dana-Farber Campaign has enabled tremendous progress in cancer research and care, inspiring nearly 900,000 donors to defy cancer. The generosity of the Dana-Farber community cannot be overstated, and that is certainly true for Institute Trustees Michael Eisenson and Monica Chandra, chair and vice chair, respectively, of The Dana-Farber Campaign. Motivated by a desire to ease the burden of cancer for future patients, Eisenson and Chandra have dedicated their time and leveraged their expertise and connections for the entirety of this ambitious, multi-year fundraising effort.

As we look forward to celebrating the success of The Dana-Farber Campaign, both Trustees have made multimillion-dollar gifts to the endeavor, each reaffirming their commitment to Dana-Farber’s mission by supporting cutting-edge research with implications for cancer in its many forms. Furthermore, these special gifts establish a lasting legacy that both Eisenson and Chandra believe will be carried on by future generations of their families.

Eisenson’s involvement with the Institute first began more than 30 years ago, when the late David Livingston, MD, and former Institute President Baruj Benacerraf, MD, approached him with a funding opportunity. A respected business leader, Eisenson helped drum up support for early stage research at Dana-Farber. Soon after, in 1991, he was invited to join the Board of Trustees.

Supporting Dana-Farber’s mission was, and remains, personally meaningful to Eisenson. He lost his mother to cancer when she was only 45 years old, an experience that shaped his priorities. “I made a commitment to do what I could to help avoid this kind of loss for other families,” said Eisenson. “Every family has a story, and everyone can help. This is the way I chose to help.”

In 2021, Eisenson and his cousin Neil Mellen made a multifaceted gift in memory of Eisenson’s mother, Velma, and Mellen’s daughter, Nancy, who passed away from cancer when she was 52.

The gift provided substantial support for the Center for BRCA and Related Genes, one of the few centers in the world dedicated to the care for, prevention of, and research into BRCA-related cancers. Newly launched at the time, the center was one of the very first institutional initiatives that was identified as part of the campaign planning process.

Because BRCA-related genes are frequently mutated in multiple tumor types across cancer types—including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate, with an estimated 10-15% of these patients having inherited BRCA1/2 mutations—supporting the center was where Eisenson and Mellen felt they could make the biggest impact on cancer research.

Sadly, Neil Mellen passed away in January 2024. Eisenson, together with Neil’s foundation, is now carrying on the legacy they established with a new joint gift that will name The Mellen and Eisenson Family Center for BRCA and Related Genes, directed by Dipanjan Chowdhury, PhD, the Svanberg Family Chair; Judy Garber, MD, MPH, the Susan F. Smith Chair; and Panagiotis (Panos) Konstantinopoulos, MD, PhD. The gift will also establish the Velma Eisenson Chair for Clinical and Translational Research at Dana-Farber, with Konstantinopoulos serving as the first incumbent. Sustained support for the Nancy Ann Mellen Fund for Research and Clinical Trial Support Within the Center for BRCA and Related Genes, the David Livingston Early Career Investigator Awards, and the Pan-Mass Challenge will also be made possible.

“Neil and I were grateful to be able to focus our investment in an area that is of deep personal interest to us,” said Eisenson. “Dana-Farber is focused on developing real solutions in the most effective way possible, including through very meaningful collaborations among faculty members of different disciplines. My family and I know that treatments will emerge more quickly if we invest in this work—and more specifically, if we invest in Dana-Farber.”

Chandra first became involved with Dana-Farber almost two decades ago, when she joined a committee supporting the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers. She speaks positively of this experience, as hearing firsthand from the experts at Dana-Farber sparked her interest in becoming further involved. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2015, and served as co-chair of the Trustee Campaign Planning Committee during the earliest phase of the campaign (2017–2021). Like Eisenson, Chandra and her husband, Nitin Nohria, are also members of the Dana-Farber Society, a special group that honors those who have made a legacy gift to the Institute.

Building on years of service to the Institute, Chandra and her husband recently made a gift to establish the Chandra Nohria Family Chair for AI in Cancer Research at Dana-Farber, which will provide permanent, endowed support for this important new frontier in scientific research.

Over the years, both Eisenson and Chandra have worked closely with Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber and the Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine, to determine the best, most impactful areas to support, and so they recognize the value in naming a Dana-Farber Chair. Doing so honors distinguished faculty members while simultaneously providing invaluable financial support that allows researchers to test their most innovative and high-risk ideas, accelerating the chance for groundbreaking discoveries.

“Both Michael and Monica have been instrumental in the success of The Dana-Farber Campaign,” said Glimcher. “Their leadership, generosity, and forward-thinking truly embody what is so very special about our Dana-Farber community, and ultimately provide a beacon of hope to everyone striving to defy cancer. I am deeply grateful to have committed leaders beside me as we forge ahead to change the course of cancer.”

“Around 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their life, and it remains a leading cause of death globally,” Chandra said. “The impact of what our researchers, doctors, and nurses do is felt not just in Boston or New England, but benefits patients worldwide.”

That is certainly true of the Chandra Nohria Family Chair’s first incumbent, Eliezer Van Allen, MD, chief of the Division of Population Sciences, whose work in computational biology and machine learning is helping to shape how artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied to cancer medicine and research.

The Chandra Nohria family’s support will fund a variety of studies in AI, including those aiming to further refine personalized drugs and applying machine learning to analyze patient samples and predict tumor response. Van Allen’s team is also leading the way in AI safety and equity, establishing protocols that aim to ensure that results from algorithms are better and more accurate than human analysts.

“We stand at the cusp of an exciting new era in cancer research,” Chandra added. “Unlocking the power of new technologies to accelerate cancer detection, treatment, and prevention will require tremendous investments. I am in awe and so grateful that almost a million people came together to support the vision of our campaign. Together, we will Defy Cancer!”

For Chandra, philanthropy is a family affair—her daughter Reva and son-in-law Zach recently set up a Giving Page to celebrate their wedding, inspiring guests to make a gift to Dana-Farber. Their effort has raised nearly $50,000 to date. The Chandra Nohria legacy will be felt for years to come at the Institute, as each generation takes up the cause in honor of their loved ones who have faced cancer—and all of the families and patients who will benefit from these innovative studies in the future.

For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.

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