For nearly a decade, the Schaubert family has been a dedicated supporter of lung cancer research at Dana-Farber. Building on a legacy of giving begun by her late husband, Eileen Schaubert has generously pledged $1.5 million to establish the Schaubert Family Endowed Fellowship, a gift that provides immediate and future support for the next generation of lung cancer experts while furthering pioneering research overseen by David Barbie, MD, director of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology.
Steve Schaubert was inspired to make the family’s first gift to Dana-Farber following his own successful treatment for small cell lung cancer shortly before he passed away of unrelated causes in 2015. In the years following, Steve’s wife, Eileen, along with their daughters Suzanne Schaubert Thornfeldt and Amy Schaubert Brown, has built on his commitment through further support of Barbie’s research. With this new gift, the Schauberts are funding the work of early career physician-scientists dedicated to lung cancer research at Dana-Farber, under Barbie’s direction.
“As we’ve learned more about Dr. Barbie’s work, we’ve come to understand the importance of fellows in cancer research,” said Schaubert. “These young investigators are bringing their valuable knowledge and experience to lung cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber, and we want to ensure Dr. Barbie is able to look to the future knowing he will have fellowship funding in perpetuity.”
In addition to providing critical research support, philanthropic investments like the Schaubert Family Endowed Fellowship help Dana-Farber attract the brightest minds in the field and prepare a new generation of physicians and scientists to become leaders in clinical and laboratory investigation and patient care. With steady funding provided by the endowment, investigators and clinicians can focus on spending more time with patients and translating findings into new treatment protocols that can help patients around the world.
“Fellowships backed by philanthropic funding allow early career physician-scientists to launch their careers in lung cancer oncology at Dana-Farber, while simultaneously bringing their new, unique perspectives to our lab,” said Barbie. “I am grateful for the Schauberts’ visionary support in helping us pursue more effective treatments for lung cancer patients.”
“Our family’s experience at Dana-Farber has given me full confidence in the dedication and capabilities of its people,” Eileen says. “We feel so fortunate that we are able to help support lung cancer research at Dana-Farber in this way.”
For more stories about the impact of philanthropy at Dana-Farber, please visit DanaFarberImpact.org.