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Our latest efforts to Defy Cancer.

Visit this page often to hear how our community of donors, clinicians, researchers, and patients are helping Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund Defy Cancer.

Dana-Farber launches new centers to detect and intercept cancer

Dana-Farber launches new centers to detect and intercept cancer

Groundbreaking Centers for Early Detection and Interception designed to prevent cancer and find the disease in its earliest forms Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is launching a first-of-its-kind, integrated clinic to increase early detection of precancerous conditions and to prevent cancer from arising in individuals at increased risk for the disease. The new Centers for Early Detection and Interception at Dana-Farber bring together clinicians and researchers across many cancer types with a shared focus on precursor and hereditary conditions that can be early indicators of blood cancers and solid tumors. The Centers for Early Detection will focus on developing novel technologies and methods for...

Groundbreaking Centers for Early Detection and Interception designed to prevent cancer and find the disease in its earliest forms

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is launching a first-of-its-kind, integrated clinic to increase early detection of precancerous conditions and to prevent cancer from arising in individuals at increased risk for the disease. The new Centers for Early Detection and Interception at Dana-Farber bring together clinicians and researchers across many cancer types with a shared focus on precursor and hereditary conditions that can be early indicators of blood cancers and solid tumors. The Centers for Early Detection will focus on developing novel technologies and methods for earlier cancer detection, as well as innovative ways to proactively intervene before a cancer fully develops or progresses.

Many factors may influence an individual’s likelihood of developing cancer in their lifetime. Genetic conditions, such as Lynch or Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, greatly elevate the risk of a variety of cancers. Precursor conditions, such as smoldering myeloma, clonal hematopoiesis, or Barrett’s esophagus, all could represent early phases of diseases that may develop into cancers. Genetics and family history can significantly increase an individual’s risk of cancer. As many as 10% of Americans over 50 may have a precancerous condition that greatly increases their risk of the disease.

For patients diagnosed with cancer precursor or inherited conditions, teams at the new Centers for Early Detection will define their risk of developing cancer and discuss with patients their personal risk of progression to active cancer and provide treatment options to prevent progression, using state-of-the-art technologies. Starting with an initial diagnostic evaluation, patients will receive a personalized plan for monitoring and interventions.

"The Centers for Early Detection and Interception represents a fundamental shift in how we think about and address cancer, from reactive to proactive," said Sapna Syngal, MD, MPH, Co-Director of the new Centers. "Most cancers are diagnosed when a patient already has symptoms, often when the cancer is already advanced, which can result in higher mortality. We are able to offer patients proven surveillance and prevention measures that can be implemented to stop cancer arising in individuals at increased risk or to find cancer in its earliest forms when the disease can be treated most effectively."

Patients at the Centers for Early Detection and Interception are cared for by a multidisciplinary team that harnesses Dana-Farber's leadership and expertise in screening, risk assessment, and prevention and interception. This includes hematologist-oncologists who specialize in specific precursor conditions, as well as specialists in genetic risk and prevention, genetic counseling, social support, and more.

Depending on the patient's risk factors for developing cancer, they may be seen by a combination of experts at the Centers for Early Detection and Interception specialty programs. Experts at the Center are also developing multiple modalities of early prevention including lifestyle modifications and interception methods, such as vaccines, immunotherapy, and early precision medicine, to stop cancer before it is symptomatic.

"When we detect cancer early, we have a far greater chance of successfully treating and curing that cancer," said Irene Ghobrial, MD, Co-Director of the new Center. "We want to transform cancer care and reach millions of at-risk people, changing their lives through improved screening, early detection, and intercepting disease before it develops or advances."

The Centers for Early Detection will also be home to a new clinic dedicated to multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests. MCED tests are an emerging technology that can screen for numerous types of cancers, including breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers, from a simple blood test.

If an MCED test shows that cancer is present, patients will be referred to one of Dana-Farber's specialized treatment centers led by experts in their specific cancer type. And if cancer is not present, individuals will receive a custom follow-up plan, including ongoing screening and opportunities to participate in clinical trials.

"MCED tests can be an incredibly powerful tool in early detection of cancer but results from these screening tools require expert evaluation," said Betsy O’Donnell, MD, Director of Early Detection and Prevention of Malignant Conditions. "We're here to help patients better understand their test results and determine a plan for reducing their risk of progressing to cancer. We work with patients to conduct an initial diagnostic evaluation and develop personalized plans for monitoring and interventions as needed."

Patients accessing the Centers for Early Detection and Interception will also have the opportunity to participate in biobanking studies and clinical trials. Clinical studies and trials will include evaluation of new multi-cancer detection tests as well as immunoprevention studies, such as vaccines. Discoveries made through Centers for Early Detection and Interception will also be shared by Dana-Farber with medical colleagues around the world so that people everywhere can benefit from them.

The Hale Family receives Dana-Farber’s Sidney Farber Medical Research Award

The Hale Family receives Dana-Farber’s Sidney Farber Medical Research Award

Family honored for their dedication to supporting pancreatic cancer care and research BOSTON - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute honored the Hale Family of Boston and Westport, Mass., on Thursday, November 2, by awarding them the Sidney Farber Medical Research Award. The award recognized Judith B. Hale, Karen and Rob Hale, and Elizabeth Hale Kendall and Richard Kendall for the family’s outstanding contributions, commitment, and service to Dana-Farber, especially through pancreatic cancer research and care. Both Judy and Karen are Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Trustees.   The Hale Family’s support of Dana-Farber honors the memory of Judy’s late husband, Robert “Bob” T. Hale...

Family honored for their dedication to supporting pancreatic cancer care and research

BOSTON - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute honored the Hale Family of Boston and Westport, Mass., on Thursday, November 2, by awarding them the Sidney Farber Medical Research Award. The award recognized Judith B. Hale, Karen and Rob Hale, and Elizabeth Hale Kendall and Richard Kendall for the family’s outstanding contributions, commitment, and service to Dana-Farber, especially through pancreatic cancer research and care. Both Judy and Karen are Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Trustees.  

The Hale Family’s support of Dana-Farber honors the memory of Judy’s late husband, Robert “Bob” T. Hale Sr., who was also a generous philanthropist and was treated at Dana-Farber for pancreatic cancer. The Hales are longtime supporters of Dana-Farber and their gifts have established the Robert T. Hale Sr. and Judith B. Hale Fund for Pancreatic Research and the Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

From the Hale’s generosity, the Hale Family Center has grown dramatically in size and scope of work, from a small team to more than 100 total staff across 13 laboratories. As a result, Dana-Farber has established one of the most sophisticated and largest clinical trial programs for pancreatic cancer at any cancer center in the world, developing new therapies to target mutations in pancreatic cancers and working to harness the immune system to attack pancreatic cancers.

“We are honored to receive the Sidney Farber Medical Research Award, which becomes particularly meaningful to us during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month,” said Judy Hale. Her son, Rob Hale, CEO of Granite Telecommunications, added, “We share Dana-Farber’s mission to eradicate pancreatic cancer and look forward to the continued discoveries in research and improvements in treatments through the Hale Family Center, with the hope to help patients and families in Boston and across the globe.”

“The Hale Family continues to be extremely generous to Dana-Farber and funding cancer research. We applaud the Hales for their dedication to accelerating pancreatic cancer research, translating discoveries into improved patient outcomes, and fostering collaboration at Dana-Farber and across Boston’s biomedical community,” said Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber and the Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine. “It is only fitting that they receive the Institute’s highest honor. Along with the entire Dana-Farber community, I congratulate the Hale Family on receiving this award.”

In 2021, Judy, Rob, and Karen Hale made a transformative $50 million gift to Dana-Farber, the largest single gift to pancreatic cancer research in the Institute’s history and one of the largest gifts to The Dana-Farber Campaign. With this gift, the Hale Family’s cumulative giving to Dana-Farber surpassed $80 million, making them the second largest individual donors to the Institute. The Hale Family also hosts additional annual fundraising events, and their company, Granite Telecommunications, has gifted several million dollars to Dana-Farber.

“The Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research has allowed us to bring together experts in target discovery, functional genomics, chemical biology, computational biology, immunotherapy, and model system development, as well as pancreatic cancer experts in clinical roles—radiology, pathology, clinical trials. This collaborative research environment created a pipeline for innovation and translation of scientific discoveries to the clinic,” said Brian Wolpin, MD, MPH, Director of the Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and the Robert T. and Judith B. Hale Chair in Pancreatic Cancer at Dana-Farber.

The Sidney Farber Medical Research Award was established in 1968 in appreciation of the contributions Sidney Farber, MD, made to medicine and to the development and support of cancer care and research around the world. This award represents the Institute’s highest honor and is presented to individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to the field of cancer, either through research or public service.

Dr. Chris Lathan and the Cancer Care Equity Program Featured on CBS

Dr. Chris Lathan and the Cancer Care Equity Program Featured on CBS

CBS News spoke with Dr. Chris Lathan about his personal experiences with unequal medical treatment that inspired him to pursue a career in medicine and the impact of his work through Dana-Farber’s Cancer Care Equity Program—a program that is changing lives by addressing healthcare disparities and advancing health equity. Watch the video and read the story.

CowParade New England Featured on NBC Boston

CowParade New England Featured on NBC Boston

The Jimmy Fund is celebrating 75 years of community and progress with CowParade New England—a public art installation featuring 75 brightly colored cows. Check out a recent clip and article from NBC Boston about CowParade, which will be on display in Greater Boston from June 24 through September 4. Watch the news segment.

The Boston Globe Tells the Story of the “Original Jimmy”

The Boston Globe Tells the Story of the “Original Jimmy”

In honor of 75 years of the Jimmy Fund, the daughters of Carl Einar Gustafson—the original “Jimmy”—reflect on their memories of Dana-Farber, the Jimmy Fund, Dr. Sidney Farber, and their father’s legacy. Read the story.

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