I don’t know of anyone who has not been touched by cancer. It is a disease that inflicts immense physical and psychological pain on patients, their families, and friends. My mother-in-law bravely fought cancer for many years—breast cancer first, uterine cancer next, ultimately losing her battle to stomach cancer. She is a constant reminder of why I choose to defy cancer.
My association with Dana-Farber began through the Executive Council of the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers—a forum for women committed to finding cures for women’s cancers. I can think of no better cause to support than the brilliant, courageous, and committed team at Dana-Farber who make it their mission every day to eradicate this disease. There is no other institution with this singular focus. The work they do impacts lives not just in Boston, New England, or the U.S. but also around the world!