In the life cycle of discovery, translational research thrives in the space between basic science and clinical application. Whereas basic scientists unravel the func-tion of genes and structure of proteins, translational scientists validate therapies

at the preclinical stage and evaluate drug efficacy in animal models—imperative research relevant to all types of cancers.

In recognition of the vital need to train the next generation of translational oncologists to fulfill their pivotal roles, the $1 million Wong Family Fellowship in Translational Oncology will support the work of young investigators selected through a competitive process overseen by Dana-Farber’s Chief Clinical Research Officer Philip Kantoff, MD, and Chief Scientific Officer Barrett Rollins, MD, PhD.

The endowed fellowship will live in perpetuity, attract the very best physician-scientists to pursue translational oncology at the Institute, and optimize their skills to shape powerful, genomics-driven clinical trials.

“There is an old Chinese saying, ‘It is better to deliver coal to those in need in a snowstorm than to offer embellishments to someone who owns a luxurious brocade,’” said Institute Trustee Winnie Wong, PhD. “We have seen many new cancer medicines emerge in the last decade and wish to support this in our small way. We hope that encouraging young oncologists by supporting them early in their careers will have an impact on new discoveries.”

The Wong family’s gift comes at a revolutionary time in 21st century cancer medicine, as oncologists inch closer to defining a patient’s cancer based on unique genetic and molecular characteristics. In contrast to programs that scan particular types of tumors for a small number of gene mutations, Dana-Farber’s newly launched Profile initiative offers to test tumor samples for nearly 500 cancer mutations in 41 genes for all adults who walk through our doors. However, all

Joan S. Batchelder’s loyalty, generosity, love of life, and sense of humor stood her in good stead throughout her life, including the 23 years she lived with breast cancer.

During her lifetime, she always made time for people—this included bringing donuts for airline check-in personnel each time she flew between her homes in Arizona and Massachusetts. She adopted a border terrier and named him Fenway. And her propensity to get lost was legendary: In Arizona’s Red Rock National Park, where she volunteered as a guide and naturalist, she would take a group by the same place twice, shrugging off puzzled looks by explaining the park was so spectacular, some places simply needed to be seen more than once.

Batchelder began working in financial services in the late 1960s. She not only excelled in what was then a male-dominated field—eventually rising to Fixed-Income Chief and Senior Vice President at Massachusetts Financial Services—she was also celebrated as a mentor. Today, the men and women she hired are now leading the company.

“Joanie was an exceptionally hard working and successful business woman and an even better person,” said her nephew Bill Barton. “She was by far the most generous individual I have ever known—generous in giving but also in her commitment to friends in all walks of her life.”

Batchelder made a remarkable bequest—the third largest in Dana-Farber history—by designating the Institute as the beneficiary of her retirement fund. Averse to attention or fanfare, she made the gift in support of breast cancer research

Volume 15 • Issue 1

continued on page 9

Impactdana-farber.org and jimmyfund.org THANKING THOSE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WINTER 2012

The late Bing Sound Wong (right), with his wife, Lai-Ching Law. The Wong Family Fellowship in Translational Oncology is a longstanding commitment to the next generation of translational oncologists at Dana-Farber.

8Hyundai’s Hope

9Measures to Cure Melanoma

4Philanthropic Purchases

3Great Genes

6Connecting Colon Cancer and Crohn’s

Bequest honors doctors’ dedication

The Wong Family Fellowship supports researchers at the tipping point

Joan Batchelder, who loved her dog Fenway, made a bequest in support of Myles Brown, MD, and Judy Garber, MD, MPH. Joan is remembered for her zeal for life and generosity.

continued on page 9

Impact WINTER 20122

Impact WINTER 2012Volume 15 • Issue 1

This issue covers gifts received and finalized through the end of 2011.

President and Chief Executive Officer Edward J. Benz Jr., MD

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dorothy E. Puhy, MBA

Chair, Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care Susan D. Block, MD

Chair, Medical Oncology James D. Griffin, MD

Chair, Radiation Oncology Jay R. Harris, MD

Chair, Executive Committee for Research David M. Livingston, MD

Chair, Pediatric Oncology Stuart H. Orkin, MD

Senior Vice President, Finance Karen S. Bird, MPH

Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Chief Governance Officer Richard S. Boskey, Esq.

Senior Vice President, Research Beverly Ginsburg Cooper, MBA

Senior Vice President, Experimental Therapeutics George D. Demetri, MD

Senior Vice President, Human Resources Deborah Hicks, MA

Senior Vice President, Experimental Medicine Lee M. Nadler, MD

Senior Vice President, Development and the Jimmy Fund Susan S. Paresky, MBA

Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services; Chief Nurse Patricia Reid Ponte, RN, DNSc, FAAN

Senior Vice President, Communications Steven R. Singer, MPA

Chief Clinical Research Officer Philip W. Kantoff, MD

Chief Quality Officer Joseph Jacobson, MD

Chief Scientific Officer Barrett J. Rollins, MD, PhD

Chief of Staff Stephen E. Sallan, MD

Chief Medical Officer; Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs; Chief, General Oncology,

Medical Oncology Lawrence N. Shulman, MD

Chief Surgical Officer Scott J. Swanson, MD

Chief of Radiology Annick D. Van den Abbeele, MD

Impact Editor Diane Schmidt

Contributors Amy Chambers, Brenda Chroniak, Katie Connors, Paul Goldsmith, Kelsie Guerriero,

Erin McVeigh, Daniel Morris, Liz Nelson, Maria O’Meara, Diane Schmidt, Jackie Shydlowski, Jennifer

Skala, Monica Zurlinden

Art Director Alan Caplan

Designer Sharon Veino

Production Coordinators Maria Cipicchio, Kate Harper

Photographers Shahar Azran, Lucien Capehart, Sydney Costello, John Deputy, David Giagrando,

Drew Hymen, Channing Johnson, Justin Knight, Lindsey Larsen, Kelly Lauriat, Sam Ogden,

Aaron Washington

Impact is a newsletter of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute published by the Division of Development and

the Jimmy Fund. To be removed from our mailing list, please contact:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund Division of Development 10 Brookline Place West, 6th FloorBrookline, MA 02445-7226617-632-3019 or 800-52-JIMMYor visit jimmyfund.org/opt-out

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute provides expert, compassionate care to children and adults and is home

to groundbreaking cancer discoveries. Since its founding in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised millions

of dollars through thousands of community efforts to advance Dana-Farber’s lifesaving mission.

Dear Friends,

Dr. Sidney Farber’s goal for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute was to create a strong foundation of total patient-focused care balanced with cutting-edge research. He also knew when world-class scientists and clinical investigators work seamlessly across disciplines, departments, and institutional boundaries, the best science ideas from the lab are converted quickly to the clinic for use in patients.

In recent years, Dana-Farber has invested in initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure for clinical and translational research, and developing the next generation of physician-scientists to lead innovative investigations across all disciplines. In this issue of Impact, we thank those whose generosity is further advancing the collaborative approach that is the hallmark of Dana-Farber’s equal missions of research and care.

We are grateful to Joan S. Batchelder for a remarkable bequest supporting breast cancer research under both Dr. Myles Brown and Dr. Judy Garber. Joan, a loyal donor to Dana-Farber for 14 years, recognized the potential in Dr. Brown’s research and valued the dedicated care she received from Dr. Garber. I met Joan not too long before she passed away. Her spirit and passion were strong, and she was determined that Dana-Farber have her support to carry on research focused on finding new cures that would help those who follow her.

We also say thank you to Institute Trustee Winnie Wong for her $1 million gift establishing the Wong Family Fellowship in Translational Oncology, capitalizing on Dana-Farber’s strength as a leader in teamwork by funding a promising scientist who will work to advance Dana-Farber’s personalized medicine agenda. Her admirable commitment to the next generation of talented investigators in cancer research will help develop the right drug, for the right patient, at the right time across all disease forms of cancer.

Additionally, we thank Suzanne and Robert Tomsich for their $1 million gift to name the Robert J. Tomsich Family Gallery, which houses the Gene Display. This gift pays homage to the science and patient care that Dana-Farber is so well-known for, as each gene within the Gene Display represents not only the innovative technology being used by cancer researchers, but also the inspirational messages of hope and love from patients, their friends, families, and caregivers.

All of us at Dana-Farber remain focused on Dr. Farber’s vision of a cancer institute equally committed to patient care and research as we work each day to conquer this devastating disease. Ultimately, it is your loyal and tremendous generosity that is helping us reach our goal. For that, we could not be more grateful. Thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Susan S. Paresky Senior Vice President for Development

Pivotal philanthropy: Leveraging donor generosity into government funding

While the United States government’s support of medical research continues to tighten, Dana-Farber remains a major recipient of federal funding, securing more than $200 million in 2011. The Institute was

in the top 5 percent of recipients, among independent hospitals nationwide, of grants from such federal funding sources as the National Cancer Institute, one of 27 institutes and centers comprising its parent agency, the National Institutes of Health. In addition, grants from the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, federal stimulus funding, and subcontracts have also been awarded to Dana-Farber physician-scientists. This achievement is all the more impressive given the small size of our faculty base relative to peer cancer centers across the country.

Despite the erosion of the federal funding base for biomedical research for nearly a decade, Dana-Farber has seen an increase in government support over the last four years. This success reflects not just the outstanding research of our faculty, but also the critical role of our generous and committed donors.

Government grants cannot be secured without first providing outcomes from novel research to prove additional funding is needed. Physician-scientists pursuing these new investigations must have preliminary data to support their ideas, and this critical research is supported largely by private philanthropy.

Our donors are crucial to increased government support, because seed funding—through gifts such as those included in every issue of Impact—allows these promising projects to get off the ground and enables investigators, armed with real data, to pursue federal grants with a greater chance of success.

Even when this cutting-edge research shows the promise of a potential new therapy and leads to lifesaving clinical trials funded through federal support, these trials may not be fully funded. This is again where private philanthropy plays a critical role in ensuring these trials are able to run, bringing more lifesaving treatments from the lab to patients’ bedsides.

Leveraging gifts from donors into substantial government awards has allowed Dana-Farber to continue to distinguish itself as a national leader in cancer research in spite of a challenging funding climate. Through this potent combination of pioneering science and private philanthropy, DFCI continues to make significant progress in the fight against cancer. n

Make your gift online at dana-farber.org/give

Private philanthropy helps fuel fledgling research and, in turn, allows Dana-Farber to apply for and win federal funding.

Impact WINTER 2012 3

Impact is available online at JimmyFund.org/Impact

Tomsich Family Gallery: Chipping away at the boundaries of science and medicine

A rchitecture meets science, technology, and medicine at the Gene Display located in the Robert J. Tomsich Family Gallery at Dana-Farber. Illumi-nating lights from 2,600 squares, 13 rows deep, glow and fade to muted

shades of red and blue along the corridor on the P2 level of the Institute’s Yawkey Center for Cancer Care.

“The lighting gives you a calming and beautiful feeling that there is a star in the sky honoring a loved one for whatever reasons you choose,” said Robert Tomsich, who, together with his wife, Suzanne, made a $1 million gift to Dana-Farber to name the gallery.

The Gene Display is a representation of a microarray, an innovative technology that Dana-Farber researchers utilize to uncover important genetic information that enlightens targeted cancer drug development. Acting like a tiny laboratory on a silicon rectangle the size of a postage stamp, the microarray measures gene expression and converts the data into a vivid, colorful display representing genetic activity. Red indicates a high level of activity and blue a low level.

“Suzanne and Robert have made a generous and heartfelt commitment to help make personalized medicine a reality for our patients,” said Kenneth Anderson, MD, director of the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center and LeBow Institute at Dana-Farber, and Kraft Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “Their gift will improve our capacity to determine who is likely to respond to which treatment, and thereby markedly improve patient outcomes.”

Technologies like the microarray make it possible for scientists to classify tumors by their unique gene signatures, allowing more accurate diagnoses and ultimately more tailored therapies for cancer patients. Stratifying information in this way is important because cancer is a disease that involves the alteration of any

of the 25,000 genes that comprise the human genome.

Each square in the Tomsich Family Gallery represents a gene, and can be inscribed with a message of hope or tribute so that donors can leave a lasting personal mark on cancer research.

“When I first saw the gallery, I was impressed with the inscriptions on each square that were embedded in people’s emotions,” said Tomsich. “When you have someone in your family with cancer, it makes you feel connected to others when you walk down the corridor and read messages from people who share the same emotions.”

Tomsich was moved by the idea that many people could participate in the Gene Display by naming a gene with a personal message or in honor of a family member, friend, or caregiver. “The gallery really does tell you the journey people take when they are afflicted with cancer,” said Tomsich. “We are proud to have our name associated with the Dana-Farber culture and spirit.” n

Suzanne and Robert J. Tomsich, whose generous gift named the Robert J. Tomsich Family Gallery in the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care.

Investing in cures, a legacy lives on

Connie Tranter was the light and spark of her family. She was a passionate individual

who loved to cook, bake, and spend hours in the garden. Each year Tranter and her husband, Robert, would grow more than 400 garlic plants and give them to family and friends. A 20-year survivor of esophageal cancer, Tranter was an avid exerciser, and before her pass-ing from multiple myeloma, was named “the most active senior” by her local YMCA.

Tranter’s zest for life inspired her husband to establish a $500,000 charitable gift annuity (CGA) in her memory at Dana-Farber. A CGA is established when a monetary contribution is made to Dana-Farber, and, in return, the Institute pays the annuitant who made the gift—or another person of their choosing—a fixed income for life.

Though Tranter was not treated at Dana-Farber, Robert wanted the gift he was making in her honor to have a lasting impact. After some considerable research, he decided his support would unequivocally make the most difference at the Institute. The CGA will support the work of Kenneth Anderson, MD, director of the Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma and the LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics at Dana-Farber, and Kraft Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

“Making a financial contribution to Dana-Farber means supporting an institution that is not only involved with patient care, but also research,” said Robert. “I, for one, was motivated to support research of multiple myeloma so that no one will have to endure the pain and suffering my wife went through. To be able to see your dollars help make people’s lives better and go toward a breakthrough is very rewarding.”

Multiple myeloma, an incurable form of cancer typically found in the bone marrow, is managed through a combination of therapies. Anderson and his team have been at the forefront of many significant advances in the field, and his cutting-edge research will continue to improve treatments for the disease.

“This heartfelt support is a gift of optimism for patients around the world,” said Anderson. “It will inspire our ongoing research to develop personalized therapies, which improve outcome and quality of life for patients with myeloma.” n

Robert Tranter honors the memory of his late wife, Connie, with a gift to advance multiple myeloma research being conducted by Kenneth Anderson, MD.

The Ellison Medical Foundation recognizes excellence in aging research

The Ellison Medical Foundation, in its mission to foster creativity in biomedical research, recently

awarded a $400,000 New Scholar in Aging grant to Dana-Farber’s Timur Yusufzai, PhD. The focus of this pro-gram is understanding how humans and other organisms age. To that end, this award will support research by Yu-sufzai into the characterization of novel cellular enzymes and their relationship to aging and aging-related disorders.

“New discoveries in health care and disease prevention have the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life of millions of individuals,” said Richard Sprott, PhD, executive director of the Ellison Medical Foundation. “Significant breakthroughs in understanding the biological processes that underlie aging and age-related diseases are the best hope we have for achieving genuine prevention or amelioration of age-related debilitation and sickness.”

Yusufzai uses biochemical and cell-based approaches to study a family of motor enzymes known as helicases. These enzymes unwind and rewind DNA, maintaining the DNA’s integrity. Defects in these enzymes can lead to DNA instability—a hallmark of cancer, which has increasingly been demonstrated to be a disease of aging—and impact normal cellular growth and human health.

“Preserving the natural structure of DNA by helicases and helicase-related factors is essential for proper cellular growth and activity,” said Yusufzai. “This generous award will help us to increase our understanding of how these enzymes function and to design future treatments for many diseases and aging-related disorders.” n

“This generous award will help us to increase our understanding of how these enzymes function and to design future treatments for many diseases and aging-related disorders.” — DFCI physician/scientist Timur Yusufzai, PhD

Impact WINTER 20124

IWMF grant powers studies to decode the origins of Waldenström’s

Another step forward in the fight against breast cancer

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer: A sweet way to save lives

In 1997, Tom Myers Jr. was diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a rare form of lymphoma. Myers and his wife began researching the disease, and learned about a pharmacist, Arnold Smokler, who had established a foundation

in 1994 for Waldenström’s patients like Myers.Today, the International Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation

(IWMF) has a worldwide membership of nearly 4,000 and recently awarded $217,880 to the research of Dana-Farber’s Steven Treon, MD, PhD. Myers is now vice president for research at the IWMF and chairs the research committee responsible for selecting exceptional preclinical research projects from a pool of highly competitive proposals. Since 2002, the IWMF has awarded more than $1.2 million to the Bing Center for Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia at Dana-Farber.

“We are so fortunate to have Dana-Farber devote so much effort to Waldenström’s,” said Myers. “Initially, I was treated with a strong agent that caused many side effects. A lot has changed since then, and new drugs are now being designed for particular types of cancers including Waldenström’s.”

Myers said the IWMF was particularly excited about a discovery Treon presented in December at the American Society of Hematology’s annual meeting, identifying for the first time a gene mutation that underlies the majority of Waldenström’s cases. The results point to a prime target for new therapies.

“We are grateful for the longstanding generosity of the IWMF,” said Treon. “We have long awaited the day that we could start developing targeted agents for Waldenström’s, much in the way that Gleevec® was developed for chronic myelo-genous leukemia, a disease which previously was treated with therapies that produced considerable toxicity. The IWMF helped us get to this important milestone.” n

The Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY), QVC, Inc., and the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation (FFCF) joined forces once again to host the 18th annual “FFANY Shoes on Sale®,” a black-tie gala and

shoe sale benefiting breast cancer research and education at seven renowned cancer institutions, including Dana-Farber.

Guests who attended the black-tie gala Oct. 15 at New York’s Waldorf Astoria, listened as personal finance expert and 2011 Shoes on Sale spokesperson Suze Orman said they were “approved to help put an end to breast cancer” and enjoy a night of live music, dinner, and shopping for fabulous shoes.

In addition, QVC’s “FFANY Shoes on Sale” broadcast Oct. 13 featured more than 90,000 pairs of shoes representing more than 80 brands, offered at half the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

Since 1994, “FFANY Shoes on Sale” has sold more than 1.5 million pairs of shoes and contributed more than $35 million to breast cancer research. Of that, nearly $5 million has been raised for the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber.

“We are extremely grateful to QVC and FFANY for hosting this event,” said Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, clinical director of the Breast Oncology Program at Dana-Farber. “The funds raised directly support research that will take findings from the laboratory and bring them to the clinic, translating to more women getting better therapy for this disease.” n

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer helps pediatric oncology researchers at leading cancer centers accelerate their investigations of new, less toxic therapies for children fighting cancer by raising funds through local bake sales and

online cookie sales. “Our relationship with Dana-Farber and

the Jimmy Fund allows us to support some of the most talented researchers in this field—people who are working each day to push the boundaries of science in an effort to bring new and improved therapies to children fighting cancer,” said Larry and Gretchen Witt, founders of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

The foundation recently awarded grants of $100,000 each to Dana-Farber’s Rani E. George, MD, PhD, and Kimberly Stegmaier,

MD, to further their investigations in novel therapies for neuroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma.

“We have identified a new drug target candidate in the pediatric solid tumor Ewing sarcoma. Funding from Cookies for Kid’s Cancer will be instrumental in our performing the necessary in vitro and in vivo studies to validate this target,” said Stegmaier. “Because inhibitors of this protein are already being tested in adults with solid tumors, these studies could lead to a clinical trial for pediatric patients suffering from Ewing sarcoma.”

“The Cookies for Kids’ Cancer funding will help us test an innovative idea of developing an ALK receptor-targeted vaccine for children with high-risk neuroblastoma,” said George. “With limited federal funding available, we are extremely grateful for a foundation like Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which is giving our research a chance.” n

Left to right: Mike George, QVC president and CEO; Dana-Farber’s Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, and clinical director of the Breast Oncology program at Dana-Farber; Daniel Schwartz, chairman of FFANY and CEO of Schwartz & Benjamin, Inc.; and Joe Moore, FFANY president and CEO, at the 18th annual “FFANY Shoes on Sale” gala in New York.

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“Our relationship with Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund allows us to support some of the most talented researchers in this field—people who are working each day to push the boundaries of science in an effort to bring new and improved therapies to children fighting cancer.” — Larry and Gretchen Witt, founders of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer

Impact WINTER 2012 5

Generosity on display: Donor ribbon-cuttings at the Yawkey Center

Bill Murphy (second from left), who named a vitals bay in the Yawkey Center, with (left to right) daughter Kerryn, wife Cynthia, and son Doug.

Institute Trustee Nader Darehshori supported the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care by naming an exam room in the building.

Institute Trustee Jonathan Lavine (second from right) with (left to right) parents Jerrold and Barbara, wife Jeannie, and brother Marc Lavine at the Lavine Family Central Registration ribbon-cutting ceremony.

N aming a space in Dana-Farber’s Yawkey Center for Cancer Care is a way for our donors to permanently link their names to Dana-Farber’s history while supporting its future. These named spaces not only connect our

donors with the work that happens every day in the Yawkey Center, they also help translate our mission to eradicate cancer into tangible places where research and patient care come together every day. To honor these generous supporters who have named spaces in the Yawkey Center since its opening in January 2011, we have held ceremonial ribbon-cuttings, to recognize their generosity. n

YAWKEY CENTER FOR CANCER CARED A N A FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE

Make a lasting impact in the Yawkey CenterMake a gift that forever links your name—or that of a loved one—with Dana-Farber’s Yawkey Center for Cancer Care. Many special naming opportunities, both large and small, are available!

dana-farber.org/YCCCFor more information, contact Patty Stewart Brent at 617-632-2443.

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Family gift galvanizes support for personalized cancer medicine

C ancer touches the lives of millions of people each year, whether through a personal diagnosis or one striking family and friends. The lives of Scott and Donna Semel have been particularly affected by this disease with

Scott’s parents, brother, and cousins battling cancer, primarily of the lung. An exhaustive search for the best possible care brought the Semels to Dana-Farber’s David Kwiatkowski, MD, PhD, whom they are now supporting with a gift to establish the Semel Family Lung Cancer Research Fund. The fund supports the development of diagnostic and screening technologies to identify suspect genetic mutations implicated in lung cancers.

“When I heard about the progress being made in genetic research at Dana-Farber, I wanted to contribute and have an impact on families going through what we have,” said Scott Semel. “Instead of patients having months to live, personalized medicine initiatives have the potential to offer far longer survival.”

Kwiatkowski is creating two novel tumor analysis systems. The first will identify genomic amplifications, which are thought to be important drivers of tumor growth. The second will capture a greater number and range of molecular mutations in a single test.

“The Semel family gift provides us with the support necessary to expedite our goal of providing patients with treatment customized to the genetics of their particular tumor.” said

Kwiatkowski. “More people die from lung cancer in the United States than any other cancer, and solving the mysteries of what drives this cancer could translate into effective treatments across the spectrum of disease.” n

Scott Semel credits the expertise and overall quality of care received from David Kwiatkowski, MD, PhD and Dana-Farber for prolonging his father’s life.

Impact WINTER 20126

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the American Association for Cancer Research fund innovative research

The ultimate vote of confidence

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) granted a $200,000 Career Development Award to Dimitrios Iliopoulos, PhD, a researcher in Dana-Farber’s Department of

Cancer Immunology and AIDS and an assistant professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School. This two-year grant will further his innovative work focused on understanding and treating pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and AACR grants program aims to build a strong pancreatic cancer research community; to encourage collaboration, information-sharing, and innovation; and to expedite scientific and medical breakthroughs to benefit patients.

Iliopoulos was one of 10 outstanding scientists across the country to receive a grant through this program.

“As we work to double the survival rate for pancreatic cancer by 2020, we are committed to building a comprehensive and coordinated pancreatic cancer research community to speed the acquisition of knowledge, share information, and move findings into practice,” said Julie Fleshman, president and chief executive officer of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

One of the goals of Iliopoulos’ study is to learn more about the role of an inflammatory network of specific cells in the growth of pancreatic cancer. The study also aims to identify drugs that can target this network of cells.

“Funding from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the AACR has given a tremendous boost to initiate my independent research program in pancreatic cancer,” Iliopoulos said. n

Founded in 1952, the Ambrose Monell Foundation supports leading scientific, charitable, and educational organizations throughout the nation. Since 2002, the Foundation has made a steadfast commitment to Dana-Farber. In 2010

and 2011, it made two unrestricted grants to Dana-Farber totaling $350,000.

“The Foundation considers Dana-Farber to be an outstanding institute devoted to cancer research and patient care,” said George Rowe, Jr., president of the Ambrose Monell Foundation. “Grants are of unrestricted funds, for the Foundation believes that, in the fight against cancer, Dana-Farber knows the uses to which to put the funds better than the Foundation.” n

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Thanks to unrestricted support from the Ambrose Monell Foundation, Dana-Farber has the flexibility to pursue new research initiatives.

Collaborating to discover link between Crohn’s disease and colon cancer

A grant of $130,000 from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is

supporting research by Dana-Farber investigator Dimitrios Iliopoulos, PhD, to uncover how inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease can lead to colorectal cancer. Larry Turka, MD, and Arlene Sharpe, MD, PhD, co-directors of the Harvard Institute of Translational Immunology, adminis-tered the grant and were responsible for selecting recipients.

“Dr. Iliopoulos’ research into understanding how normal cells transform into malignant cells has the potential to tell us a lot more about Crohn’s disease,” explained Turka. “Additionally, we were looking for researchers who could step outside the boundaries of their individual laboratories and come together to attack key problems in a disease. Our goal is to nurture collaborations among labs and develop a community that can attract others to work on these big problems.”

As part of this community-building effort, Turka and Sharpe paired Iliopoulos with Laurie Glimcher, MD, who studies the causes of inflammation in Crohn’s disease at the Harvard School of Public Health. With funding from the Helmsley Trust, the two labs are now working together to tackle the complex mechanisms that trigger inflammation and set off genetic mutations that drive colon cancer.

“Laurie and I are joining forces to discover the role of specific molecular circuits in linking inflammation to colon oncogenesis,” said Iliopoulos. “Funding from the Helmsley Trust is allowing us to make powerful connections that will facilitate the development of novel therapies for patients with Crohn’s disease.” n

DFCI’s Dimitrios Iliopoulos, PhD, and researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health are working together to discover a critical link between Crohn’s disease and colon cancer.

Impact WINTER 2012 7

Kimmel Foundation supports innovative pancreatic cancer research

Cancer Research Institute supports the future of colorectal cancer treatment

P ancreatic cancer affects more than 44,000 Americans every year. Difficult to diagnose and resistant to most forms of chemotherapy, it is the nation’s fourth leading cause of cancer death. Dana-Farber researcher Dimitrios

Iliopoulos, PhD, has identified a possible link between a network of inflammatory cells and the onset of pancreatic cancer that may open the door to novel, effective methods of treating this devastating disease.

In recognition of this finding, the Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research honored Iliopoulos with its annual Kimmel Scholar Award. Iliopoulos was selected from a pool of more than 150 applicants, and will receive a $200,000 grant distributed over two years.

“We look for young investigators who show great promise,” said Kimmel Foundation Administrative Director Gary I. Cohen, MD.

The Kimmel Scholar Award is designed to recognize innovative scientists who are not yet able to qualify for federal funding.

“The goal of this award is to support Dr. Iliopoulos until he has

enough data to get the attention of the National Institutes of Health,” added Cohen. “We believe he is ready to fly.” The flexible funding provided by the Kimmel Foundation will support Iliopoulos as he further investigates the role of inflammation in pancreatic cancer.

“This award will enable me to explore new strategies for pancreatic cancer,” said Iliopoulos, who will be testing several drugs he believes may target the inflammatory network involved. “I am deeply honored by the Kimmel Foundation’s recognition.” n

D imitrios Iliopoulos, PhD, is a rising star at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He is examining the connections between chronic inflammation and colon cancer and, with the help of a Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Investigator

Award, will expand this innovative research in hopes of developing clinical applica-tions, furthering Dana-Farber’s “bench-to-bedside” philosophy.

CRI’s Investigator Award Program, which will support Iliopoulos with $200,000 over the next four years, recognizes accomplished assistant professors undertaking their first independent investigations in immunology. Recipients can utilize the funds at their discretion, providing researchers like Iliopoulos with a degree of flexibility that is rare in these kinds of awards.

“We selected Dr. Iliopoulos, in part, because of his past proven success,” said Cancer Research Institute Chief Executive Officer and Director of Scientific Affairs Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, PhD. “His previous studies have led to clinical trials in breast cancer, and if he sees the same results in colorectal cancer, it will completely open up new avenues for treating and addressing the global cancer problem.”

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world, and Iliopoulos is working to explore how the pathways that cause inflammatory bowel disease can also contribute to cancer.

“This funding has helped me to significantly expand my research program. I am grateful to the Cancer Research Institute and humbled to follow in the footsteps of previous recipients who are now leaders in the field,” said Iliopoulos. n

Join our fi ght against cancer.

To learn more, please contact Alice Tobin Zaff,

director of Gift Planning, at 800-535-5577 or

email Alice_Zaff@dfci.harvard.edu.

Establish a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) at Dana-Farber Cancer

Institute. In return, Dana-Farber will pay you a fi xed income for life,

a portion of which is tax-free. Your gift of cash or securities creates

an opportunity like no other: to aid in our lifesaving mission while

receiving a guaranteed rate of return for the rest of your life.

Support from organizations such as the Kimmel Foundation help Dana-Farber scientists like Dimitrios Iliopoulos, PhD, further cutting-edge research into pancreatic cancer.

Strike Out Cancer dishes up a new record

For the past few summers, restaurant goers have been invited to show their support for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund through the Taco Bell/KFC/Pizza Hut “Strike Out Cancer” pin-up campaign. In 2011, the promotion

expanded beyond restaurants and added The Paper Store as an additional partner. From July 13 to Aug. 3, 223 locations across New England invited customers

to give $1, $3, or $5 to the Jimmy Fund in exchange for a baseball pin-up that could be personalized with a name or message. The pin-ups were then displayed

at participating locations, encouraging others to give. “Strike Out Cancer” raised more than $205,000 for the first time in its history.

Institute Trustee Roger Lockwood has been instrumental in orchestrating the partnership between Taco Bell and Dana-Farber. He was thrilled by the benchmark achievement this year.

“It just goes to show that when people come together and give what they can, the results are tremendous,” said Lockwood. “I couldn’t be happier that ‘Strike Out Cancer’ continues to

grow and provide ever-increasing funding for Dana-Farber. I have been a trustee of the Institute for three decades, and every year leaves me more impressed than the last with Dana-Farber’s commitment to cancer research and the patients it serves.” n

™

Impact WINTER 20128

Get involved, have fun, and beat cancer — visit JimmyFund.org today

Hyundai Hope on Wheels® supports Ewing sarcoma research

Ninety Nine Restaurants and its guests hungry to help fight cancer

E arly diagnosis and non-invasive treatments for solid tumors, known as sarco-mas, remain challenges in medicine today. However, new research at Dana-Farber provides hope. Two grants from Hyundai Hope on Wheels totaling

$250,000 will fund the innovative Ewing sarcoma research of Brian Crompton, MD, and Allison O’Neill, MD, pediatric oncologists at the Jimmy Fund Clinic.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels®, a non-profit organization committed to the fight against childhood cancer, is supported by Hyundai Motor America and more than 800 Hyundai dealers nationwide.

Crompton received a $150,000 Scholar Grant to investigate an enzyme known as FAK, which may drive Ewing sarcoma growth. The study will also test existing FAK-inhibitors currently in trials for other diseases that could restrict the growth of Ewing sarcoma tumors, leading to cures with fewer treatment side effects.

“Without foundations like Hyundai Hope on Wheels that focus on pediatric cancers, we could not do any of our research,” Crompton said. “I cannot emphasize enough how important organizations like this are.”

O’Neill’s $100,000 Hope Grant will further her research to improve the sensitivity of imaging studies to detect and target Ewing sarcoma. The studies’ results may apply to other tumor types, leading to enhanced diagnosis and disease monitoring.

“If we can more accurately detect microscopic disease, it may impact the way we treat patients and improve overall outcome,” O’Neill said. “Hyundai recognizes the importance of funding Ewing sarcoma research, and I am exceptionally grateful.” n

H eadquartered in Woburn, Mass., Ninety Nine Restaurants has supported Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund since 2006 when Dave Lanzoni, then regional vice president, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly

thereafter. Lanzoni’s colleague Jim Kiley created Team Lanzoni to honor him as a mentor and friend by raising funds for Dana-Farber. Year after year, Team Lanzoni’s efforts grow, and summer 2011 marked the first time the Ninety Nine Restaurants offered its guests the chance to join the fight against cancer. At 105 locations from July 12 to August 7, customers had the opportunity to add $1 to their check to support the Jimmy Fund.

This program, combined with two mini-golf tournaments and Lanzoni Teams of Pan-Mass Challenge cyclists and Falmouth Road Race runners, generated $345,000 for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. The collective generosity and commitment of the Ninety Nine Restaurants’ customers and members of Team Lanzoni resulted in record-breaking support this year.

“It is remarkable to see the amount of money raised in Dave’s memory through the road races and other individual efforts,” said John R. Grady, president of Ninety Nine Restaurants, and a Pan-Mass Challenge participant. “As the passion for the cause continues to grow within our teams, we are excited to extend this enthusiasm to our guests and give them an opportunity to give to such a great cause. We were honored by their generosity.” n

Allison O’Neill, MD, and Brian Crompton, MD, received their grants from Hyundai Hope on Wheels at a presentation during the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai Sept. 18, 2011. These grants are two examples of Hyundai’s generosity to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund in 2011, which totaled more than $680,000.

Presenting a check from the Ninety Nine Restaurants’ 2011 fundraising initiatives are (from left): Betsy Martin, Jason Goodrow, Brant Fahle, Jim Kiley, Charlie Noyes, John Grady, Bob Luz, and Jon Freedman.

“As the passion for the cause continues to grow within our teams, we are excited to extend this enthusiasm to our guests and give them an opportunity to give to such a great cause. We were honored by their generosity.” — John R. Grady, Ninety Nine Restaurants President

RallyAgainstCancer.org

DRESS FOR SOX-CESS

GIVE $5 TO THE JIMMY FUND AND WEAR YOUR SOX GEAR TO WORK ON OPENING DAYAPRIL 13FENWAY

OPENING DAYEAR NG DAY

Impact WINTER 2012 9

at Dana-Farber as she had her previous generous gifts—very quietly. A firm believer in innovation and new ideas, she had deep respect for the research of Myles Brown, MD, director of the Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, and the exceptional, compassionate care she received from Judy Garber, MD, MPH, director of the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Center. Her bequest honors them both.

“She also loved her nurse, Dinah Collins,” added Barton. “My aunt described her as an extraordinary individual and friend.”

A charitable gift made through a will or trust is a simple and powerful way to make an impact in the fight against cancer at Dana-Farber. Batchelder’s bequest in support of Brown’s and Garber’s research will have a profound impact in the fight against cancer at Dana-Farber.

“Joan’s vision and generosity have been of vital importance as we have worked to unravel the contributing factors driving the growth of cancers that depend on estrogen and why some of these cancers become resistant to estrogen-blocking therapies,” explained Brown.

Of the 210,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year, 70 percent will have disease fueled by estrogen. Understanding how some of these tumors circumvent treatment and go on to spread into other areas of the body is critical.

“Joan’s legacy will be felt by so many,” said Garber. “Her thoughts were for the patients who would follow her, and her faith in the power of science to change lives inspires all of us.” n

Christin Holbrook Harding Fund fuels the fight against melanoma

Christin Holbrook Harding lives by a simple credo: hope is proactive. When this accomplished designer, philanthropist, chef, and mother of three was diagnosed with melanoma in July 2011, she was not about to sit

on the sidelines. “I want to do more than just get an immunotherapy drip,” said Harding, who

rallied friends and family to help advance melanoma research. In September 2011, Harding and her family made a $100,000 gift to establish

the Christin Holbrook Harding Fund for Melanoma Research. The fund will support the research of F. Stephen Hodi, MD, director of the Melanoma Center at Dana-Farber. As a patient of Dr. Hodi, Harding is being treated with ipilimumab, a revolutionary new immunotherapy that Hodi helped pioneer. Recognizing that Hodi’s success with ipilimumab was made possible through the philanthropy of others, Harding was determined to help fund the next breakthrough.

“I believe that Dr. Hodi and his team are the embodiment of creative, action-oriented, and persistent hope,” Harding said. “By getting involved with the fundraising effort, I can take the pressure off Dr. Hodi and let him do what he’s best at—finding new ways to defeat this awful disease.” Hodi is now working to identify and target new genetic mutations to improve the care and treatment of late-stage melanoma patients.

“Without the courage and generosity of donors, the current shortfall of funding threatens to derail our best efforts to develop new treatments for melanoma,” said Hodi. “We are extremely grateful for the support of the Christin Holbrook Harding Fund.” n

The Christin Holbrook Harding Fund for Melanoma Research is dedicated to funding the next breakthrough in melanoma treatment. The fund is named for Harding, pictured above.

Batchelder estate gift continued from page 1 Wong family gift continued from page 1

On Feb. 16, members of the Jimmy Fund Golf community were recognized at Golf

Appreciation Night for their commitment and passion to conquer cancer through golf.

The annual event, held at the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care, recognized a successful

2011 season of more than 150 tournaments, of which 28 were new, and raised nearly

$6.5 million for the Jimmy Fund.

Named in honor of the former Boston Red Sox sportscaster, the Ken Coleman Extra Mile

Award is presented at the event to outstanding tournament volunteers who go above

and beyond to support Dana Farber’s mission. This year’s recipients pictured with Jimmy

Fund Director Suzanne Fountain were (left to right) Mike McKnight of the Stop & Shop/

Donovan-Carlson Memorial Jimmy Fund Golf Classic, which has raised nearly $2 million

in its 20-year history, and Andy Cohen of the Stockbridge Jimmy Fund Golf Tournament,

whose tireless dedication extends beyond Jimmy Fund Golf to being a member of the

Jimmy Fund Council and Dana-Farber Visiting Committee for 25 years.

Golfers honored for driving cancer research

of this genomic information can only help to enrich cancer care if it is coupled with translational science.

“The Wong Family is leading the way in helping young translational investigators with a first-ever fellowship in this area,” said Rollins. “The Wong Family Fellowship in Translational Oncology is an incredible gift that will help to transform the careers of young physician-scientists who are driven to help patients by making life-enhancing, targeted cancer drugs available to them in the most effective and expeditious manner possible.”

“Our goal is to enhance the quality and efficiency of clinical research at Dana-Farber,” said Kantoff, director of the Clinical Research Institute that steers investigator-initiated clinical trials at Dana-Farber. “The Wong Family Fellowship will be an important part of the effort.” n

“The Wong Family Fellowship in Translational Oncology is an incredible gift that will help to transform the careers of young physician-scientists.” — DFCI’s Barrett Rollins, MD, PhD

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Division of Development & The Jimmy Fund 10 Brookline Place West, 6th FloorBrookline, MA 02445-7226

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Impactdana-farber.org and jimmyfund.org THANKING THOSE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WINTER 2012

April

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Summer

June 8- July 26

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May 28- July 29

Rosanne’s Rush for Research 5K

Get on the right course to fight cancer®

Become a volunteer for Jimmy Fund Theatre Collections

23rd Annual Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge

Rally Against CancerSM

Music Heals the Soul

A Chance for Kids®

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Reeling in a Dream Fishing Derby

Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby

Cast a line with friends, family, and fishing enthusiasts at Lake Cochichewick in North Andover, Mass., and support the Timothy P. Roberts “Reeling in a Dream” Fund, which grants wishes to young adult patients at Dana-Farber. For more information, visit reelinginadream.org.

The 20th Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby will take place at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake in Pittsfield, Mass. For more information, call 1-800-52-JIMMY.

Support triple-negative breast cancer research at Dana-Farber by participating in the second annual Rosanne’s Rush for Research 5K Run/Walk at Nashua High School South in Nashua, N.H. For more information, contact Brittany Moriarty at 617-632-3492 or brittanyd_moriarty@dfci.harvard.edu.

Jimmy Fund Golf is one of the oldest and largest charity golf programs in the country. To get involved or find out about tournaments in your area, visit jimmyfundgolf.org.

Each summer since 1949, volunteers and personnel at participating New England-area movie theatres invite patrons to give to the Jimmy Fund by passing around collection canisters before the screening of feature films. To become a volunteer, visit jimmyfund.org/volunteer or email jimmyfundevents@dfci.harvard.edu.

Cheer on the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team in the 116th Boston Marathon®. To support a runner or volunteer, contact the Running Programs office at 800-551-7036 or email dfmc@dfci.harvard.edu.

Give $5 to wear your favorite Red Sox gear to work or school on Opening Day at Fenway Park. The top fundraising teams will win a visit from the 2012 Rally Spokesplayer, Daniel Bard. For more information, visit rallyagainstcancer.org or contact Mike DeGuglielmo at 617-632-5420.

Join us at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Mass., for the 5th annual Music Heals the Soul event, raising funds for Dana-Farber’s Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies. For more information, contact Kelsey Duggan at 617-632-3863 or kelsey_duggan@dfci.harvard.edu.

Give $1 to the Jimmy Fund at participating Burger King restaurants May 28–July 29. Every participant receives a promotion card containing a guaranteed prize! For more information, contact Ryan Delaney at 617-582-9675 or ryan_delaney@dfci.harvard.edu.

19 An Evening for Bridget

To be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Boston, evening festivities will be emceed by Kelley Tuthill and will benefit the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer at Dana-Farber. For more information, visit evening4bridget.org or contact Rebecca Freedman at 617-632-5008 or rebecca_freedman@dfci.harvard.edu.

June

5-7 Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl®

Dig in at the nation’s largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival. Presented by FedEx, the 30th annual event will be held from noon to 8 p.m. each day at City Hall Plaza, Boston. For a list of potential flavors and ticket information, visit scooperbowl.org or contact Amy Cronin at 617-632-3613 or scooper_bowl@dfci.harvard.edu.

Former Boston Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez spends time with a Jimmy Fund Clinic patient at New Stars for Young Stars at Jillian’s, Boston.

MAY

7-13 Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer

More than 200 restaurants, bakeries, and cafes participating in Boston Bakes will direct the proceeds from featured desserts to breast cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber. For more information, contact Jessica Budnick at 617-582-7724 or jessica_budnick@dfci.harvard.edu.

17 Haymakers for Hope

Support the fight against cancer by attending this competitive boxing tournament. For more information visit haymakersforhope.org or contact Kelsey Duggan at 617-632-3863 or kelsey_duggan@dfci.harvard.edu.