The Power of Philanthropy in Transforming Pancreatic Cancer Research
The pancreas is a vital organ that produces enzymes to digest food and hormones to regulate blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer can be highly complicated to treat because it is hard to detect and is resistant to many new therapies. It has a five-year survival rate of 12%, yet it remains significantly underfunded.
Furthermore, research on this illness is typically isolated among competitor institutions. Therefore, adopting a more collaborative approach in the search for novel treatments and potential cures is more urgent than ever.
City of Hope is one of the largest and most established cancer research and treatment organisations in the US. The facility was recently awarded $150 million from entrepreneurs and philanthropists A. Emmet Stephenson Jr. and Tessa Stephenson Brand to fund pancreatic cancer research. The gift was set up in honour of Toni Stephenson, A. Emmet Stephenson’s wife who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020.
The $150 million contribution includes the $1 million Stephenson Prize, one of the largest privately funded awards for scientific research. The prize will be awarded to a leading scientist or team making the most promising progress in pancreatic cancer research, treatments, and cures.
The funding, equivalent to approximately two-thirds of the total annual research budget for pancreatic cancer from the National Cancer Institute, will encourage extensive research on pancreatic early detection and treatment.
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Beyond the prize, this generous donation will also drive several critical research initiatives. It will establish a fellowship program to provide grants for pancreatic cancer researchers, fostering the next generation of scientific leaders. Additionally, a pancreatic biorepository at City of Hope will be developed to enhance genomics-based patient care and contribute to the creation of innovative therapies. The funds will also support the development of novel immunotherapies and bolster ongoing advancements at City of Hope’s Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, further expanding the scope of lifesaving cancer treatment.
A. Emmet Stephenson Jr. summarised the goal of the project: “This initiative is a purposeful investment to spur ingenuity and ensure that the most promising advances move forward as fast as possible. We believe City of Hope is an excellent partner for this program to facilitate lifesaving work.”
City of Hope is uniquely positioned to build this innovative and strategic approach to pancreatic research and discovery. As an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centre, City Hope converts cutting-edge research into effective treatments through partnership and scientific collaboration.
The Stephenson Prize for Innovation in pancreatic cancer research and the life-changing $150 million gift to City of Hope, represent a significant step forward in the fight against this devastating disease. Philanthropic efforts like these are key to bridging the funding gap for underfunded cancers such as pancreatic cancer, which remains one of the most challenging to treat.
With the support of initiatives like the Stephenson Prize, City of Hope can accelerate advancements in early detection, innovative treatments, and ultimately, potential cures. By fostering collaboration and investing in cutting-edge technologies, philanthropy can shape the future of cancer treatment, offering renewed hope to patients impacted by pancreatic cancer.
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