Anonymous $250,000 Gift
From the February 2008 issue of e-Momentum
Seeking to provide a resource for patients to receive an early diagnosis of cancer, or even better, prevent cancer altogether, an anonymous couple has made a $250,000 gift to benefit the Women’s Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program. This program was established at the UConn Health Center by a gift from the Marsha Lilien Gladstein Foundation in 2007.
The couple has been deeply affected by cancer, as they have lost several relatives and friends to the disease and recently witnessed a neighbor’s difficult path through diagnosis and treatment. They learned of the program at the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, directed by Molly Brewer, M.D., which matched their desire to help other women fight cancer—and provide a regional center of excellence for all of Connecticut’s citizens.
They were also inspired by the story of a recent $250,000 gift to the program from Gary S. Gladstein ’66 through the Marsha Lilien Gladstein Foundation in memory of his wife, Judi. The gift was in gratitude for the treatment Judi received at the Health Center under the direction and caring guidance of Carolyn D. Runowicz, M.D., the director of the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Gladstein family wanted their donation to provide a “seed” grant to launch the program. It was their hope and desire that others would match their gift, so that the program would continue to grow. They are excited that this has begun to happen.
“Every family in America is affected by cancer in some way, so programs with an emphasis on prevention and early diagnosis are even more important then ever,” says Runowicz. “Our women’s program has tremendous potential to explore novel treatment and prevention strategies. Support from private donors is helping us meet this goal and establish a regional center for Connecticut.”
“I can’t overemphasize how important philanthropic dollars are to programs like ours,” Brewer adds. “They can make a difference between a program that succeeds and one that doesn’t. These days, talented young researchers are spending their lives writing grants, which is a huge commitment of time and keeps them away from their research. Private giving allows us to get preliminary data and create a program that works. It’s hugely important.”
Brewer sees key trends developing in cancer treatment that focus on prevention, early detection and a more personalized approach based on an individual patient’s genetic makeup.
“We’re moving toward tailoring treatments to the individual, based on genotypes. One key area is better assessing the risk of cancer. Right now, we screen everyone, but tailoring screenings to a person’s risk factors is where our field is heading,” she says. “By the time cancer gets to stage three or stage four, it’s pretty bad, so if we can prevent it from progressing to that point by better focusing on early intervention, the cost of care—from the time off work and away from the family to the actual cost of treatment—is dramatically reduced.”
“If I had another life to live as a surgeon, I can see a future where I would be doing far less surgery and far more prevention,” Brewer says. “We’re just at the tip of the iceberg in terms of our understanding. This is where private support can make all the difference.”
To support the Women’s Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program or the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, please contact the Office of Development & Almuni Relations at 860.679.1122.
