WINTER 2021 Volume 24 | Issue 1 ImpactDana-Farber.org and JimmyFund.org THANKING THOSE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE The PMC pedals past the $750 million mark with the 2020 ‘reimagined’ event he Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), which began in 1980 with Billy Starr and three dozen riders T Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has been the top who wanted to raise money for cancer ranked cancer hospital in New England by U.S. News care and research, this year crossed and World Report for 20 consecutive years, and is the $750 million mark in cumulative the only cancer center in the country ranked in the fundraising for Dana-Farber Cancer top 6 for both adult and pediatric cancer programs. Institute. This notable milestone occurred during the 2020 PMC, a ride Dana-Farber Cancer that was “reimagined” to account for Institute was named the the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. #3 cancer center in the More than 9,600 participated in the world by Newsweek in its summer-long 2020 PMC Reimagined World’s Best Specialized campaign, raising an impressive Hospitals ranking. $50 million by charting their own courses and riding alone or in small The reimagined PMC raised $50 million for Dana-Farber in 2020, surpassing the groups in cities and towns across New $750 million mark since its founding in 1980. England and beyond. “Nothing could be more satisfying 4 than to look back over the past 41 Living Proof rider and Dana-Farber of Medicine. “We are so very grateful Expanding years and see the impact that the patient Theresa Welsh led the virtual for the continued support from the access to care efforts of our incredibly dedicated toast along with Starr, sharing her PMC and the creative ways its riders riders, volunteers, sponsors, donors, personal cancer experience and the reimagined their experience this year to and supporters have had on lifesaving impact the PMC has made in her fight, raise money for Dana-Farber.” cancer research and treatment at noting, “I credit, hands down, all of PMC 2020 Reimagined, which 6 Dana-Farber,” commented Starr, PMC the efforts of everyone on this call and digitally brought to life many of Walking to founder and executive director, and a across the Pan-Mass community and the most beloved activities from conquer cancer Dana-Farber Trustee. our supporters for my being here today a usual PMC Ride Weekend, was At the cornerstone of the PMC because of the advancements in cancer conceptualized after it became clear community are the more than 940 research that have been made possible that the event planned for early August Living Proof riders and volunteers by the Pan-Mass Challenge.” would not be able to go on as it had who have faced their own cancer “The PMC community’s steadfast in the past, with fundraisers pedaling 9 journeys. Each year, the Living Proof commitment to our institution is across Eastern Massachusetts to A lasting legacy community comes together during humbling and inspiring. More than Provincetown in one group. PMC Ride Weekend for a moving ever, PMC dollars are critical to “As much as we would have loved toast to celebrate life and the progress support the world-class cancer care to be out on the roads together that made in the fight against cancer. This and additional resources we provide weekend, I’m very proud of how our summer, that celebration looked a our patients and their families,” said community reimagined this year’s 10 bit different, taking place via a video Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, Dana- PMC experience,” added Starr. “Our Fighting cancer call that joined more than 200 PMC Farber president and CEO and the motto of ‘there’s a lot riding on us’ from the links Living Proof participants. Nine-year Richard and Susan Smith Professor rings truer than ever this year as the 12 “ Nothing could be more satisfying than Advancing early careers to look back over the past 41 years and see the impact that the efforts of our incredibly dedicated riders, volunteers, need for cancer research and treatment sponsors, donors, and supporters have funding becomes more and more had on lifesaving cancer research and critical in light of the COVID-19 treatment at Dana-Farber.” pandemic.” The PMC donates 100% of every — BILLY STARR, PMC founder and executive director rider-raised dollar to Dana-Farber as its and Dana-Farber Trustee largest single contributor, accounting for 64% of the Jimmy Fund’s annual Committed PMC riders rode alone or in small groups in cities and towns across New England and beyond. continued on page 2 Dear Friends, Ibram X. Kendi keynotes Dana- Over the past year, as unprecedented events Farber Presidential Symposium challenged every facet of our lives and our work, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute managed to evolve in remarkable ways. We are deeply grateful for your flexibility and willingness to adapt with us. Your incredible philanthropy provided support to advance our Institutional priorities, endowed chairs, exceptional care, and crucial research. Together, we are creating a better future by building on our successful past—and we are committed to providing the very best, science-driven care to our patients and their families. Throughout the year, our Dana-Farber community has stepped forward in different ways and at different times, working seamlessly like teammates passing the baton, to collectively keep us on track in pursuit of our most ambitious goals. Support has bolstered key initiatives like COVID testing and antibody research, and new facilities that bring our top-quality care closer to where patients live. Our loyal Jimmy Fund community established new programs and cleverly adapted existing events that in some cases go back many decades, to maintain From left: Ibram X. Kendi, Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, and Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH, during a keynote presentation at the 2020 Presidential Symposium. support for our lifesaving mission. Together in partnership, the Pan-Mass Challenge reimagined its historic ride and the indefatigable community of riders and sponsors crossed an incredible milestone of more than $750 million raised rofessor Ibram X. Kendi, one of undeniable parallels between cancer since 1980. We are so grateful and proud to feature the PMC in our cover story. America’s foremost historians and racial inequity and injustice This exceptional teamwork and commitment allowed us to do more than P and leading antiracist voices, that the Institute is committed to just endure the past year and all of the challenges that COVID-19 brought our was a keynote speaker at Dana-Farber’s addressing. Kendi also shared insights way—it enabled us to thrive and demonstrate our resilience and commitment annual Presidential Symposium, held drawn from his personal experience as to our shared mission. We will build on this powerful momentum in the year online in October 2020. Kendi, who is a cancer patient and caregiver. ahead, and we are inspired and energized by what we have achieved together the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the The event, formerly known as the during this challenging year. Humanities and the founding director Presidential Visiting Committees Thank you for the many ways that you support the community that is of the Center for Antiracist Research Symposium, also featured breakout Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: our frontline heroes, our research faculty, our at Boston University and author of The sessions co-chaired by Institute staff, and our patients and their families. My very best wishes to you and your New York Times #1 best seller “How Trustees and Dana-Farber’s expert family for a safe and happy New Year. to Be an Antiracist,” joined Laurie H. faculty, who shared the latest advances Glimcher, MD, Dana-Farber president in discovery science, gastrointestinal Sincerely, and CEO and the Richard and Susan cancers, hematologic oncology, Smith Professor of Medicine; and thoracic oncology, pediatric oncology, Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH, and women’s cancers, and explored Melany N. Duval director of Dana-Farber’s Cancer cancer research and care across Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer Care Equity Program, to discuss the all age groups. ■ PMC pedals past the $750 million mark continued from page 1 GivingTuesday raises revenue. Despite having to reimagine its 2020 ride, the PMC has remained record-breaking $1.6 million unwavering in its dedication to Dana-Farber. PMC 2020 Reimagined was incredibly successful, generating the highest event weekend fundraising results the The 2020 holiday season, more PMC has ever experienced—$4 million from July 31 to August 3. Additionally, than ever, was a time of reflection as part of the PMC’s impressive $50 million gift, the PMC released $4 million in and gratitude as communities May as seed funding for Dana-Farber’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, came together to support those in providing immediate support for cancer patients and their families. ■ need. This spirit of generosity was ever-present on GivingTuesday, an international day of giving observed on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, as our own community of supporters raised nearly $1.6 million, the highest-ever GivingTuesday total for Dana-Farber and Jimmy Fund. A variety of efforts, including online, text-to-give, social media, and two matching challenges funded by Arbella Insurance Group and VFW Lt. James A. Logan Post No. 6800, helped to motivate gifts of all sizes from more than 3,000 donors across the country. Longtime Jimmy Fund partner WEEI 93.7 FM hosted a one-day radio broadcast on Dec. 1, WEEI’s GivingTuesday to benefit the Jimmy Fund presented by Arbella Insurance. Interviews with Dana-Farber patients and their families, Institute leaders, and representatives of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots inspired listeners to give generously.