Impact - The Jimmy Fund

Learn more about the Mission Possible Campaign at dana-farber.org/campaign.
Renowned philanthropist’s newest cause hits close to home
PMC continued from page 1
For more than a decade, Steven Kirsch has given tens of millions of dollars
to support medical research, education, environmental protection, and
community-based charities. Committed to making the greatest possible
impact with his gifts, he has always placed a premium on finding and supporting
underfunded yet worthwhile
projects. In August 2007, he found
just such a cause in Waldenström’s
macroglobulinemia—only this time,
it was personal.
“I had never heard of
Waldenström’s before I was
diagnosed with it,” he said. “I had
to crack open the textbooks and do
some research.”
Kirsch was appalled to learn the
deadly blood cancer receives almost
no attention from government
funding agencies or pharmaceutical
companies because it is relatively
rare. Scarce funding means few
scientists study this “orphan”
disease and, therefore, relatively few
treatment options exist for patients.
Determined to change that,
Kirsch began a nationwide search
for the most promising researchers
in the field. He quickly decided
on the only center in the world
Michele and Steven Kirsch hope their support of Waldenström’s
macroglobulinemia research will produce lifesaving treatments
for patients with this rare disease.
The good fight
focused specifically on this disease:
Dana-Farber’s Bing Center for
The community of Middleton, Mass., came together to honor one of their own with
Jack Fights Back, an inaugural event to raise funds for neuroblastoma research at
Dana-Farber. Held April 6 at the Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers, Mass., the benefit
was organized by Ron and Kim Supino, whose 9-year-old son Jack has successfully
battled this cancer of the nervous system.
Originally expecting a modest turnout, the Supinos were moved by the mass of neighbors
and friends who attended, as well as local businesses that contributed more than
70 items for the raffle and silent auction. At the end of the day, this swell of support
carried Jack Fights Back to a fundraising total of more than $100,000—four times
more than initial expectations.
According to the family, no one was happier with the outcome than Jack himself
(above), who, at one point during the event, took center stage for an impromptu
performance of Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock.”
Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia. Impressed by what he saw, Kirsch and his
wife, Michele, have given Dana-Farber $1 million to support the work of Irene
Ghobrial, MD, in the Bing Center.
In recognition of the Kirsches’ generosity, Ghobrial’s laboratory within the
Bing Center has been named the Michele and Steven Kirsch Laboratory for
Waldenström’s Research.
The gift also represents an important contribution to Mission Possible: The
Dana-Farber Campaign to Conquer Cancer.
A two-pronged attack
When deciding which specific projects to fund, Kirsch was particularly drawn
to Ghobrial’s work. One of the greatest obstacles in combating the disease is the
ability of Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia cells to hide out in a patient’s bone
marrow where they are protected from drugs designed to destroy them. Much of
Ghobrial’s research focuses both on understanding how the cancer cells gain entry
into the bone marrow and identifying drugs to force them out of their hiding
places. Using such drugs, she hopes to first “smoke out” the cancer cells and then
kill them with other treatments.
“It’s a nice one-two combination,” said Kirsch. “The approach she’s taking
appears the most promising to me.”
In addition to supporting clinical trials based on this strategy, the Kirsch gift
will fuel studies designed to help researchers better understand the basic biology
of the disease and the causes of its progression. It will also fund projects aimed at
identifying new drug targets and transforming that knowledge into novel therapies
as quickly as possible.
Without the Kirsches’ crucial support, many of these promising endeavors
would never get off the ground.
“The government doesn’t usually give much money for Waldenström’s
macroglobulinemia research,” said Ghobrial. “This gift is huge in terms of helping
me push our research forward.” n
Bailey gift zeroes in on genetic
roots of rare blood cancer
When Robert “Bob” Bailey was first
diagnosed with Waldenström’s
macroglobulinemia in 1997, few
treatments existed for this unusual illness. In the
decade that followed, his therapeutic options grew,
thanks in large part to Steven Treon, MD, PhD,
director of the Bing Center for Waldenström’s
Macroglobulinemia at Dana-Farber.
“Dr. Treon has done so much for people with
this disease,” said Bailey’s wife, Laura. “Because
of him, there are now treatments that we never
would have thought possible 10 years ago.”
Hoping to build on that success, the Baileys
have given Dana-Farber $750,000 to fund
Treon’s research into the genetics of the rare
blood cancer.
In previous studies, Treon and his colleagues
identified Waldenström’s patients with a family
history of blood cell abnormalities. This subset
of patients may have inherited genetic risk
Robert “Bob” Bailey’s positive experience as a
Dana-Farber patient inspired him and his wife,
Laura, to support Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia
research under the direction of Steven Treon,
MD, PhD (above).
factors that contribute to the development of the disease. With support from the
Bailey Family Fund, Treon plans to study these patients and their families in the
hopes of identifying specific genes underlying the illness—information that might
yield important clues about what causes the cancer and how to treat
it more effectively.
“Research on this rare disease is chronically underfunded,” said Treon.
“Without the generous support of people like the Baileys, important projects of
this kind might never move ahead.”
Research and care are major funding priorities of Mission Possible: The Dana-
Farber Campaign to Conquer Cancer, and Bailey’s gift supports this
$1 billion fundraising initiative.
Bob Bailey’s survival 11 years after diagnosis is a testament to the power
of DFCI’s ability to rapidly translate discoveries into new therapies to benefit
patients. Already having lived longer than most people with his disease, he believes
the development of new therapies has been crucial in helping him beat the odds.
With this gift, the Baileys hope Treon will one day produce even better treatments,
improving the odds for all Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia patients.
“Obviously, we’re interested in helping a lot of people with this disease,” said
Bob Bailey. “Dr. Treon is the right person, doing the right research, right now.” n
line to collectively raise an anticipated, record-breaking $34 million.
The PMC, founded in 1980 by Executive Director and Institute Trustee Billy
Starr, is the largest athletic fundraising event in the nation. It is so well known
that it now draws people from 36 states and eight countries who want to make a
difference in the lives of cancer patients around the globe.
“We at the PMC relish the role we play at Dana-Farber,” said Starr. “We feel
challenged, but capable, of providing this incredible annual gift and, at the same
time, challenged and flattered to find the room for all who want to participate in
this amazing weekend event.”
Thriving and surviving
Paul Schaye, a devoted extreme-sports athlete and Boston native, has participated
in the PMC for 10 years. His team, “Paul’s Posse,” has raised more than $712,000
over the past two years alone. In October 2006, his reason for riding became more
personal: He was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer.
“In the past, I rode to help raise money for cancer research, but I never
imagined I would ride as a possible beneficiary of that research,” he said.
Referring to himself as a “cancer thriver,” Schaye faced his treatment with the
same positive power he put into all of his athletic challenges. After major surgery
in November 2007 and with the assistance of the “smart” drug Gleevec®, Paul
remains disease-free. To celebrate this year, he again made the 190-mile journey
with his Paul’s Posse teammates by his side.
“We at the PMC relish the role we play
at Dana-Farber.”
— Institute Trustee Billy Starr
The next generation
The PMC has rapidly become an event for participants of all ages. Since 1998, the
PMC Kids Ride Program has offered children between the ages of 3 and 15, as
well as their parents and neighbors, the opportunity to create individual bike-athons,
including a short obstacle course for tykes on tricycles and a 26-mile trek
for teens.
“Through these mini bike-a-thons, we are teaching children the benefits of
being active and helping others,” Starr said. “The PMC Kids Ride Program is the
future of the PMC.”
In 2008, 30 kids rides were held and are expected to raise $750,000 toward the
PMC’s impressive $34 million goal. n
Left to right: Paul’s Posse team leader Paul Schaye celebrates being a “cancer thriver” with fellow
teammates George Demetri, MD, director of DFCI’s Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology, Demetri’s
daughter, Leah Demetri, and Julie Pokela.
Cycling toward cancer cures
More than 300 bicyclists pedaled along four different routes throughout Western
Massachusetts as part of Katelynn’s Ride. Held June 8, the 8th annual fundraiser, which is
affiliated with the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge bike-a-thon, raised $165,000 to benefit
groundbreaking research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This year’s success
has helped the program surpass $1 million in cumulative fundraising since its inception.
Katelynn’s Ride began in 2000 to honor 11-year-old Katelynn Battista, a Jimmy Fund
Clinic patient who lost her battle against cancer in 1997. Moved by her story, Steve
Stark, of the United States Postal Service, and radio personalities Dan Williams and Kim
Zachary of Mix 93.1-FM in Springfield, Mass., organized the event in her memory.
Right: With his parents, Domenic and Michele Battista, by his side, Luke Battista kicked
off this year’s festivities by cutting the ribbon at the starting line at Hampshire College in
Amherst, Mass.
One PMC cyclist shows his enthusiasm for fighting cancer while pedaling along one of the bike-a-thon’s
various routes.
Left to right: NECN television anchor R.D. Sahl speaks with PMC Founder and Executive Director and
Institute Trustee Billy Starr during the event’s opening ceremonies, which included a check presentation
from younger riders of the PMC Kids Ride.
6 Impact SUMMER 2008
Impact SUMMER 2008 7