Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center is part of one of the world’s most distinguished academic medical centers. Since opening its doors, the Cancer Center its mission has been “to advance knowledge and rapidly translate discovery into exceptional, personalized cancer care.” Constantly looking for what will make a change, researchers conduct approximately 400 hundred clinical trials each year. However, the center cannot do all this work alone.
Since 2008, the MGH Cancer Center has honored 100 groups, individuals, and organizations working to win the fight against cancer. Daniel A. Haber, MD, PhD, director of the Cancer Center says, “Through the one hundred, we are able to honor those individuals and groups who have joined us in our mission to conquer cancer and are making a difference every day in ways big and small.”
This summer’s event, which took place on June 10 at the Westin Boston Waterfront, hosted nearly 1,000 guests including celebrities Matt Damon and American Idol winner Phillip Phillips, as well as North Shore honorees.
Shore Country Day School Basketball Team, Beverly
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When his best friend, Jared Denny, lost his mother to breast cancer, Nick Silacci knew he had to do something to raise awareness for this disease that has claimed so many lives. With the support of their classmates, teammates’ parents, and their coach, David Lund, Nick, Jared, and their teammates began promoting breast cancer awareness by wearing pink socks during games, much like NBA players. Their hard work and adamant desire to advocate for a cure and honor Jared’s mother did not stop with pink socks. The two boys have continued their advocacy work into high school and volunteered in countless cancer awareness and fundraising efforts.
Caring for a Cure, Molly Higgins, Salem
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In 2011, when three generous nurses set out to brighten their patients’ days a little, Molly Higgins, RN, Laura White, RN, and Christine Weiand, RN realized it was the small things that really made a difference. Whether it was picking up a coffee or delivering their favorite snack, Higgins and her colleagues realized that their small acts of kindness could make a big difference. From there, Caring for a Cure was created. Since its inception three years ago, Caring has raised more than $100,000, all on the nurses’ own time.
Grace Cohen, North Andover
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At eight years old, Grace Cohen, wanted to do something to help after her mother’s second cancer diagnosis. A promising photographer, Grace created note cards from her snapshots of nature, which she sold to assist in cancer research and care. Three years later, Grace’s photographs have been published in many local publications and fairs, and her work was even hung at the Radiation Oncology Center at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. This pint-sized North Andover native volunteers regularly for fundraising walks and events and has even raised $1,500 for the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Ellen Fitzgerald, Caregiver, North Andover
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North Andover resident, Ellen Fitzgerald, RN, leads the nurses of the Cancer Center’s units for leukemia and bone marrow transplant. Fitzgerald is a leader in every respect—supporting her patients fiercely, being a friend, mother, and guide to her nurses, and showing undying devotion to her work. Through waves of tragedy in recent years, Fitzgerald has remained a strong anchor for her staff and all those around her, never pushing her work to the side.
Henri and Belinda Termeer, Philanthropists, Marblehead
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In 2011, Marblehead residents Henri and Belinda Termeer established the Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at the Cancer Center, which enables the team to press forward with pioneering research and bring about new, targeted cancer therapies to patients. Director of the facility, Keith Flaherty, MD, has said “With the establishment of the Termeer Center, we have been offered the invaluable opportunity to conduct research and deliver our discoveries to our patients by enrolling them in the relevant clinical trials matched to their individual cancer at the earliest possible time, all in one central location.” These spouses have often been described as visionary, gifting a facility that is entirely unique and innovative to the world of cancer research.
The Doktor Family, Philanthropists
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When this Ipswich family tragically lost their youngest girl, Jessie, in 2007 after a six-year battle with leukemia, the Doktors started Bright Happy Power to “place hope, happiness, and empowerment into the hands and lives of children and families facing life-threatening and catastrophic challenges.” Through Bright Happy Power, Sarah, Gail, and Chris raise funds to provide care packages, scholarships, and much more for numerous families struggling with the ins and outs of daily life with a complex disease, all in memory of their daughter and sister, Jessie.
The full list of the 100 recipients for 2014 and their photos and stories can be found at: theonehundred.org/honorees