Stephenson Prize for Innovation in Pancreatic Cancer Research Launched With $150 Million Gift to City of Hope
2024年9月17日 - 6:30PM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
The prize, one of the largest privately funded
awards for scientific investigation, will be given to the world’s
top researchers, regardless of institutional affiliation
City of Hope®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer
research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and ranked among
the nation’s top 5 cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report,
has received a historic $150 million gift from entrepreneurs and
philanthropists A. Emmet Stephenson Jr. and his daughter Tessa
Stephenson Brand to immediately fund pancreatic cancer
research.
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City of Hope, one of the largest and most
advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S.
and ranked among the nation’s top 5 cancer centers by U.S. News
& World Report, has received a historic $150 million gift from
A. Emmet Stephenson Jr., founder and senior partner of private
equity firm Stephenson Ventures, and Tessa Stephenson Brand,
entrepreneur and philanthropist. (Photo Credit: City of Hope)
The centerpiece of this gift is the $1 million Stephenson Prize,
one of the largest privately funded awards for scientific
investigation, which will be awarded annually to a leading
scientist or team making the most promising advancements in
pancreatic cancer research, treatment and cures. The prize is open
to individual investigators and teams driving innovation at
institutions around the world. The first prize will be awarded in
2025.
The gift equals nearly two-thirds of the total annual research
budget for pancreatic cancer from the National Cancer Institute
(NCI), and it will drive the trajectory for pancreatic cancer early
detection and treatment.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancer types
worldwide, resulting in the third-most cancer deaths of any cancer
type and the worst average five-year survival rate (13%). This
lethal cancer is notoriously hard to detect, and the disease is
resistant to many new therapies. In addition, there are significant
disparities in incidence among African American and Hispanic
communities. Despite all this, pancreatic cancer research is
significantly underfunded.
The Stephensons’ investment is in honor of Toni Stephenson,
loving wife and mother who, after surviving lymphoma, passed away
from pancreatic cancer in 2020. Emmet and Toni met in kindergarten
and were happily married for nearly 53 years.
“We want to ignite interest and encourage pancreatic cancer
research worldwide. We know that cancer discoveries require
significant funding, which is why Tessa and I believe multiple
elements of this gift will make a difference in fighting this
terrible disease,” said A. Emmet Stephenson Jr. “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.”
“The Stephensons are entrepreneurs who believe in groundbreaking
innovation, and City of Hope is a pioneer driving transformational
change in cancer care. We are honored to receive their visionary
gift, the single largest in City of Hope’s 111-year history,” said
Robert Stone, CEO of City of Hope and the Helen and Morgan Chu
Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair. “It is evidence that
City of Hope is best positioned to catalyze collaboration among the
nation’s top scientific minds, disrupting traditional research
models and accelerating breakthroughs that ultimately lead to
cures.”
City of Hope is uniquely qualified to build this innovative
approach to pancreatic cancer research and discovery. As an
NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, City of Hope translates
leading-edge research into effective treatments through partnership
and scientific exploration.
The $150 million Stephenson gift will fund and support
several other research initiatives, including:
- Establishment of the Stephenson Fellows Program, which will
award grants to researchers and support their work in pancreatic
cancer
- An annual Stephenson Pancreatic Cancer Research Symposium that,
together with grants awarded through the Stephenson Fellows
Program, will support innovative ideas and promote scientific
collaboration
- Immediate funding to advance novel immunotherapies and support
groundbreaking clinical research in pancreatic cancer, and further
investment in City of Hope’s Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center
- A pancreatic biorepository at City of Hope that will enhance
genomic-informed patient care, aid in early disease detection,
deepen understanding of cancer biology and immune response, and
contribute to developing innovative therapies
“The Stephenson Prize is a unique and important opportunity for
scientists and physician investigators to work with each other and
with like-minded research teams on the common goal of advancing
care and treatment options for people with pancreatic cancer,” said
Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D., a pioneer and world leader in
translational medicine and distinguished professor in the Molecular
Medicine Division at Translational Genomics Research Institute,
part of City of Hope.
“The Stephensons’ generosity is a shining example of how
unconventional and forward-thinking philanthropists can push
lifesaving medicine to new heights, and the vital role philanthropy
plays in powering cancer discoveries that are saving lives,” said
Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope. “This
family’s loss became an inspiration for hope, and we are honored
they chose us as a partner to realize their vision.”
For more information about the Stephenson Prize for Innovation
in Pancreatic Cancer, visit:
www.cityofhope.org/stephenson-prize.
About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched
by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown
into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and
treatment organizations in the U.S., and one of the leading
research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.
City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough
cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal
antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer
Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked top
5 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report at
its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer
care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad
philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing
national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of
clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer
center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers
and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix
areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes
Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. For
more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X,
YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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Chantal Roshetar croshetar@coh.org (800) 888-5323