$10.5 million pledge for breast cancer research

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Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) has received a pledge of $10.5 million to create a Breast Cancer Research Center, including an assistant professorship and an international scholars training program, from a Boston University School of Medicine graduate who wishes to remain anonymous. This pledge represents the largest individual gift received by the School of Medicine.

“This exceedingly generous commitment is an important investment in breast cancer research that will facilitate discovery and accelerate the development of diagnostics and treatment for this common life threatening disease,” said Karen Antman, MD, Provost of Boston University Medical Campus and Dean of the School of Medicine. “We are particularly grateful that our graduate has chosen to support this important work of the Boston University School of Medicine. The donor who is a two-time cancer survivor has experienced the significance of timely and quality care. She has also worked on several health care projects in developing countries and this project at BUSM is an excellent opportunity to serve those in need close to home, a need she recognized while training at Boston City Hospital.”

“We are incredibly grateful for this very generous gift, that will allow us to advance breast cancer research in new and exciting ways,” said Gail Sonenshein, PhD, a professor of biochemistry and director of the Women’s Health Interdisciplinary Research Center. “The funds will be used to develop a new Breast Cancer Research Center on the medical campus, recruit new faculty members, train scientists from the developing world, and fund pilot grants to help us understand the molecular basis of this devastating disease in diverse populations and for translational research projects that we hope will rapidly develop into new therapies.”

The fulfillment of the pledge will also support the building of the new residence for medical students on the medical campus. The proposed nine-story building will house 208 first-year medical students and transform student life at the School of Medicine.

The donor chose BU School of Medicine because of the medical campus’ tradition of caring for the poor and underserved who will benefit from this research.

“Health disparities are a major concern in our society,” said BU President Robert Brown. “This gift will contribute toward closing the disparities gap and will benefit the underserved and the most disadvantaged in our community. Boston University is deeply grateful to the donor.”

Source: Boston University, USA


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