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1975

Institutional leaders and board members at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Center Building, which was completed in 1976. Philanthropy has helped fund a number of construction projects at Fox Chase over the years.

 

2024 PHILANTHROPY HIGHLIGHTS

Support from generous individuals and organizations ensures that Fox Chase maintains its position as a leader in cancer discovery and delivery and continues to offer help and hope to all who are affected by the disease.

Fox Chase’s 50th year was also its most successful philanthropic year to date. The community of Fox Chase supporters set a new record for the third consecutive year, donating $24.4 million to enable new programs, expanded offerings, and more cancer research. Donor support for these critical initiatives is integral to the bright future of the cancer center.

More than 10,000 individuals and organizations made a gift to Fox Chase during fiscal year 2024. This included 3,118 who were making their first gift to the institution and 772 donors who have given for 30 or more years. Membership in the Laurel Society continued to grow as well. More than 600 individuals gave at least $1,000, and more than 135 organizations gave at least $5,000 to qualify for membership in the society.

Noteworthy gifts in 2024 included a $3.5 million planned gift for head and neck cancer research from a grateful patient couple, a $2.4 million grant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for a five-year project intended to improve access to clinical trials for all patients across the Temple Health system, and an in-kind gift of $2 million from the estate of a grateful patient. Contributions like these and so many others enable the Fox Chase faculty to accelerate research and develop critical therapies that will benefit cancer patients both locally and globally.

The tenth annual In Vino Vita Benefit and Wine Auction, held in September 2023, raised more than $2.2 million toward the establishment of a new advanced treatment center to provide greater privacy and comfort for patients, and enable access to the very latest therapies, including theranostics. Planning for the new space is underway.

Donor support is as strong as it has ever been, and over the next few years, donors will have a chance to make an even greater impact. As part of new Temple University President John Fry’s comprehensive plan, a capital campaign is being planned which will support new initiatives at Fox Chase.

 

DOUGLAS S. GOLDSTEIN WAITING AREA OPENS WITH A HEARTFELT SURPRISE

In May 2024, Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Fox Chase – Temple Urologic Institute opened its newly renovated and expanded clinical space on the third floor of Fox Chase Cancer Center – Huntingdon Pike in Rockledge, Pennsylvania. The new space was made possible in part with support from Michelle and Doug Goldstein. As the ribbon-cutting began, Doug didn’t know that an emotional surprise was in store.

When the plaque was unveiled, he learned that Michelle arranged to have the newly redesigned space named the Douglas S. Goldstein Waiting Area. The plaque, which features a picture of Doug, reads: “Dedicated to our loving husband and father, Douglas Goldstein, with grateful appreciation to the Department of Urology for his successful treatment. Love, Michelle, Flynn & Charlie.”

Doug has been cancer free for 10 years thanks to his surgeon, Fox Chase President & CEO Robert Uzzo, and the Fox Chase team. Michelle’s family, the Gitlins, have been devoted and generous supporters of urological research and projects over the years. Their latest gift came in September of 2024, when Michelle’s father Harvey announced a new $2 million pledge at the 50th Anniversary Gala in gratitude for care he received.

 

 

PAWS FOR THE CAUSE MARKS 25 YEARS

The Fox Chase Cancer Center Board of Associates hosted the 25th annual Paws for the Cause on Sunday, September 15, with generous support from title sponsor West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. More than 500 community members enjoyed a beautiful morning at the event, which featured a one mile walk around the Fox Chase campus, food, music, entertainment, vendors, and animal rescue organizations.

Over the years, Paws for the Cause has cumulatively raised more than $1 million for cancer research, training, and care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Its success underscores the important role of the Fox Chase community in raising funds for the center.

Team O’Donnell, led by Fox Chase Board of Associates President Barbara O’Donnell, was the top fundraising team, while longtime volunteer Tracey Wheaton was the top individual fundraiser. Johnathan Whetstine, PhD, and the Whetstine Lab team were repeat winners of the “Stanley Pup” Trophy, which is awarded to the Fox Chase department that raises the most money.

Event chair Lori Giampaolo, Patient Ambassador Annie Miyazaki-Grant, and Physician Ambassadors Jason Castellanos, MD, MS, FACS, and Emily Castellanos, MD, MPH, harnessed the passion and energy of the Fox Chase community to encourage donations and attendance. Dawn Timmeney of Fox 29 emceed this much-loved Fox Chase tradition.

 

A $2.4 MILLION GRANT TO STUDY DISPARITIES IN CLINICAL TRIAL ENROLLMENT

“A lot of research evaluating diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical trials has shown what barriers currently exist in our medical system, but few studies have identified replicable methods to overcome these barriers on a systemic level,” said Shazia K. Nakhoda, MD, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hematology/Oncology at Fox Chase.

Nakhoda is the principal investigator of “RECONNECT: Overcoming Racial and Ethnic Inequity in Clinical Trial Enrollment Via Clinical Trial Educator and Coordinator and Provider Communication Training.” In 2024, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society awarded Fox Chase a $2.4 million grant for the five-year project. Its goal is to improve access to clinical trials for all patients across the Temple Health system, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

RECONNECT will feature two main strategies — a new training system for providers and specialized screening and pre-enrollment services for patients. Access to clinical trials is critical to providing equitable care. Linda Fleisher, PhD, MPH, a Research Professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Fox Chase and the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the College of Public Health at Temple University, and Zachary Frosch, MD, MSHP, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hematology/Oncology and the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Fox Chase, are co-principal investigators alongside Nakhoda.

“While cancer can impact anyone, the unfortunate reality is that equitable access to high-quality, affordable treatment and care is out of reach for many, and no other organization is funding research specifically on equity in access for blood cancer patients and survivors,” said Eric Cooks, PhD, Senior Director of the Equity in Access Research Program at LLS. “This research is a first step toward helping all patients and survivors achieve meaningful access to the treatment and care they need when they need it.”

Providing equitable care to all patients regardless of race and ethnicity is one of the key priorities of Temple Health and Fox Chase. “The funding through this grant will help us to better understand how we can achieve this important goal,” said Nakhoda.

 

 

IGOR ASTSATUROV APPOINTED TO NEW ENGSTROM PROFESSORSHIP

Igor Astsaturov, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Hematology/Oncology and Co-Director of The Marvin and Concetta Greenberg Pancreatic Cancer Institute, was appointed inaugural holder of the Paul F. Engstrom Professorship in Oncology.

Engstrom is one of the most beloved and respected physicians ever to serve on the Fox Chase faculty, and a pioneer in cancer prevention and control. He established one of the first cancer prevention programs in the country at a time when the notion of prevention was novel.

“It is fitting that Dr. Astsaturov now holds the Engstrom Professorship because he embodies the compassion and dedication that Dr. Engstrom so consistently demonstrated throughout his career,” said Robert Uzzo, MD, MBA, FACS, President and CEO of Fox Chase.

The Engstrom Professorship reflects a decades-long tradition of recognizing significant figures with a lasting tribute. It enables Fox Chase to support an outstanding leader in cancer science and medicine who represents the highest standards of excellence in keeping with the legacy of Engstrom’s work.

 

 

2024 LAUREL SOCIETY AWARD

Ken and Nancy Hellendall received the 2024 Laurel Society Award during the society’s annual dinner in May. The annual award recognizes a compelling example of purposeful philanthropy. Recipients demonstrate a special level of dedication to Fox Chase Cancer Center.

The Hellendall family has been part of the Fox Chase family since Ken’s mother, Gretel, was treated for lung cancer. She died in 2014 at age 93, and Ken attributed her longevity to her Fox Chase team. Nancy and Ken maintained a relationship with the cancer center through the Hellendall Family Foundation, and in 2018, they began to increase the foundation’s annual gifts and direct them to lung cancer research. They have also served as matching donors for several Fox Chase year-end campaigns, including a year-end $50,000 match in 2024, as it is important to them to inspire others to support charitable causes.

Their primary focus has been the effort of Margie Clapper, PhD, to understand how female hormones contribute to the development of lung cancer among never-smokers. To date, the Clapper lab has identified five types of estrogen that can change normal lung cells into cancer cells, and they have begun generating the preclinical data necessary to support the design of the first clinical trial to interrupt this process in humans.

Through their family foundation, the Hellendalls also support arts and education organizations, including the Walnut Street Theatre and Earlham College, Ken’s alma mater. They have always emphasized the importance of giving back, and their three adult children are now becoming involved in the foundation as well.

 

A GALA FIT FOR A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

On September 28, 2024, more than 550 people celebrated at Fox Chase’s 50th Anniversary Gala. This unforgettable evening raised more than $5 million for clinical research and patient care, while honoring a singular past and setting the stage for the future.

Phillies legend Mike Schmidt was a special guest and was honored with the inaugural Fox Chase Freedom Award in recognition of his advocacy work.

In a poignant moment, guests watched a video about the importance of supporting clinical research at Fox Chase before honoring featured patient Elaine Spangler with a standing ovation for sharing her story. Co-chair Matthew Zelesko encouraged guests to pledge their support in whatever amount was most meaningful, and many in the room generously answered the call.

Also at the gala, Fox Chase unveiled the “We Never Stop” video, which will now become an integral part of recruiting and onboarding new employees, as well as an inspiring way to affirm the important mission of everyone in the Fox Chase Cancer Center community.

Just before the evening erupted into a dance party, two attendees gave the room a major reason to celebrate – each announcing a substantial gift to Fox Chase.