Friends of Dana-Farber

Friends of Dana-Farber The Friends, an all-volunteer organization, takes pride in serving Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through supporting research, patient services, and fundraising.

For more than a decade, this unforgettable night brought together Boston’s culinary stars in support of Dana-Farber. Fro...
03/13/2026

For more than a decade, this unforgettable night brought together Boston’s culinary stars in support of Dana-Farber. From award-winning cocktails to signature dishes crafted by over 50 of the area’s most celebrated chefs — including Jody Adams, Tiffani Faison, Andy Husbands, Jeremy and Lisa Sewall, and honorary chef Michael Schlow — Chefs Cooking for Hope was truly a feast with a purpose.

Hosted by the Friends of Dana-Farber, this annual culinary extravaganza united our community around incredible food, generosity, and a shared commitment to advancing cancer research and patient care. What began as Chefs Cooking for Hope later evolved into our beloved Dinner with Friends events, continuing the tradition of gathering for good.

We are so grateful to the chefs, sponsors, volunteers, and guests who made this event such a powerful force for impact year after year. Because of you, every bite helped fuel breakthroughs and support patients and families when they needed it most.

Here’s to the memories — and to the Power of Friends. 💙🍴✨

PowerOfFriends

Bring your whole family and help brighten a patient’s day through creativity and kindness. Join The Friends at Dana-Farb...
03/12/2026

Bring your whole family and help brighten a patient’s day through creativity and kindness. Join The Friends at Dana-Farber for a family-friendly card-making morning, where kids and caregivers can design uplifting cards for patients facing cancer.
🗓️  Sunday March 29th @ ⏰ 1:00 PM
Link in our bio to register to attend

When our patients head home after treatment, their healing journey continues and safety is everything because for high r...
03/06/2026

When our patients head home after treatment, their healing journey continues and safety is everything because for high risk patients, infection prevention isn’t optional - it’s critical.
During the pandemic, our COVID Care Kits were thoughtfully assembled by Friends to help immunocompromised patients create a clean, protected environment as they recover. Each kit included essential sanitation supplies like disinfecting wipes, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and cleaning products. These kits helped ease the burden on families already navigating so much, offering both practical support and peace of mind. Thanks to the dedication of our Friends volunteers and generous supporters, we were able to place these essential tools directly into the hands of patients who need them most!

03/02/2026

The Friends of Dana-Farber have always shown up in powerful ways – from walking to riding to spinning to fundraising and more. Our Friends have a great time supporting Dana-Farber through events like the Jimmy Fund Walk, Pan-Mass Challenge, and Pan-Mass Winter Cycle.
For decades, these events have brought our community together to fuel lifesaving cancer research and compassionate patient care. Every mile covered represents hope, strength, and an unwavering commitment to the patients and families we serve.
We are especially proud to celebrate Jen (pictured crossing the finish line and leading with heart), who has participated in the Pan-Mass Challenge for 30 years.
From indoor cycling at Fenway Park during Winter Cycle, to the energy of PMC weekend, to the meaningful miles of the Jimmy Fund Walk — Friends continue to stand alongside Dana-Farber in every season.
Thank you to every Friend who participates, fundraises, volunteers, and cheers from the sidelines. Because of you, breakthroughs happen. Because of you, patients feel supported.

Since 1976, the Friends have proudly supported 54 oncology fellows at Dana-Farber by funding their salary and research. ...
02/20/2026

Since 1976, the Friends have proudly supported 54 oncology fellows at Dana-Farber by funding their salary and research. Dr. Tess O’Meara, our current Friends Fellow, said this of the experience: For fellows and early career faculty, securing funding to continue training, doing research, and setting ourselves up in our careers can be challenging. These kinds of programs are very important and special as we progress through the early stages of our careers.

Throughout the years, many gifted investigators have shared their positive experiences:
Dr. Donald Kufe, Friends Fellow in 1978 (now Distinguished Physician at DFCI), said, “The Friends’ support of my DFCI fellowship in 1978 has had a transformative impact on my career.”

Dr. John Clark, Friends Fellow in 1983 (now head and neck oncologist at Mass General Brigham), said, “It was not only the best fellowship at the time, but the best fellowship in a rising institution.”

Dr. Caroline Block, Friends Fellow in 1989 (Now Senior physician, Breast Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), said, “Training at Dana Farber was incredible, and feeling attached to it throughout my career due to that training. I met patients who taught me so much about their experience, and wonderful teachers and mentors. It was an honor to be supported, and to attend the Friends’ gala. As a fellow, such events in my time were rare. I felt supported by a wonderful organization.”

Dr. Raj Gopal, Friends Fellow in 2015 (now Senior Clinical Program Leader at Novartis), said, “The funding was so instrumental in helpiong me launch my scientific career and pursue “big” ideas is oncology.”

Dr. Tanya Keenan, Friends Fellow in 2021 (now Executive Director, Oncology Clinical Development at Merck), said, “Friends’ support has contributed tremendously to my education and ability to help patients - thank you!”

Happy Valentine’s Day to the nurses, doctors, researchers, staff, patients, and loved ones who fill this building with s...
02/14/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day to the nurses, doctors, researchers, staff, patients, and loved ones who fill this building with strength, compassion, and hope. We are so grateful for each and every one of you. 💕

On , we honor the people who make progress possible 💙The Friends of Dana-Farber are a community of dedicated volunteers...
02/04/2026

On , we honor the people who make progress possible 💙

The Friends of Dana-Farber are a community of dedicated volunteers, advocates, and supporters who come together to advance research, enhance patient care, and fuel innovation across the Institute. From funding critical programs and supporting groundbreaking science to creating moments of connection and celebrating extraordinary volunteers, this is impact in action.

What makes Dana-Farber truly special is its collaborative model—where patients, clinicians, researchers, and supporters work side by side toward a shared goal: a world without cancer.

Today, we’re proud to celebrate the Friends community and the programs we help fund—because together, we are driving hope forward. 🌍✨

Learn more about our funded programs and how to get involved: dana-farber.org/friends

Friends holiday cards are back! Wish your friends and family a bright holiday season and support research and patient ca...
11/18/2025

Friends holiday cards are back! Wish your friends and family a bright holiday season and support research and patient care programs through the Friends of Dana-Farber! Thanksgiving and winter holiday cards are available now! https://dana-farberholiday.ourproshop.com/

This week we’re celebrating holiday hospitality at Dana-Farber. Every year, just before Thanksgiving, our incredible Fri...
11/18/2025

This week we’re celebrating holiday hospitality at Dana-Farber.

Every year, just before Thanksgiving, our incredible Friends of Dana-Farber volunteers fill the halls and gathering spaces with festive touches such as decorated trees, menorahs, wreaths, and other signs of the season.

These simple acts of care bring warmth, hope, and joy to patients, families, and staff during challenging times. It’s a beautiful tradition focused on one goal: creating comfort when it’s needed most.

The Friends of Dana-Farber have always been dedicated to both groundbreaking research and compassionate patient care! We...
11/07/2025

The Friends of Dana-Farber have always been dedicated to both groundbreaking research and compassionate patient care! We know that true healing means meeting physical, emotional, and social needs simultaneously - and we are incredibly grateful to all who supported our fundraising events throughout the year help provide vital support for our patient services grants.

Our latest grants fund critical support for those who need it most:
- Free legal help for low-income immigrant patients to remove barriers to care
- Emergency aid for food, rent, and transportation
- Treatment support including medication co-pay and scalp cooling assistance

And programs serving all patients:
- Spiritual health care
- Youth patient support groups
- Care bags for those experiencing hair loss from treatment
- Friends Patient Gift Bags
- Friends Art Program/Collection

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450 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA
02215

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Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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