Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

10/31/2025

It was all fun and games in the Jimmy Fund Clinic this Halloween! 🎲 Our pediatric patients made their trick-or-treating rounds throughout the clinic and beyond for a sweet start to the day. 🍭

10/30/2025

Our workplace spirit is un-boo-lievable! Thank you to our workforce for their creative designs on these gourd-geous pumpkins, generously donated by Wilson Farm. 🎃

10/30/2025

Please join us for a webinar on What to Know About Lung Cancer.

Jacob Sands, MD, Associate Chief of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology will share insights on prevention, early detection, and the latest treatment advancements, followed by a Q&A. Register here: https://bit.ly/3L9ZmjA

10/29/2025

Thank you to the Longwood Symphony Orchestra for bringing some joy to our Longwood campus this week during our new concert series, Midday Melodies! Directed by Douglas Brandoff, MD, and Isaac Chua, MD, MPH, this program will bring the therapeutic power of music to our faculty, staff, patients, and families. Keep an eye out for details on our next concert in mid-November. 🎶

10/28/2025

Join Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, and The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link on Wednesday, October 29 at noon ET for a free patient webinar focused on prevention and treatment of chronic GVHD. Additional topics include psychosocial support and a survivor perspective followed by a live Q&A. Register here: https://bit.ly/43CpOsD

10/28/2025

While participating in two separate clinical trials for breast cancer, Kathleen McEvoy-Schufreider saw the pace of scientific progress and medical advancements first-hand. Today, she has long-range hope for her future. Learn more about Kathleen’s journey: https://bit.ly/4pSFZeK

10/27/2025

Join the Center for Esophageal and Gastric Cancer for the next event in the Digesting the Science series on Monday, November 10 from 12-1 p.m. The topic will be Nourishing Your Recovery: Eating After Gastrectomy and Esophagectomy featuring Julie Bosworth, RD, LDN.

This is a free virtual educational event series for patients to address trends in esophageal and gastric cancer. Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/4oGzURr

10/24/2025

Join us in person for a morning of expressive arts and community building!

Friday, November 14 | 9 – 11 a.m. ET Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston

Connect with others living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) while engaging your creativity in a fun painting activity. We are excited to welcome all members of the MBC community and invite you to also bring a loved one to share in this enjoyable experience.

For more information and to register, please visit https://bit.ly/46SCgoR.

10/23/2025

Erin Dowd grew up hearing stories about her great-grandfather, Tom Dowd, and his longtime friend and Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams.

In addition to his baseball legacy, Ted's a key figure in Dana-Farber and Jimmy Fund history for galvanizing support for cancer research and care. Erin’s great-grandfather also played a significant role, accompanying Ted to fundraisers and using his position as the Red Sox’s traveling secretary — and later, as the team’s community relations director — to support the cause.

While Erin was born decades after his passing, she's always had great pride in her great-grandfather’s accomplishments – never more so than joining our staff earlier this year. "I feel very connected to my great-grandfather here," says Erin, a network development consultant in the Business Strategy office. "It’s like my family ties have come full circle."

"In just a few months on staff full-time, Erin has shown strong commitment and dedication to the Institute, and contributed significantly on several projects," says Greg Calosso, vice president of Network Development. "She has displayed her skills as a self-starter."

Tom brought those same skills to his work with The Jimmy Fund, guiding Ted and other Red Sox players to events throughout the 1950s and '60s. After meeting Sidney Farber, MD, the Institute’s founder, he was inspired to spread the word about the groundbreaking research taking place. When Ted returned to Boston after serving as a Marine fighter pilot in Korea, Tom organized a "Welcome Home, Ted" parade and dinner that raised $125,000 for Dana-Farber. And after Ted’s brother died of leukemia in 1960, his connection to the cause became even more personal.

Tom's dedication left a legacy that would one day come full circle for his own family, in more ways than one. By the time his daughter, Mary Dowd Eberle, was treated at Dana-Farber in 2013, far more patients were living longer, healthier lives, thanks in part to the efforts of her father.

"My dad would be so pleased – and proud – to see what Erin is doing," says Mary, Erin’s great-aunt. "Dana-Farber is a wonderful place that has done so much to help my family and so many other patients."

10/22/2025

It's a common question: Can bras cause breast cancer?

This is one of the most common myths about breast cancer risk. Tim Rebbeck, PhD, separates fact from fiction and shares what truly impacts risk: regular mammograms, maintaining as much of a healthy lifestyle as possible, and knowing your family history.

10/21/2025

Gene therapy works by replacing or disabling faulty genes. Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Discover how these two powerful approaches work together:

Gene therapy and immunotherapy are both types of treatment for cancer and other diseases, but ultimately they represent different approaches to disease therapy.

10/20/2025

Two staff nurses were recently recognized with DAISY Awards, which are presented quarterly to extraordinary members of the Nursing staff.

💙 Stephanie Benoit, RN, received praise in a patient nomination form for her diligence and compassion throughout four years of treatment. From carefully managing a complex clinical trial regimen to offering empathetic support through side effects, Benoit has provided consistent, individualized care. “Because of the attention Stephanie has shown me, I have always felt seen and sure of the care I am receiving,” the patient wrote, noting her professionalism, advocacy, and ability to include caregivers in the process.

💙 Toni Quilty, MSN, RN, was recognized for her positivity, attentiveness, and compassion during a patient’s chemotherapy journey. From decorating an infusion room for the patient’s birthday to providing warmth and reassurance during cold capping, Quilty became a trusted and uplifting presence. “Toni is the reason I stayed at Dana-Farber,” the patient wrote. “Her compassion is above anyone I have ever met, and I will be forever grateful to her.”

The DAISY Award program was established by the DAISY Foundation (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, whose parents created the award after experiencing the outstanding care and compassion of nurses during their son’s illness.