The Breakthrough Board

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The Breakthrough Board

The Breakthrough Board (Formerly the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation Women's Board)

Founded in 1947, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation Women's Board raises funds through its Grand Auction, annual appeal, Dream Home Preview party and other events to support basic cancer biology research at the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center. Through its efforts every year, the 70-plus board members make significant contributions to this comprehensive cancer center.

Specifically, their funds have helped make it possible to bring new scientists to the University and to support their research activities until they have been able to obtain research grant funding.

07/25/2025

Join for a morning of function fitness on August 23! Guests will enjoy an outdoor functional fitness class, healthy refreshments, and a chance to close out summer with friends old and new!

🔗 in bio to register today

Specials thanks to of for leading the workout!

07/22/2025

With its 2025 allocation to Microbiome Research, supports researchers, including Han Cun, MD, and Eric Pamer, MD, who are launching a pioneering study to explore how the microbiome impacts immunotherapy outcomes in gynecologic cancers. This work will lay the groundwork for future clinical trials, improving outcomes for a broader group of patients.

07/16/2025

continues its funding for A.I. Oncocure, a trailblazing partnership with Argonne National Laboratory.

Combining world-class cancer biology expertise with the most powerful computational resources in the world fuels a transformative model of cancer discovery. Harnessing this combined strength delivers smarter, faster, and more personalized treatments.

07/08/2025

is proud to highlight the innovative researchers and projects it supports through the 2025 Allocations, starting with Cellular Therapy!

With this funding, researchers led by Thinle Chodon, MD, PhD are pursuing critical next steps to move T cell based immunotherapy from the lab to the clinic. This approach could help overcome a longstanding barrier in cancer treatment and bring lasting hope to patients who currently have limited options.

Watch this space in the coming weeks for more projects and exciting breakthroughs in cancer research!

06/04/2025

The annual June Meeting and Tea is a special opportunity to honor the incredible service milestones of members.

Yesterday we honored Linda Scherer Kimball (50 years), Jean Atchison (40 years, Nancy Crane and Julie Diermeier (35 years), and Lidia Devonshire and Lena Helms (25 years). We also celebrated the legacy of the women who have passed while serving on the Board.

Toasted by friends near and far, we commend them for their dedication to the Board and many notable accomplishments as leaders and advocates for cancer research!

05/14/2025

hosted its annual May Dinner on May 13. Board members and friends were thrilled to hear from Dr. Uzma Siddiqui, a renowned gastroenterologist specializing in interventional endoscopy.

Dr. Siddiqui shared her career path and insights into research and advancements in her work with CERT as they relate to oncology.

Thank you, Dr. Siddiqui!

04/15/2025

welcomed Dr. Kunle Odunsi, Director of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Eileen Dolan, Deputy Director, to its annual Allocations Meeting today. Along with updates on past projects the Board has funded, they proposed a slate of innovative projects and areas of research at the forefront of cancer treatment and diagnosis. The Board is grateful for their leadership and expertise.

Watch for announcements of the Board’s 2025 Allocations in the coming weeks!

04/03/2025

Thank you for this incredible feature of the 2024 Breakthrough Ball! What a treat to revisit the elegance and beauty of “Where Breakthroughs Blossom.”

Please save the date for 2025 Breakthrough Ball on Saturday, November 15 !

🔗 in bio for the full piece.

03/18/2025

We’re delighted to announce our 2025 Breakthrough Board Scholar!

Joon Seok Park, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, , and is exploring the powerful role of gut commensal microbes in improving cancer immunotherapy.

Dr. Park’s groundbreaking research focuses on a specific gut microbe, Coprobacillus cateniformis, which has shown potential in enhancing immunotherapy by downregulating a novel immune pathway. His work aims to decode the mechanisms by which gut microbes influence this immune pathway and the tumor microenvironment. By using gnotobiotic tumor models and genetic manipulation, Dr. Park is studying how gut bacteria signal immune cells in the tumor to promote anti-tumor immunity. He also plans to explore how commensal microbe-induced inflammation in the tumor environment could be leveraged to improve ICI efficacy, offering hope for patients who don’t respond to current treatments.

The Breakthrough Board is proud to support Dr. Park’s work!

03/17/2025

Congratulations and a HUGE thank you to Board member Kristin Atchison who represented at 2025! She is our champion!

Special thanks to the Board members and friends who supported Kristin in her journey to the dance floor, some of whom are shown here.

02/26/2025

Board member Kristin Atchison will be representing on the dance floor at the 2025 Dancing with Chicago Celebrities event on March 14! Kristin will compete as a Corporate Superstar, raising money to support breast cancer research through 💃🏼

To sponsor Kristin or attend, please click the link in bio.

02/19/2025

was honored to welcome Sridevi Challa, PhD of as a guest speaker during our February meeting! Dr. Challa was the 2024 Breakthrough Board Scholar and received the Board’s support for her work in understanding the relationship between ovarian cancer cells and fat cells to overcome treatment resistance.

Thank you Dr. Challa!

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Chicago, IL

Website

https://www.cancerresearchfdn.org/thebreakthroughboard/

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