Fall 2025
By Robbie Merritt
Through an estate provision added to her will, Anne P. Olsen has bequeathed $1 million to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The gift will be directed to the Hilary J. Olsen Fund for Metastatic Breast Cancer, which was established in 2019 by Anne’s son, Jeff. The fund is in memory of Jeff’s late wife Hilary, who was treated twice for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) at Dana-Farber.
Anne’s generous gift, prompted by her daughter-in-law’s diagnosis as well as the diagnosis of her mother, sister, and grandmother all with breast cancer, will support the research of Erica L. Mayer, MD, MPH, director of breast cancer clinical research at Dana-Farber. Mayer cared for Hilary from the time of her breast cancer recurrence in 2015 until her passing in November 2018.
“Cancer is a disease that has affected my whole family, so it feels good to give back,” Anne said. “With metastatic cancers especially, funding for research and testing is so important to be able to understand the unique profile of each patient’s cancer and select the best therapies for them.”
“You hear more stories today than ever before of people surviving for years with metastatic cancers, so it’s a hopeful area, but it has a long way to go,” added Anne’s son, Jeff. “You can see changes in results every day, and it’s important to continue that momentum.”
Through the Olsen Fund, Anne’s bequest will bolster critical care and research for MBC patients at Dana-Farber, including clinical trials and fellowship opportunities, and support Mayer’s research on understanding tumor biology and investigating novel targeted therapies that may shape the future of breast cancer care.
“Not only am I grateful for these funds, which will help drive forward critical work in the breast cancer space, but I am also so heartened that this fund will continue to keep Hilary’s legacy alive,” said Mayer. “Hilary was such a special person, with enormous kindness, enthusiasm, humor, and an incredible ability to support everyone around her. I was so honored to care for her and to meet her amazing family.”
As part of her $1 million bequest, Anne has committed to making annual gifts to the Olsen Fund through her son Jeff’s participation in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), the sum of which will be credited toward her bequest. Jeff rides in the PMC as captain of Team Bunger’s Bikers and directs his fundraising to the Olsen Fund. He has participated in the annual two-day bike-a-thon since 2008.