Fall 2025
By Hannah White Hannah
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund’s annual Giving Day, held on Wednesday, May 21 this year, united patients, families, employees, and supporters worldwide in giving to Dana-Farber’s mission to defy cancer. All donations supporting Giving Day were tripled-matched to fuel groundbreaking research and compassionate care, thanks to a generous $250,000 gift from an anonymous Dana-Farber Trustee. During this Giving Day, over $832,000 was raised, surpassing the goal of $500,000 in unrestricted funds, with 94% of the total being unrestricted. This funding is crucial as it provides researchers the flexibility to pursue innovative treatments and breakthroughs at a rapid pace. Patients like Catherine benefit directly from the lifesaving research and care made possible through Giving Day.
Catherine’s journey with cancer began unexpectedly while living abroad in Geneva, Switzerland. At 30 weeks pregnant, she discovered a lump on her chest, initially dismissing it as a pregnancy-related issue. Her diagnosis of stage II triple-negative breast cancer came as a shock.
Faced with the daunting reality of cancer during pregnancy, Catherine found hope at Dana-Farber. “When I found out that Dana-Farber has a program specifically for patients diagnosed with cancer while pregnant, I felt a sense of relief,” she said. Under the care of Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, the Eric P. Winer, MD, Chair in Breast Cancer Research at Dana-Farber, Catherine embarked on a comprehensive treatment plan. “The care I have received at Dana-Farber has been nothing short of amazing,” she shared. Today, Catherine is grateful to Dana-Farber for the support that allows her to focus on her health and her family, including her newborn daughter, Camila, who was delivered safely and is perfectly healthy.
The success of Giving Day is a testament to the power of community. With the community’s support on Giving Day and every day, Dana-Farber maintains its momentum, ensuring we are there for every patient who walks through our doors.