Winter 2025
By Lucy McDonald
Cynthia Suprenant believes in keeping things simple. While her cumulative $1 million in contributions across Dana-Farber Cancer Institute may seem driven by results or carefully calculated outcomes, she insists her approach is rooted in something far more intuitive. Much like an investor backing promising startups, Suprenant places her trust in the leadership and vision of the institutions she supports, believing they are best equipped to identify where resources can make the greatest impact.
Suprenant traces her philosophy of giving back to her childhood, inspired by her Grandma Sullivan, who would carefully budget her household expenses and still set aside small amounts to give back to the local church. That early example of quiet generosity left a lasting impression on Suprenant, shaping her approach to philanthropy as an act of planting seeds and trusting experts to nurture them into something extraordinary. “I trust that the Institute will tell me what it needs,” Suprenant explained. “I just want to help smart people do things for sick people. I don’t want anything back from Dana-Farber other than for the good work to continue.” It was this same spirit of giving that guided her to Dana-Farber in 2017.
In addition to supporting Dana-Farber’s Institute priorities through unrestricted funding, Suprenant has focused her philanthropy on two key areas: the Program for Older Adults with Breast Cancer and the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living. Both reflect her intuitive approach to philanthropy, addressing needs that may not always be central to traditional cancer care but are deeply impactful for patients.
“I just want to help smart people do things for sick people.”
Cynthia Suprenant
The Program for Older Adults with Breast Cancer, one of the first of its kind in the U.S., serves patients over 70 by addressing their unique concerns. It offers specialized care, nutritional support, social workers, financial assistance, and integrative therapies. This multidisciplinary approach ensures patients receive holistic care to improve their quality of life. “A 78-year-old’s experience with recurrence is completely different from a 47-year-old’s,” Suprenant said. Her support has helped expand personalized care, empowering older patients with their treatment options.
The Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living offerings align with Suprenant’s belief in holistic care. For 25 years, the center has complemented medical treatment with therapies that reduce pain, anxiety, and side effects while improving quality of life. With support from donors like Suprenant, the center has expanded its offerings, helping patients navigate their cancer journeys.
Through $1 million in contributions, Suprenant has shown philanthropy doesn’t need a formula. Guided by intuition and trust, her giving supports meaningful care, whether for older adults with breast cancer or integrative therapies and highlights the impact of thoughtful, heartfelt philanthropy.