By admin 
Including the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) in your will is a personal and meaningful way to create a world immune to cancer, a testament to the profound impact individuals can have on global health. This philanthropic commitment, often made through a legacy gift, represents a critical pillar of support for cutting-edge immunotherapy research, propelling scientific advancement and offering hope to countless patients worldwide. With August designated as Make-A-Will Month, there is a timely impetus for individuals to consider the lasting legacy they wish to leave, aligning their personal values with a cause that addresses one of humanity’s most formidable health challenges.
The decision to support CRI through a will or trust stems from a myriad of deeply personal and impactful motivations. Many supporters are directly influenced by the tangible successes of lifesaving immunotherapy treatments, either having personally benefited or witnessed their loved ones experience remarkable recoveries. These firsthand encounters underscore the transformative power of the science CRI champions. Others are drawn to CRI’s historic role as a pioneering force in the field, recognizing its unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding and translating groundbreaking discoveries into clinical realities. Across the spectrum of motivations, a common thread unites all who make such a gift: a profound understanding of the critical importance of CRI’s work in eradicating cancer.
The Strategic Significance of Legacy Gifts in Advancing Immunotherapy
Legacy gifts, or planned gifts, offer a simple yet profoundly flexible mechanism for individuals to contribute to the Cancer Research Institute’s mission. Unlike immediate donations, these gifts are typically made through a will, living trust, or other estate planning instruments, allowing donors to retain control of their assets during their lifetime while ensuring their philanthropic intentions are fulfilled posthumously. This strategic approach to giving is particularly vital for organizations like CRI, providing a stable, long-term funding stream that is essential for sustained, high-impact scientific research.
The foresight to establish a will or living trust, particularly during Make-A-Will Month, is not merely a matter of personal financial planning; it is an act that can ripple through generations, shaping the future of medicine. According to data from various philanthropic studies, legacy giving accounts for a significant portion of annual charitable contributions, often representing hundreds of billions of dollars globally. This enduring form of philanthropy allows non-profits to plan for the future with greater certainty, enabling them to invest in ambitious, multi-year research projects that might otherwise be deemed too risky or costly for short-term funding cycles. For CRI, these gifts are instrumental in sustaining the momentum of immunotherapy, a field that has revolutionized cancer treatment over the past two decades.
CRI’s Legacy of Excellence and Fiscal Stewardship
A cornerstone of CRI’s appeal to legacy donors is its sterling reputation for good governance and fiscal responsibility, regularly recognized by independent third-party assessors. Katherine Pooser, Director of Planned Giving at CRI, emphasizes this point: "When a person generously gives through a will or living trust, they can do so with confidence knowing CRI regularly receives recognition from third-party assessors for its good governance and fiscal responsibility." This assurance is paramount for donors who wish to ensure their charitable intentions are honored with integrity and efficiency, maximizing the impact of every dollar contributed.
Pooser further highlights the tangible difference these gifts make: "Supporters can also be confident that their gift makes a real difference. Bequests of every size come together to make up a substantial part of the funding that drives the next wave of immunotherapy developments." This collective impact underscores a fundamental principle of philanthropy: every contribution, regardless of its individual size, contributes to a larger, transformative endeavor. For CRI, this means that even a modest bequest can fund crucial laboratory supplies, support a budding scientist’s fellowship, or contribute to the infrastructure required for groundbreaking clinical trials. The aggregate power of these planned gifts provides the bedrock for CRI’s continued leadership in the immunotherapy landscape.
A Timeline of Immunotherapy: From Concept to Cornerstone
The journey of immunotherapy from a nascent scientific concept to a cornerstone of modern oncology is a testament to persistent research and strategic funding. For decades, traditional cancer treatments focused primarily on surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. While effective for some, these methods often carried significant side effects and proved insufficient for many advanced cancers.
- Late 19th Century: Early observations by William Coley in the 1890s, who noted tumor regression in patients with bacterial infections, sparked the initial, albeit crude, idea that the body’s immune system could fight cancer.
- Mid-20th Century: The formal establishment of the Cancer Research Institute in 1953 marked a pivotal moment. CRI was founded with a unique vision: to fund research into the immune system’s role in cancer, a field largely overlooked by mainstream oncology at the time. This prescient focus laid the groundwork for future breakthroughs.
- 1970s-1980s: Decades of foundational research, often supported by CRI, began to unravel the complex mechanisms of the immune system and how cancer cells evade detection. Discoveries related to T-cells, cytokines, and tumor antigens slowly built the scientific knowledge base.
- 1990s-Early 2000s: The first immunotherapies, such as IL-2 and interferon-alpha, gained limited approval, demonstrating modest but significant success in certain cancers. The concept of "checkpoint inhibitors" began to emerge, identifying molecular brakes on the immune system that could be released to unleash an anti-cancer response.
- 2010s: The Immunotherapy Revolution: This decade witnessed an explosion of breakthroughs, most notably with the development and approval of checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 blockers). These therapies, often building on research funded by CRI, demonstrated unprecedented and durable responses in a growing list of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and lymphomas. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2018 for discoveries in cancer therapy by inhibiting negative immune regulation underscored the paradigm shift.
- Present Day: Immunotherapy continues to evolve rapidly, with ongoing research into combination therapies, cellular therapies like CAR T-cell therapy, oncolytic viruses, and personalized cancer vaccines. CRI remains at the forefront, funding the next generation of scientists and projects that promise to expand immunotherapy’s reach and efficacy.
This rich chronology highlights that sustained, long-term funding, often made possible by legacy gifts, is not just beneficial but absolutely essential for such prolonged and complex scientific endeavors.
Fueling Pioneering Research: The Scientists Behind the Breakthroughs
Generous bequests enable CRI-funded scientists to continue their rigorous immunotherapy research, which holds the potential to benefit countless cancer patients globally. These researchers, often working at the vanguard of their respective fields, are engaged in diverse projects, each contributing a vital piece to the larger puzzle of cancer immunity. Whether a specific CRI scientist’s research involves exploring the intricate relationship between sensory neurons and lung cancer, as exemplified by researchers like Tamar Lea Ben-Shaanan, Ph.D., or investigating how artificial intelligence approaches can help scientists analyze T cells with unprecedented precision, as is the focus for Peng Jiang, Ph.D., they are deeply appreciative for CRI support. This critical assistance is made possible because of the community’s unwavering commitment to immunotherapy through gifts like bequests.
Dr. Lloyd Bod, a CRI Thompson Family Foundation CLIP Investigator and assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, articulates the profound impact of CRI’s support. "Being a CRI CLIP Investigator is an honor, and not only provides crucial funding, but also connects me with a network of researchers dedicated to making groundbreaking discoveries in immunotherapy," Dr. Bod stated. "It is a commitment to pursuing innovative science that can lead to life-saving therapies for patients worldwide." The CLIP (Clinic and Laboratory Integration Program) Investigator award is a prime example of how CRI strategically invests in promising young scientists, bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications. This program, sustained by long-term funding, nurtures the talent that will drive future breakthroughs.
Broader Impact and Implications: A World Immune to Cancer
The implications of robust legacy giving extend far beyond individual research projects; they touch upon the very fabric of scientific progress and public health. Legacy gifts provide financial stability, allowing CRI to make long-term commitments to research programs that might not yield immediate results but hold immense potential for transformative discoveries. This stability is crucial for tackling complex diseases like cancer, where breakthroughs often require years, if not decades, of sustained effort and investment.
Moreover, by funding high-risk, high-reward research, CRI fosters an environment of innovation. Many of the most significant scientific advancements initially faced skepticism or lacked conventional funding sources. CRI’s willingness to invest in novel, unconventional approaches to immunotherapy has historically paid dividends, accelerating the development of treatments that have changed the landscape of cancer care.
Consider the societal impact: a "world immune to cancer." This aspirational goal, while ambitious, is increasingly within reach due to advancements driven by immunotherapy. As more effective, less toxic treatments emerge, patients experience improved quality of life, longer survival rates, and in some cases, complete remission. The economic burden of cancer, encompassing healthcare costs, lost productivity, and caregiver strain, is immense. By investing in research that leads to cures and more effective treatments, legacy gifts contribute to a healthier, more productive society, reducing human suffering and freeing up resources that can be allocated elsewhere.
Perspectives from the Community: A Collective Endeavor
While the original article provides quotes from CRI staff and scientists, it is important to infer the perspectives of other stakeholders. A hypothetical patient, Sarah Chen, whose mother benefited from immunotherapy, might say: "When my mom was diagnosed, we thought there was no hope. Immunotherapy gave us back years we never expected. Knowing that my contribution, through our family’s will, can help another family experience that same miracle is incredibly fulfilling." This illustrates the profound gratitude and desire to pay it forward that often motivates legacy donors.
Similarly, a financial planning expert, perhaps Eleanor Vance, a certified financial planner, might add: "Many clients find immense satisfaction in planned giving. It allows them to make a significant philanthropic statement without impacting their current financial security. Structuring a legacy gift to an organization like CRI, which has a proven track record of impact and fiscal responsibility, is a sound decision that aligns personal values with long-term financial planning." Such a perspective underscores the practical and emotional benefits for donors.
No matter the specific details or size of a bequest, CRI remains profoundly grateful for every contribution. Each gift, whether a percentage of an estate, a specific asset, or a residual bequest, directly fuels scientific research conducted by the brightest minds in immunotherapy. These acts of generosity accelerate the journey toward a future where cancer is no longer a death sentence but a manageable or preventable disease.
Thank you for considering including the Cancer Research Institute in your will or living trust, and for joining in the collective effort to create a world immune to cancer. For individuals with questions about wills, bequests, or other forms of planned giving, CRI’s office of gift planning stands ready to provide guidance and support. Please call our office at 212-792-5212 for further assistance, ensuring your philanthropic vision translates into lasting scientific impact.
