Jen Cunningham Butler lives in Arlington with her husband, Dan. She was raised in a family where community involvement and philanthropy were central tenets. Jen’s mother, Sheila Driscoll Cunningham, was Founding President of the Friends of Dana-Farber, a long-time volunteer in the Dana-Farber gift shop, a member of the Patient Advisory Council, and an Institute Trustee. Jen’s father, Ingersoll “Sandy” Cunningham, has been a volunteer at the Institute for over 20 years. Since he retired in 1998, he has been bringing food and encouragement to patients on the treatment floors.
Jen carries on her family legacy as a past President of the Friends and a 23-year rider in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), for which she is currently a member of team Dana-Farber Flames. Jen has also organized four PMC Kids Rides at Brookwood School, where she has worked for more than 30 years as a teacher and administrator and currently teaches third grade. The PMC and the Institute remain important causes for her extended family as well, with five other family members who have ridden in the PMC, and two of Jen’s nieces now working at the Institute. Jen herself was treated for breast cancer at Dana-Farber and remains grateful to her oncology team for her successful treatment and ongoing wellness.
Jen joined the Friends board in 2010 and served as Co-President from 2015 – 2017. Her work on behalf of the Friends was honored through the 2017 Sidney Farber Volunteer Award.