May 5, 2007
A Magical evening: Friends of Dana-Farber honor the Perinis
Eileen and David Perini, honorees at the Friends Springtime Magic Gala
David and Eileen Perini, who have helped create and support survivorship services here since their son David Jr. died of cancer in 1990, were honored May 4 by the Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — a volunteer organization that funds many Dana-Farber programs, from fellowships to clinical research to patient gift bags to artwork on clinic walls.
At the "Springtime Magic" gala held in downtown Boston to celebrate the group's 31 years of service to Dana-Farber, the Friends of Dana-Farber and their guests enjoyed magic, the comedy of Jimmy Tingle, and a spirited live auction. Chaired by Friends Tobey Oresman and Tina Peters, both cancer survivors themselves, the night raised more than $420,000 for the cause. The 260 attendees saluted the Perinis' generosity, kindness, and vision for improving the experience of survivors at the event, and they heard from several speakers who remembered the younger David as a warm, engaging, creative person with a memorable laugh.
The Perini Family has been actively involved with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since its inception in 1947, but the family's involvement became very personal when David Jr. was diagnosed with cancer in 1982. In 1990, at the age of 26, he lost his battle. Following his death there was an outpouring of support in his name to Dana-Farber. His parents wanted to honor him and his life with these donations and established the David B. Perini Jr., Quality of Life Clinic for childhood cancer survivors.
Gala Co-Chair Tobey Oresman, Friends' Co-President Nancy Socol and Gala Co- Chair Tina Peters
Then in 2005, the Perini Family extended their work for cancer survivors with the establishment of the Perini Family Survivors' Center at Dana-Farber. This center now works in conjunction with David's clinic to coordinate research, care and education around survivorship issues for both adult and pediatric patients.
Jenny Perini, for one, recalled at the gala her brother's encounter with cancer. Her parents established the clinic to address the kinds of concerns he faced after chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, such as fertility and heart problems, as well as fear of the cancer recurring. Instead of retreating into their grief, Jenny said, her mom and dad "took their despair and converted it into something beautiful and caring."
The work done by David, Eileen and their supporters help to relieve the burdens of survivors of childhood and adult cancers and lets them concentrate on the most important tasks in their post-cancer lives — living.
The elder David Perini, whose own father, Louis, was instrumental in launching Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund nearly 60 years ago by helping to arrange a famous radio broadcast at a young cancer patient's bedside, told gala attendees: "I believe my dad and son are together looking down at this wonderful event and marveling at what's happening."
