Donor Stories
Men and women support Dana-Farber and its Jimmy Fund for a variety of reasons. Read their stories of hope:
A home run for The Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber: Benefactor makes the right call with a Charitable Gift Annuity
Over the past 30 years, Bill Pullan, the New England commissioner for Babe Ruth Baseball, has been going to bat for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber in a big way. Under his leadership, the tournament directors, coaches, and players have raised nearly $1 million for cancer research and care at Dana- Farber through a number of baseball tournaments. Read more
Silver lining in a bleak economy: Longos find economic benefit to giving
The nation's cloudy financial forecast has many people wondering how they can support their favorite charities during the weak economy. Fortunately for couples like Arline and Mike Longos, the U.S. government has provided a good solution. Read more
Bob Cousy makes commitment to help Dana-Farber win the fight against cancer
He was called "the Houdini of the Hardwoods." A celebrated member of the Boston Celtics from 1950-1963, Bob Cousy is primarily known by fans as one of the greatest players ever to step onto a basketball court. In addition to his role in shaping sports history, Cousy has also been devoted to changing the world through his philanthropic efforts. Read more
Burnett gift of a lifetime translates into hope
Throughout her 90 years, Doris Burnett touched the lives of many. During her younger years in Northampton, Mass., she served as an instructor at Northampton Commercial College. Later, she dedicated her time to the armed forces, serving as a transportation agent for the Springfield Armory and the Department of Defense and a hospital volunteer during World War II, providing aid to wounded soldiers. In her personal life, she was a loving wife to the late John Burnett and an important person to her many relatives. Read more
Keenan bequest marks a life filled with generosity and compassion
Margaret "Peggy" Keenan lived a life dedicated to making a difference in her community and within her own family. She spent her early adulthood as a teacher and social worker, helping people try to advance in their lives. Later, she worked as an administrator with A&P Supermarket for 37 years. In her personal life, Keenan, who never married, was the primary caregiver for her aging parents until their deaths. Read more
Field bequest reflects a life dedicated to furthering research
Frances "Billie" Wilson Field lived her life on her own terms. Born in 1911, she grew up in an era when it was rare for a woman to pursue an independent career. But Field followed her own path, eventually into her role as a lab technician working to find ways to treat and prevent diseases. Read more
Halpern's CGA Honors his Dana-Farber Caregivers
As a college professor, Lawrence Halpern has spent nearly 16 years teaching finance and ethics to eager business students. But upon his diagnosis with prostate cancer in 1989, the tables were turned. Halpern found himself in the position of a pupil learning from Dana-Farber how to beat the disease.
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Davidson bequest advances breast cancer research
Much like thousands of people everywhere, Polly Davidson was intimately acquainted with cancer during her lifetime. Her young son, Chips, was a leukemia patient and though he tragically succumbed to the disease, Davidson continued to remain involved in the fight against cancer. Read more
Family's gift transforms helplessness into hope
When Sarah Ann Leake's husband, Peter, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1988, she and her five children were confronted with the harsh realities of the disease. Peter was given just eight months to live. Unfortunately, many pancreatic cancer patients face a similar prognosis because the disease presents few symptoms before reaching an advanced stage. Read more
Hollomon's devotion to Red Sox inspires charitable gift annuity
Nancy Hollomon is the consummate Red Sox fan. To honor her favorite ball club and its longstanding commitment to fighting cancer, Hollomon created a $10,000 charitable gift annuity (CGA) at Dana-Farber. Read more
Margie Plotka Levine dedicated her life to empowering others
In 1989, 43-year-old Margie Plotka Levine was diagnosed with the deadliest form of lung cancer—malignant pleural mesothelioma. Given months to live, she fought back by adopting her own therapeutic program blending traditional and complementary medicine. Read more
Bette Winik extends her legacy of compassion
Bette Winik dedicated her life, both personally and professionally, to helping others. After her diagnosis with advanced ovarian cancer in 2003, Winik was treated at Dana-Farber and became committed to the cause of cancer prevention and research. Read more
Malkiel's charitable gift annuity keeps on giving
Julian Malkiel has created a legacy of compassion at Dana-Farber. With his $100,000 gift, the financially savvy retiree established a charitable gift annuity (CGA) that will help sustain the Institute's lifesaving work and provides him with a guaranteed annual income in return. Read more
