Family's gift transforms helplessness into hope
When Peter Leake succumbed to pancreatic cancer, his family made a gift to Dana-Farber in his memory.
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.
After losing her husband, Leake researched institutions she could support in finding a cure. Since making connections at Dana-Farber, she has become a firm believer in and a steadfast supporter of the Dana-Farber.
Her recent gift of $100,000 created the Leake Family Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund in memory of Peter. Directed by Institute physician Charles Fuchs, MD, MPH, in consultation with Sapna Syngal, MD, MPH, the fund will further discoveries that may lead to better outcomes for patients.
"Mrs. Leake's generosity gives us the opportunity to conduct more studies on both prevention and treatment," said Fuchs. "This will likely offer new therapeutics for patients, as well as a more fundamental understanding of cancer biology."
With this gift, Leake wants to help encourage developments leading to earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments. By doing so, she has committed to help others like her husband affected by this disease.
"My family and I hope Dana-Farber will be able to pinpoint what is causing pancreatic cancer so that it can be stopped earlier," she said. "Then there will be more of a chance of beating it."
