Statement from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute concerning Palm Beach fundraiser

Posted date

We have heard from numerous patients, faculty, staff, students and supporters in the last week, many with strong feelings. We appreciate their respectful and constructive concern, and recognize that we all are doing what we think is best for the Institute and the mission we share.

This will be our seventh year of holding this event at Mar-a-Lago. Our decision last year to continue to rent that facility for this long-standing fundraiser was never meant to be, and does not now intend to be, any type of political statement or endorsement of any political figure or policy position.

A decision at this point to cancel, as has been requested by some, would also be seen as a political statement, and again, our goal is to stay out of politics. Cancer affects everyone, and we are a non-partisan, non-profit healthcare institution.

Because this event has become such a lightning rod for some, in the future we will avoid controversial venues that may distract from our focus on cancer care and research.

It is our strongest desire to make clear the continued, non-partisan intention of this event and get back to the work that matters most--taking care of people with cancer who need our help, and developing the next generation of new medicines to treat this deadly disease.

Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, President and CEO
Josh Bekenstein, Chairman, Board of Trustees


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