As the Board Chair/Executive Director of the Emily Whitehead Foundation, I've had the privilege of directly contributing to the fight against cancer. Our creation of a young researcher grant, inspired by the bold thinking of immunotherapy pioneer Dr. Carl June, is just one way we're fostering innovation in cancer research. Now, I'm embarking on a new mission to climb to Everest Base Camp. This climb is not merely a personal challenge—it is a call to action to support the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and contribute to the global fight against cancer.
My connection to this cause is deeply personal. As a child, I was moved to tears by Danny Thomas's discussions about pediatric cancer on St. Jude's commercials. Many years later, those same tears flowed when I heard Tom Whitehead speak about his daughter Emily's journey to CAR-T treatment. Witnessing Emily's bravery and the groundbreaking science that saved her life inspired me to do more, leading to my involvement with the Emily Whitehead Foundation and my decision to undertake this climb.
Cancer is a formidable adversary. According to the World Health Organization, it is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2020. The National Cancer Institute estimated approximately 1.9 million new cases of cancer and over 600,000 cancer deaths in the United States in 2021.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has been at the forefront of this battle. Since 1946, the foundation has invested over $400 million in innovative cancer research, funding more than 3,700 young scientists, many of whom, like Dr. Carl June, have made transformative discoveries and won prestigious awards. As the Emily Whitehead Foundation's mission evolves towards patient support and advocating for access to advanced therapies for all I couldn't think of a better partner to help drive the innovation needed to create more of these treatments for even smaller patient populations.
The fight against cancer is not a solitary one—it requires all of us. In my role at the Emily Whitehead Foundation, I've seen firsthand the power of collaboration. It takes an alliance of scientists, foundations, and individuals like you to make progress against this disease. By sponsoring my climb, you're not just supporting my journey—you're becoming part of a collective effort to back the brave scientists working tirelessly to combat cancer. From there we can help address the 80% of eligible patients that are not yet receiving these commercially approved advanced therapies.
Join me in this journey. Let's conquer the heights of Everest together and stand united in the fight against cancer. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant impact in this crucial cause.