BCRF Commits $6 Million in Research Grants to New England Researchers

BCRF’s Boston Hot Pink Luncheon & Symposium celebrated the multi-million dollar commitment, dedicated in memory of Dr. Carolyn Kaelin

BCRF announced its dedication of $6 million in grants to scientific investigators at premier medical institutions in the New England region at its annual Luncheon & Symposium at the Boston Harbor Hotel on October 23. One of the largest private funders of breast cancer research in the world, BCRF has cumulatively invested $58 million in the region. This year BCRF has committed $48.5 million in 2015-2016 annual grants to more than 240 medical scientists on five continents—29 of which hail from New England.  

“At BCRF, we fund innovators, creative thinkers—game changers. In New England, there’s an undeniable brilliance factor,” President of BCRF Myra Biblowit said. “New England residents should take pride in the fact that, right in their backyard, the best minds in science are working diligently to prevent and end cancer.”

This year’s Boston Hot Pink Luncheon & Symposium was dedicated in memory of Dr. Carolyn Kaelin. The symposium featured a panel discussion on “Understanding Women’s Risk for Breast Cancer and Other Cancers.” Led by Clifford A. Hudis, MD, Chairman of BCRF Scientific Advisory Board, the panelists included Judy E. Garber, MD, MPH, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School and Nadine M. Tung, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School.

Special attendees included breast cancer survivors Kelley Tuthill of WCVB, Davina McNaney and Carol Stevens—one of the longest living survivors of breast cancer (diagnosed at 33, now 91 years old).

The luncheon, which raised over $300,000, was sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co., and included an informal fashion presentation featuring Fall 2015 Collections by Neiman Marcus Boston.