For many, the act of drafting a will is a pragmatic exercise in estate planning—a way to ensure that one’s assets are distributed according to personal wishes. However, for a growing number of forward-thinking donors, it has become something much more profound: a lasting contribution to the most transformative frontier in modern medicine.
As we observe "Make-A-Will Month" this August, the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) is highlighting the vital role that legacy giving plays in the global fight against cancer. By including the CRI in a will or living trust, supporters are not merely signing a legal document; they are fueling the next generation of immunotherapy breakthroughs that promise a world where cancer is no longer a terminal diagnosis, but a manageable, or even curable, condition.
The Evolution of Immunotherapy: A Historical Context
To understand why legacy gifts are so critical, one must first appreciate the journey of immunotherapy. For decades, the pillars of cancer treatment were limited to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. These approaches, while lifesaving, often came at a high cost to the patient’s overall health.
The Cancer Research Institute was founded on the radical premise that the immune system, our own internal defense mechanism, could be harnessed to identify and destroy cancer cells. This was a bold, often dismissed, idea in the mid-20th century. Over the last several decades, through the persistent funding of high-risk, high-reward research, CRI has helped turn this "fringe" concept into the fourth pillar of cancer care.
The chronology of this progress is marked by key milestones:
- The Early Years: CRI provided the foundational funding to prove that the immune system could be trained to recognize tumor-specific antigens.
- The Checkpoint Revolution: In the 2010s, CRI-backed research led to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which "release the brakes" on the immune system, allowing it to attack tumors with unprecedented efficacy.
- The Era of Precision: Today, researchers are utilizing artificial intelligence and genomic sequencing to tailor immunotherapies to individual patients, ensuring the right treatment reaches the right person at the right time.
Supporting the Vanguard: The Role of Legacy Gifts
Legacy gifts—bequests made through wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations—provide the long-term financial stability that CRI needs to commit to multi-year research projects. Unlike annual donations, which are often used for immediate operating costs, legacy gifts represent a commitment to the future.
Katherine Pooser, Director of Planned Giving at CRI, emphasizes that this form of philanthropy is accessible to everyone. "When a person generously gives through a will or living trust, they can do so with confidence knowing CRI regularly receives recognition from third-party assessors for its good governance and fiscal responsibility," Pooser explains.
She notes that the impact is cumulative. "Supporters can also be confident that their gift makes a real difference. Bequests of every size come together to make up a substantial part of the funding that drives the next wave of immunotherapy developments."
Supporting Data: Why CRI Remains a Gold Standard
In an era of charity fatigue, potential donors often demand transparency and proof of impact. The Cancer Research Institute has consistently met these demands. By maintaining a 100-percent, four-star rating from major charity evaluators, CRI ensures that every dollar donated—whether through a large endowment or a modest bequest—is funneled directly into the scientific pipeline.
The financial data supports this:
- Research Efficiency: A significant majority of every dollar spent by CRI goes directly toward supporting research programs and scientific education.
- Global Reach: CRI-funded scientists are currently working in dozens of countries, creating a global network that shares data and accelerates the pace of discovery.
- Clinical Impact: Because of these funds, clinical trials have been established that have saved thousands of lives, turning Stage IV diagnoses into stories of remission and recovery.
The Human Element: Voices from the Lab
The heart of the Cancer Research Institute is its community of investigators. These are the "brightest minds" mentioned by the organization, individuals who are pushing the boundaries of what is biologically possible.
Dr. Lloyd Bod, a CRI Thompson Family Foundation CLIP Investigator and assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, articulates the importance of this support. "Being a CRI CLIP Investigator is an honor, and not only provides crucial funding, but also connects me with a network of researchers dedicated to making groundbreaking discoveries in immunotherapy," Dr. Bod says. "It is a commitment to pursuing innovative science that can lead to life-saving therapies for patients worldwide."
The research funded by these gifts is incredibly diverse. Some scientists are investigating the hidden intersection between the nervous system and the immune system, such as how sensory neurons influence lung cancer progression. Others, like Dr. Peng Jiang, are pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to analyze T-cell behaviors, allowing scientists to "see" how immune cells interact with cancer at a level of detail previously thought impossible.
The Implications: A World Immune to Cancer
The ultimate goal of legacy giving is simple but monumental: to build a world where cancer is a manageable condition.
Why Make a Will This August?
"Make-A-Will Month" serves as a crucial reminder that estate planning is not just about asset division; it is an act of legacy. By establishing a will, individuals gain peace of mind, knowing their families are protected, while simultaneously ensuring that their values—such as the commitment to scientific progress and the alleviation of human suffering—continue to live on.
The Ripple Effect of Your Gift
When you include the Cancer Research Institute in your estate plans, the impact ripples through the medical community. It allows for:
- Risk-Taking: Government funding, such as the NIH, often requires preliminary data that is difficult to obtain. CRI’s legacy-funded grants allow scientists to take the initial risks necessary to generate that data.
- Mentorship: By funding the careers of young investigators, donors are essentially "buying" decades of future research.
- Collaborative Infrastructure: Your gift supports the infrastructure—the databases, the conferences, and the communication channels—that allows scientists to work together rather than in silos.
Taking the Next Step
For those who have been touched by cancer—either personally or through a loved one—the desire to do something lasting is often overwhelming. The Cancer Research Institute offers a path to channel that sentiment into tangible, measurable change.
Whether you are in the process of drafting your first will or looking to update an existing trust, adding a charitable provision for the Cancer Research Institute is a straightforward process. It does not require a massive fortune; it requires only the intent to make a difference.
If you have questions regarding the logistics of including the CRI in your estate plans, or if you simply wish to learn more about the specific areas of research your legacy gift could support, the Office of Gift Planning is available to provide guidance. You can contact them directly at 212-792-5212.
Conclusion: A Lasting Promise
Cancer has stolen too much from too many. By choosing to support the Cancer Research Institute through a legacy gift, you are declaring that you want to be part of the solution. You are ensuring that, long after you are gone, your commitment to life, to science, and to hope continues to advance.
As we navigate this August, let us take the opportunity to look forward. By finalizing your will today, you are providing the fuel for the breakthroughs of tomorrow. Together, through the power of research and the generosity of our community, we can create a world immune to cancer.
