Historic Investment Launches New Research on Brain Cancer

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and the Cycle for Survival community extend heartfelt gratitude to the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation and the Nussdorf Family Foundation for their generous commitment to establish The Lawrence C. Nussdorf Initiative in Glioblastoma Research at MSK. This extraordinary investment of $12.6 million, the largest in Cycle for Survival’s history, was made in memory of Larry Nussdorf, who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clark Enterprises, a private investment firm, and Director of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. For 13 years, the Clark Foundation has been an active supporter of Cycle for Survival, the official rare cancer fundraising program of MSK.     

The Cycle for Survival community plays a pivotal role in creating a new era in rare cancer research and care, one that enables rapid advances in treatment options to cascade to people around the world and improve outcomes. It is especially meaningful that the Clark Foundation and the Nussdorf Family Foundation are honoring Mr. Nussdorf’s legacy by supporting groundbreaking research on glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with few effective treatments. Their inspiring contributions will empower MSK’s dedicated scientists and doctors to pursue innovative ideas and confront the challenges of treating this rare cancer. Led by neuro-oncologist Ingo Mellinghoff, MD, Chair of the Department of Neurology, Chief of the Brain Tumor Service, and Evnin Family Chair in Neuro-Oncology, the initiative will capitalize on recent advances in diagnostics and clinical drug discovery to improve survival and quality of life for people facing glioblastoma. We are grateful to the Clark Foundation and the Nussdorf Family Foundation for their commitment to this important work and the hope it will bring to people with glioblastoma and their families for years to come.