Philanthropy drives impact
Donor support—of all sizes and forms—is a critical part of the UVM Cancer Center’s mission.
Philanthropy Advances Research
Jessica L. Heath, M.D., is on a quest to find new therapeutic targets for pediatric leukemia patients who don’t respond well to traditional chemotherapy. Much of that research happens at the Heath Lab, where Dr. Heath – a pediatric oncologist and Associate Director for Clinical and Translational Research at the Cancer Center – mentors ambitious young scientists committed to researching new treatments for childhood cancer.
Dr. Heath's lab is funded almost entirely by philanthropic gifts. Many are from Vermont families who lost children to the very disease Dr. Heath focuses on. One of those is the Sean Patrick Waldron Lymphoma and Hematologic Malignancies Fund, which has given generously to support Dr. Heath’s work. With these funds, the Heath Lab was able to resume research on an unusual subtype of leukemia to understand how it interacts with other proteins in the cell. The team will share its findings at the American Society of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology meeting in 2025.
Philanthropy Supports Education and Community Outreach
Philanthropic Gift Puts Cancer Care on the Road
Many rural communities face steep barriers to accessing critical health care services. The UVM Cancer Center aims to close these gaps with a new outreach campaign that brings cancer screenings and education to Vermont’s population – by van.
Made possible in part by a generous philanthropic gift, the BioMobile Discovery Lab will take Cancer Care clinicians all over the state to conduct genetic screening and research, and share science education resources and curricula with high schools across rural Vermont.
Philanthropy Supports Cancer Patient Care
Through creative "DIY" community events and corporate initiatives, local schools, community groups, and businesses are leading the way in helping those around them who are facing their own cancer journeys.
Cancer Center's Patient Support Fund Receives Community-based Donation
The organization 100 Women Who Care epitomizes the phrase, “strength in numbers.” Each quarter, this Chittenden County-based group pools donations from its members and gives the total to nonprofits in the community.
In 2024, the UVM Cancer Center was nominated by member Nancy Gell, Ph.D., MPH, and received a $4,000 donation for the center's patient support fund. Accepting the award on behalf of the Cancer Center was Amy Bertrand, MSW, who is part of the oncology social work team that guides patients navigating the physical, social, emotional and financial challenges of their cancer diagnosis.
Lindsay Longe Executive Director of Philanthropy
You can make a difference.
Learn more about how you can support our mission: