About Our Organization

Founded in 1947, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation Women's Board raises funds through its Grand Auction, annual appeal, Dream Home Preview party and other events to support basic cancer biology research at the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center.

Through its efforts every year, the 70-plus board members make significant contributions to this comprehensive cancer center. Specifically, their funds have helped make it possible to bring new scientists to the University and to support their research activities until they have been able to obtain research grant funding.

The funds support the Ben May Institute for Cancer Research at the university and continue to be instrumental in the establishment of core laboratory facilities where discovery takes place. Use of these core facilities has been stimulated by the Women's Board establishment of a research fund that can support young investigators engaged in cancer research.

The Ben May Institute, founded in 1951 by Dr. Charles Huggins, has continued the tradition of strong, dynamic research for the study of cancer biology. A recipient of the 1966 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Dr. Huggins is sometimes called the father of chemotherapy. Dr. Huggins founded the institute with the single goal: eliminate the scourge of cancer.

The University of Chicago continues in that goal by linking laboratory research with innovative and effective treatments. With labs, clinics and hospital close together, researchers and clinicians work side by side to apply knowledge gained from new discoveries to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.