The Belfer Center is powered by the dedication and support of visionary donors. Your investment provides our world-class scientists with access to the tools and technology they need to collaborate and develop the next generation of cancer treatments.
Robert A. and Renée E. Belfer Foundation
In 1999, with generous support from the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Foundation, the Belfer Center for Cancer Genomics was founded. The Center initially focused on developing high-resolution platforms and computational tools for global genomic profiling of DNA abnormalities in human cancers. The center also established a robust pipeline for high-throughput genomic analyses of human and mouse tumors, and became one of The Cancer Genome Atlas’ select Cancer Genome Characterization Centers during its Pilot Phase (2006-2009).
In 2004, the Center for Applied Cancer Science at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute was established, designed to bring together the best attributes of academia and industry to rapidly translate cancer genomics knowledge into more effective cancer therapies. In 2006, with a visionary commitment from the Robert A. and Renée E. Belfer Foundation, the Belfer Center for Cancer Genomics and the Center for Applied Cancer Science became the Robert A. and Renée E. Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science.
In 2015, thanks to a transformational gift from the Belfers, the Belfer Center moved into the Longwood Center, a new state-of-the-art research facility. There, Belfer Center scientists are working alongside renowned Dana-Farber chemists and biologists to accelerate the pace of novel drug discovery and deliver new treatments to cancer patients faster. In 2023, The Belfer Center launched a new initiative utilizing innovative immuno-oncology research to help predict responses to immunotherapies and improve patient outcomes.
These gifts bring the Belfers’ total giving to Dana-Farber to more than $35 million.
Expect Miracles Foundation
Since 2007, Expect Miracles Foundation has awarded more than $13 million in grants to the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, enabling our scientists to work with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to efficiently translate Dana-Farber science into the next generation of cancer treatments.
Expect Miracles Foundation’s mission is to bring hope to the cancer community by rallying the financial services industry and beyond to invest in life-saving cancer research, while advancing the financial and emotional health of people impacted by cancer.