Gift to support immunology research in honor of late Dr. Lawrence D. Jacobs, a pioneer in medicine
BUFFALO, N.Y. (March 12, 2007) – Jeremy Jacobs, chairman and CEO of global hospitality company Delaware North Companies and owner of the Boston Bruins, has provided a $1 million gift with his family to support an endowed chair in Immunology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) in Buffalo, NY. The gift was made to RPCI’s Leaders for Life endowment campaign in honor of Jacobs’ brother, the late Dr. Lawrence D. Jacobs, an internationally renowned immunology researcher who died in 2001.
The Jacobs’ family gift will support Dr. Jacobs’ vision for additional landmark advances in the field of immunology. Dr. Jacobs’ research centered on developing better treatment for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, and his studies led to the development of the drug Avonex, the most widely prescribed drug used to treat this debilitating form of the disease. The Jacobs Family Chair in Immunology will support innovative research led by Kelvin P. Lee, MD.
“When one understands the significance of what an endowment can bring to a world-class medical organization like Roswell, the decision [to make such a gift] is an easy one,” said Jacobs. “In the end, our wish is simple—we hope that this gift will make a difference.”
About Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center headquartered in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs in New York, Pennsylvania and in China. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail [email protected].