This year, extraordinary acts of generosity and resilience have come together to shape the future of cancer care in transformative ways. Kenneth Griffin's $50 million gift for the construction of the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building stands as a cornerstone of this momentum—accelerating innovation, collaboration and the pursuit of cures for generations to come.
Also central to this progress is Jayne S. Malfitano, chair of the Board of Governors at Sylvester. Her leadership has helped steward more than $62 million from the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation, fueling groundbreaking research and expanding community outreach through programs like the Game Changer vehicles. Honored as a Health Care Hero by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Malfitano continues to be a driving force behind Sylvester's mission.
Adding to this wave of support, the Batchelor Foundation awarded a $9.5 million gift to accelerate breakthrough treatments—and potential cures—for children with cancer, offering renewed hope to families through innovative research and comprehensive survivorship programs.
Alongside these foundational commitments, a series of major gifts is propelling advances across multiple areas of research and care. A $5.4 million bequest from Barry Farber is accelerating efforts in prostate and lung cancers—two areas of urgent need. Professional baseball player Anthony Rizzo's $900,000 pledge builds on his long-standing support of lymphoma research, honoring the care that once saved his life. The Bendetson family's $250,000 gift established the William and Rose Bendetson Skin Cancer Research Endowment, supporting promising new approaches to skin cancer treatment.
Other contributions reflect deeply personal commitments. Judith Engel's $50,000 gift created the Judith and Steven Engel Research and Education Endowment in Head and Neck Surgery, ensuring continued progress in a vital field. The Beyer Family Skin Cancer Prevention and Control Initiative, launched by Anthony Beyer, will provide targeted education to improve skin cancer prevention strategies across South Florida. Antonio Gonzalez, inspired by his own cancer journey, is supporting lung cancer research to help close critical gaps in care. And in a powerful tribute to Sean Stone, his family has raised funds in his memory to advance pioneering research and offer hope to others.
These visionary donors and leaders are shaping a future where cancer care is defined by innovation, compassion and a relentless pursuit of progress, creating a legacy that will endure for years to come.