25 Years of
Transformational BRCA
Breakthroughs
2019
Progress Report
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were discovered 25 years ago. Since then, our understanding of hereditary cancers has profoundly changed. The Basser Center was founded in 2012 to accelerate this understanding and propel progress in treatment opportunities and scientific discovery. Basser’s mission is to see a world free of the devastating effects of BRCA-related cancers.
Basser Center Takes Aim at BRCA
SUSAN M. DOMCHEK, MD
Basser Professor in Oncology
Basser Center Executive Director
At Basser, 25 million people affected means 25 million opportunities for a cure.
The discovery of BRCA1 and BRCA2 sparked incredible innovation in cancer research. The Basser Center at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center turned that initial spark into a flame of promise — a focus on ensuring that future generations have better options. Basser is committed to collaborative science and compassionate clinical care. We know that approximately 25 million people are affected worldwide, but only 10% are aware of their mutation status. By raising awareness, Basser is saving lives. While our innovative research starts at Penn, it extends to best-in-class institutions around the world. This collective spirit has led to unparalleled collaboration and will push us to faster progress.
Our goal is to engage as many esteemed partners as possible in this mission. This collaborative approach is revolutionizing the field, expanding genetic testing, and spreading life-saving information to high-risk populations.
How Your Dollars Have Made a Difference
How Your Dollars Have Made a Difference
SWIPE 
BRCA by the Numbers
1 in 300
people in the general population are estimated to have a BRCA mutation
1 in 40
people in the Ashkenazi Jewish population have a BRCA mutation
1 in 7
women with ovarian cancer have a BRCA mutation
Increased Risk of Cancer
7%
Men and women with a BRCA2 mutation have up to a 7% lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer
25%
Men with a BRCA2 mutation have up to a 25% lifetime risk of aggressive prostate cancer
50%
Women with a BRCA1 mutation have up to a 50% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer
75%
Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have up to a 75% lifetime risk of breast cancer
Past
Where We Started
Past
The journey to understanding BRCA1 and BRCA2 began with a spark. In 2019, we recognized the 25th anniversary of the first time researchers identified the complete sequence of BRCA1 and quantified the corresponding lifetime risks of breast and ovarian cancers.
BRCA1 is cloned.
The most common BRCA1 mutation is traced back to families of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Subsequently, two additional mutations — one in BRCA1 and one in BRCA2 — are identified as common Founder mutations in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are seen in every race and ethnicity.
BRCA2 is cloned.
BRCA2 mutations are linked to male breast cancer.
BRCA2 mutations are linked to prostate cancer.
Research solidifies the role of BRCA1 in homologous recombination.
Bilateral preventive mastectomy is demonstrated to substantially reduce the incidence of breast cancer among women with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2.
The role of 53bp1 in regulating BRCA1 is discovered. (Penn Medicine's Roger Greenberg, MD, PhD, is currently pursuing research in this critical area.)
PARP inhibitors are shown to kill cells that do not have BRCA1 or BRCA2 protein present.
A paradigm-changing discovery by Basser Center’s Ronny Drapkin, PhD, and colleagues revealed that the majority of high-grade serous ovarian cancers arise in the fallopian tubes.
Research led by Basser Center Executive Director Susan M. Domchek, MD, showed strong evidence that removal of the ovaries improved overall survival in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.
Mindy and Jon Gray establish the Basser Center for BRCA.
Basser Global Prize is established and endowed by Shari and Len Potter.
FDA approved first PARP-inhibitor olaparib for BRCA-related ovarian cancer based on research led by the Basser Center. (PARP-inhibitors are a therapy that can stop cancerous cells from repairing themselves.)
Evidence shows that PARP inhibitors may be helpful in BRCA1/2-related pancreatic and prostate cancer.
Basser Center research supported the FDA approval of rucaparib for BRCA-related ovarian cancer.
FDA approved niraparib for all ovarian cancers.
Basser Center studies led to the FDA approval of olaparib and talazoparib for BRCA-related breast cancer.
Basser Center investigator Kim Reiss Binder, MD, showed that PARP Inhibitors are an effective and less toxic maintenance therapy for patients with BRCA-related pancreatic cancer.
Olaparib is approved in first line maintenance for BRCA1/2-related ovarian cancer.
Past
The journey to understanding BRCA1 and BRCA2 began with a spark. In 2019, we recognized the 25th anniversary of the first time researchers identified the complete sequence of BRCA1 and quantified the corresponding lifetime risks of breast and ovarian cancers.
BRCA1 is cloned.
The most common BRCA1 mutation is traced back to families of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Subsequently, two additional mutations — one in BRCA1 and one in BRCA2 — are identified as common Founder mutations in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are seen in every race and ethnicity.
BRCA2 is cloned.
BRCA2 mutations are linked to male breast cancer.
BRCA2 mutations are linked to prostate cancer.
Research solidifies the role of BRCA1 in homologous recombination.
Bilateral preventive mastectomy is demonstrated to substantially reduce the incidence of breast cancer among women with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2.
The role of 53bp1 in regulating BRCA1 is discovered. (Penn Medicine's Roger Greenberg, MD, PhD, is currently pursuing research in this critical area.)
PARP inhibitors are shown to kill cells that do not have BRCA1 or BRCA2 protein present.
A paradigm-changing discovery by Basser Center’s Ronny Drapkin, PhD, and colleagues revealed that the majority of high-grade serous ovarian cancers arise in the fallopian tubes.
Research led by Basser Center Executive Director Susan M. Domchek, MD, showed strong evidence that removal of the ovaries improved overall survival in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.
Mindy and Jon Gray establish the Basser Center for BRCA.
Basser Global Prize is established and endowed by Shari and Len Potter.
FDA approved first PARP-inhibitor olaparib for BRCA-related ovarian cancer based on research led by the Basser Center. (PARP-inhibitors are a therapy that can stop cancerous cells from repairing themselves.)
Evidence shows that PARP inhibitors may be helpful in BRCA1/2-related pancreatic and prostate cancer.
Basser Center research supported the FDA approval of rucaparib for BRCA-related ovarian cancer.
FDA approved niraparib for all ovarian cancers.
Basser Center studies led to the FDA approval of olaparib and talazoparib for BRCA-related breast cancer.
Basser Center investigator Kim Reiss Binder, MD, showed that PARP Inhibitors are an effective and less toxic maintenance therapy for patients with BRCA-related pancreatic cancer.
Olaparib is approved in first line maintenance for BRCA1/2-related ovarian cancer.
SWIPE
Present
New in 2019
Present
The Basser Center continues to extend the reach of its top researchers and clinicians by constantly innovating and collaborating to bring the best care possible to patients around the world.
In 2019 alone, Basser has:
20
Funded Research
Projects
6
External
Grants Awarded
$12M
Raised From Over
1,000 Donors
Our Key Research Breakthroughs
PARP Inhibitor Trial for BRCA 1/2 and PALB2-Related Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and one of the most difficult cancers to treat. And while BRCA mutations are most closely associated with breast and ovarian cancers, they also lead to an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. The discovery of these relationships is already improving outcomes for affected patients. The Basser Center’s Kim Reiss Binder, MD, an Assistant Professor of Hematology-Oncology, is studying the use of PARP inhibitors for pancreatic cancer patients with a BRCA mutation.
In 2019, Dr. Reiss Binder presented preliminary results from a clinical trial that showed that switching patients with incurable pancreatic cancer to the PARP inhibitor rucaparib as maintenance therapy instead of continuing intensive chemotherapy either shrunk tumors or stopped them from growing altogether. She is now preparing to launch a national trial to use this therapy in a frontline treatment setting, in the hope that it will offer cures to more patients. These discoveries represent an opportunity to change the face of BRCA-related pancreatic cancer, and give affected patients a chance at a better and longer life.
To be able to offer a targeted therapy with much less toxicity, even if only for a subset of our patients, was an extraordinary breakthrough for our patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Now we will apply this same therapy to patients with curable disease, in the hope that we can save more lives.
KIM REISS BINDER, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Research Insight
The PARP Inhibitor study investigates whether patients can safely discontinue intravenous chemotherapy and, instead, keep their cancer in check with a pill.
Combination Approaches to Treat BRCA-Related Breast Cancer
Basser Center Executive Director Susan M. Domchek, MD, led a multicenter study evaluating the combination of the drugs olaparib and durvalumab in patients with germline (inherited) BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancer with advanced disease. The study results found that this combination shows promise. This research will be published in The Lancet Oncology 2020.
“Patients with responses showed durable benefit,” Dr. Domchek says of the breast cancer cohort, “and progression-free survival and overall survival compared well with standard-of-care therapy for these populations.” While additional analysis is needed to determine which types of patients would benefit most from these combination therapies, it offers the hope of new viable and less toxic treatment options for patients.
An additional study of individuals with advanced BRCA1/2 cancer of many types treated with avelumab (an immune therapy) and talazoparib (a PARP inhibitor) has just closed to accrual and final results are being eagerly awaited.
The hope is that by combining these two therapies we are able to prolong a patient’s response, helping them fight their disease longer.
SUSAN M. DOMCHEK, MD
Our Core Investigators
Angela Bradbury, MD
The REACH study (A Randomized Study of an eHealth Delivery Alternative for Cancer Genetic Testing for Hereditary Predisposition in Metastatic Breast and Ovarian Cancer Patients) evaluates the effectiveness of an eHealth delivery alternative to traditional genetic counseling in 400 patients with advanced breast and ovarian cancer.
“This alternative delivery model for genetic testing has the potential to provide equal or improved patient outcomes while reducing patient and genetic provider time, and increasing genetic testing in patients who can benefit.”
Ronny Drapkin, MD, PhD
Dr. Drapkin has created an animal model of ovarian cancer that replicates the origins of the disease, which he has hypothesized begin in the fallopian tubes. The model allows him to explore the genomic complexity of humans and to study tumor-host interactions.
“The models allow us to safely observe how the immune system reacts to ovarian cancer tumors and study whether the genetic make-up of the tumor influences those interactions.”
Roger Greenberg, MD, PhD
The goal of Dr. Greenberg’s research is to identify and target mechanisms of resistance to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) and Platinum-based chemotherapies in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutant cancers.
“We are working to unravel the mysteries of how DNA damage influences the immune system's response to cancer cells, and how PARP inhibitors themselves create immune responses. These kinds of insights can absolutely contribute to more personalized care.”
Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, DPhil
Dr. Vonderheide, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center, is working to test a novel vaccine that prevents BRCA1/2-related cancer when administered to healthy individuals who carry BRCA1/2 mutations, while also analyzing the immunobiology of mutant BRCA1/2-associated tumors in humans.
“Having completed the first-in-human clinical trial of our novel vaccine, we designed and wrote the protocol for a clinical trial to test this vaccine in healthy BRCA1/2 carriers. We have FDA approval for the protocol and are thrilled that the trial will open later this year, once issues of COVID-19 make it safe for us to do so.”
Katherine L. Nathanson, MD
Dr. Nathanson’s team is expanding on their prior finding that a subset of BRCA1/2-related cancers do not display loss of heterozygosity (the loss of the second “bad” copy). They are also evaluating the immune response in BRCA1/2-related breast and ovarian cancers.
“The goal of this work is to probe more deeply into immune system function in BRCA mutation carriers and in those with related cancers. These studies have the potential not only to shed more light on BRCA cancers, but on the function of the immune system in general.”
Meet the Inaugural Pearl Basser Professor in BRCA-Related Research
Katherine L. Nathanson, MD, graduated from Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine in 1993, and has had an illustrious career ever since. She is one of the world’s foremost experts in cancer genetics and genomics. Now, in addition to her roles as Deputy Director of Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and Director of Genetics at the Basser Center, Dr. Nathanson is the inaugural chair of the Pearl Basser Professorship in BRCA-Related Research. The professorship was established and endowed by Shari and Len Potter in honor of Shari and Mindy Gray’s mother, Pearl Basser, who died in 2017.
“We are thrilled to be able to honor my mother, Pearl, and help the Basser Center provide better options and hope to individuals and families with BRCA mutations,” says Shari Potter, pictured here with her husband Len and Dr. Nathanson. “Pearl would be proud knowing that someone of Dr. Nathanson’s exceptional caliber holds a professorship in her name.”
Funded Research
The Basser Center’s research arm includes multiple grants to researchers pursuing various BRCA1 and BRCA2 investigations. In 2019, 14 individual research projects received funding both at Penn Medicine, as well as at institutions in Boston, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Israel.
Internal Grants
Exploring the Curative Potential of CAR T Cells in Ovarian Cancer
Dan Powell, PhD, and his team launched a phase I clinical trial to study CAR T cell therapy that targets a protein expressed in 90% of all ovarian cancers. The results of this trial are encouraging and offer the promise of new clinical strategies for both BRCA-related ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer at large.
PARPi Resistance Mutation in BRCA1/2 Mutant Cancers
Ben Black, PhD, is exploring the mechanistic underpinnings of how mutations in the PARP-1 enzyme generate resistance to PARP inhibitors (PARPi), as has been observed in the clinic during the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer. He has published his initial observations made with Basser funding in the prestigious journal Science.
Developing New Treatment Options for BRCA-related Cancers
Working in collaboration with Roger Greenberg, MD, PhD, Junwei Shi, PhD, is using CRISPR-based genetic screening approaches to study the PARP enzyme and better understand its efficacy in BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancers.
Improving Surgical Prevention Options for Ovarian Cancer
Sarah Kim, MD, Ashley Haggerty, MD, MSCE, and Ronny Drapkin, MD, PhD, lead the Women Choosing Surgical Prevention (WISP) trial, which seeks to investigate whether removal of fallopian tubes alone can safely improve sexual function and menopausal symptoms compared to standard risk-reducing removal of both the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Combinations for Treatment of BRCA1/2 Germline Carriers
Fiona Simpkins, MD, and Eric Brown, PhD, are exploring preliminary findings that distinct combinations of PARPi, ATRi, and WEE1i differ in treatment effectiveness depending on BRCA status in high-grade serous ovarian cancers.
Precision Medicine Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Using the robust resources of the Penn Medicine Biobank, Kara Maxwell, PhD, is studying the contribution of BRCA1/2 mutations to localized high-grade prostate cancer.
PET Imaging to Direct Targeted Cancer Therapy
Mehran Makvandi, PharmD, and Austin Pantel, MD, are developing a shared resource for clinical studies of PET (positron emission tomography) imaging of PARP-1 (Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1) to direct targeted cancer therapy.
The YLC Young Investigator Award
The 2019 YLC Young Investigator Award went to Kim Reiss Binder, MD, for her work studying the development and testing of new treatments for pancreatic cancer and other GI malignancies.
The Pearl and Philip Basser Innovation Research Award
The 2019 Pearl and Philip Basser Innovation Research Award went to Mehran Makvandi, PharmD, RPh, BCNP, whose research continues to advance the understanding of BRCA with a particular contribution toward the influence of PARP-1 and associated therapy opportunities.
Understanding BRCA-Related Cancer Risk
Susan M. Domchek, MD, and Katherine L. Nathanson, MD, are working in partnership with the global Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA (CIMBA) to better understand the other factors that influence the development of BRCA-related cancers in order to provide individuals with a BRCA1/2 mutation more precise, personalized guidance on cancer prevention.
Exploring the Curative Potential of CAR T Cells in Ovarian Cancer
Dan Powell, PhD, and his team launched a phase I clinical trial to study CAR T cell therapy that targets a protein expressed in 90% of all ovarian cancers. The results of this trial are encouraging and offer the promise of new clinical strategies for both BRCA-related ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer at large.
PARPi Resistance Mutation in BRCA1/2 Mutant Cancers
Ben Black, PhD, is exploring the mechanistic underpinnings of how mutations in the PARP-1 enzyme generate resistance to PARP inhibitors (PARPi), as has been observed in the clinic during the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer. He has published his initial observations made with Basser funding in the prestigious journal Science.
Developing New Treatment Options for BRCA-related Cancers
Working in collaboration with Roger Greenberg, MD, PhD, Junwei Shi, PhD, is using CRISPR-based genetic screening approaches to study the PARP enzyme and better understand its efficacy in BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancers.
Improving Surgical Prevention Options for Ovarian Cancer
Sarah Kim, MD, Ashley Haggerty, MD, MSCE, and Ronny Drapkin, MD, PhD, lead the Women Choosing Surgical Prevention (WISP) trial, which seeks to investigate whether removal of fallopian tubes alone can safely improve sexual function and menopausal symptoms compared to standard risk-reducing removal of both the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Combinations for Treatment of BRCA1/2 Germline Carriers
Fiona Simpkins, MD, and Eric Brown, PhD, are exploring preliminary findings that distinct combinations of PARPi, ATRi, and WEE1i differ in treatment effectiveness depending on BRCA status in high-grade serous ovarian cancers.
Precision Medicine Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Using the robust resources of the Penn Medicine Biobank, Kara Maxwell, PhD, is studying the contribution of BRCA1/2 mutations to localized high-grade prostate cancer.
PET Imaging to Direct Targeted Cancer Therapy
Mehran Makvandi, PharmD, and Austin Pantel, MD, are developing a shared resource for clinical studies of PET (positron emission tomography) imaging of PARP-1 (Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1) to direct targeted cancer therapy.
The YLC Young Investigator Award
The 2019 YLC Young Investigator Award went to Kim Reiss Binder, MD, for her work studying the development and testing of new treatments for pancreatic cancer and other GI malignancies.
The Pearl and Philip Basser Innovation Research Award
The 2019 Pearl and Philip Basser Innovation Research Award went to Mehran Makvandi, PharmD, RPh, BCNP, whose research continues to advance the understanding of BRCA with a particular contribution toward the influence of PARP-1 and associated therapy opportunities.
Understanding BRCA-Related Cancer Risk
Susan M. Domchek, MD, and Katherine L. Nathanson, MD, are working in partnership with the global Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA (CIMBA) to better understand the other factors that influence the development of BRCA-related cancers in order to provide individuals with a BRCA1/2 mutation more precise, personalized guidance on cancer prevention.
SWIPE
Securing funding for high-risk, high-reward research is both today’s biggest opportunity and biggest challenge in the fight against BRCA-related cancer. Such support gives Basser the flexibility to explore novel research ideas and bring new treatments from bench to bedside as quickly as possible. We are grateful to Jay Lieberman and The Derfner Foundation, Christine and Jordan Kaplan, and the Paul Klingenstein Family Foundation for their unrestricted support of our work.
External Grants
FANCM and BRCA1 in Cancer Therapy
Principal Investigator Ralph Scully, PhD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School is expanding on a previous study on the use of the Escherichia coli Tus/Ter replication fork barrier and FANCM on the repair of stalled replication forks in mammalian cells.
Use of Genetic Counseling and Testing in Latina Women
Alejandra Hurtado de Mendoza Casaus, PhD, of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., is exploring how to increase awareness and use of genetic counseling and testing services among Latina women at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
Cancer Vulnerability in BRCA1/2 Mutant Cancers
Principal Investigator Kavitha Sarma, PhD, of The Wistar Institute is studying novel approaches for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in BRCA1/2 deficient cancers.
Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs) as Modifiers of BRCA1 Risk
Principal Investigator Eitan Friedman, MD, PhD, of Sheba Medical Center in Israel is focusing on Jewish women who carry a BRCA1 mutation.
FANCM and BRCA1 in Cancer Therapy
Principal Investigator Ralph Scully, PhD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School is expanding on a previous study on the use of the Escherichia coli Tus/Ter replication fork barrier and FANCM on the repair of stalled replication forks in mammalian cells.
Use of Genetic Counseling and Testing in Latina Women
Alejandra Hurtado de Mendoza Casaus, PhD, of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., is exploring how to increase awareness and use of genetic counseling and testing services among Latina women at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
Cancer Vulnerability in BRCA1/2 Mutant Cancers
Principal Investigator Kavitha Sarma, PhD, of The Wistar Institute is studying novel approaches for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in BRCA1/2 deficient cancers.
Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs) as Modifiers of BRCA1 Risk
Principal Investigator Eitan Friedman, MD, PhD, of Sheba Medical Center in Israel is focusing on Jewish women who carry a BRCA1 mutation.
SWIPE
2019 Highlights
Global Prize Winners
Each year, the Basser Global Prize recognizes a pioneering scientist who has advanced BRCA1/2-related research. In 2019, Douglas Easton, PhD, and Antonis Antoniou, PhD, Professors in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge, and members of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, became the recipients of the seventh annual Basser Global Prize.
Past Recipients of the Global Prize include:2018: Maria Jasin, PhD
2017: Ashok Venkitaraman, MBBS, PhD
2016: Steven Narod, MD, FRCPC, PhD (hon), FRSC
2015: David Livingston, MD
2014: Mary-Claire King, PhD
2013: Alan Ashworth, PhD, FRS
We are deeply honored to be selected for this award by the Basser Center. Basser is known and respected around the world for its efforts to make a difference for patients with inherited BRCA1/2 mutations.
Douglas Easton, PHD
The Basser Global Prize will be critical in supporting our research on the prevention and early detection of cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.
Antonis Antoniou, PhD
Patient Care
Numerous, ongoing studies are helping to improve access to genetic counseling and testing, and increase awareness of BRCA mutation risk.
BFOR Study
The BRCA Founder Outreach (BFOR) Study, a collaboration between Basser and four other institutions around the country, developed a new model to make genetic testing more accessible. This pilot study used an online platform to offer free genetic testing to over 4,000 people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with the goal of ultimately developing a larger international study.
Genetic Counselors
Our team of six genetic counselors offers top-tier genetic counseling and testing services both on-site at the Basser Center and through telemedicine. Thanks to philanthropic support from Tamsen and Michael Brown, a research coordinator is now on staff to help facilitate a research project evaluating methods of sharing genetic test results with family members.
Point of Care Study
We are evaluating an alternative delivery model for genetic testing to all patients with pancreatic cancer and men with metastatic prostate cancer. By integrating genetic testing into the standard of care, we can meet the increasing demands of the genetics community and provide results needed for time-sensitive medical management decisions.
Genetics Clinical Research Unit
This fully staffed unit enables investigators to open clinical trials on BRCA and related mutations that affect a variety of cancer types, significantly enhancing and streamlining our clinical trials. Initially funded by private philanthropy, this model is being adopted by other disease areas across the Abramson Cancer Center.
Our Patients
Shannon Pulaski
An attorney, author, wife, and mother of three with a family history of cancer, Shannon is also an advocate for patients through her work with Basser’s Young Leadership Council (YLC).
Shannon Pulaski is 36 years old and a BRCA mutation carrier, which means she has up to a 75% chance of developing breast cancer and up to a 50% chance of developing ovarian cancer in her lifetime. Shannon’s mother and aunt were both diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their 50s, making her risk all the more real.
“The most challenging part about having a BRCA mutation for me is — hands down — worrying about my children,” Shannon says. “Even with all the steps I can take to be proactive, there still is so much uncertainty and concern that the mutation will be passed on.”
Shannon is an active member of the YLC and is focused on supporting and accelerating BRCA-related research.
“I was particularly drawn to the YLC because of its focus on funding research that is meaningful to the BRCA community,” she says. Shannon is also dedicated to increasing awareness of BRCA, noting, “Having knowledge allows you to have options. Having options allows you to take control of your health, be proactive, and feel empowered.”
I desperately hope that there are better options in the future so our children do not have to be faced with the difficult decisions and challenges a BRCA mutation bring.
News & Events
NewsSWIPE
EventsSWIPE
WebinarsSWIPE
Future
Where We're Going
Future
Let’s stop the march of these insidious mutations from one generation to the next and make this the last generation of BRCA cancers in all of our families.
Mindy Gray
Co-founder, Basser Center
At the Basser Center, we are taking a comprehensive approach to a complex problem, tackling the challenge of BRCA from all sides. The last 25 years have seen remarkable progress in the field of hereditary cancer from prevention to detection, to better understanding to better treatments. Because of this immense amount of progress, we are incredibly hopeful about the next 25 years.
A Comprehensive Approach to a Complex Problem
The Basser Center’s holistic line of attack on BRCA mutations is a multipronged and multifaceted effort ranging from prevention and screening to raising awareness and counseling.
Prevention
- Fallopian Tube Removal
- PARP Inhibitors
- Vaccine Clinical Trial
SCREENING &
EARLY DETECTION
- Blood Test for Pancreatic Cancer
- Pap Smear of the Fallopian Tube
- Penn Med Biobank Study for Prostate Cancer
Awareness & Education
- Webinars
- Scientific Symposium
- Ashkenazi Jewish Outreach
- Black & BRCA
- LATINX & BRCA
COUNSELING
& TESTING
- Cascade Testing
- Point of Care
- BFOR Study
- Telegenetics
TREATMENT & SURVIVORSHIP
- Combination Therapies
- PARP Inhibitors & Resistance
- PDX Models
- PET Imaging/PARP
- Immune System
- CAR T-cell
- Impact of Risk-Reducing Surgeries
Goals Within Reach
New Vaccine
A preventative vaccine clinical trial to test immune response and safety in healthy individuals who have a BRCA mutation has been approved by the FDA. The trial is slated to open in 2020.
Increasing Access
The Basser Center is evaluating new models of providing genetic counseling to patients. Expanding on the Penn Telegenetics Program, Basser is using a variety of digital health platforms and EMR-based approaches to improve identification of individuals at risk.
New Studies of BRCA1/2 Directed Therapies
Payal Shah, MD, and Vivek Narayan, MD, MS, are working on the efficacy of PARP inhibitors in patients with BRCA-related breast and prostate cancers, respectively. Dr. Shah is examining olaparib in combination with other drugs, specifically fulvestrant and palbociclib. Dr. Narayan is examining the optimal sequencing of hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors in prostate cancer.
Physician Education
An emerging priority is to offer education on genetic testing to primary care physicians, many of whom are uncertain of when to recommend testing, and for which patients. Basser is creating platforms to provide physicians and other healthcare providers with the most up-to-date information about risk management, screening, prevention, and treatment for patients with a BRCA mutation.
Increasing Awareness in Targeted Communities
LATINX & BRCA
LATINX & BRCA
Basser is replacing fear with hope, and I couldn’t be prouder and more honored to be a part of it.
Nina Garcia
2019 Basser Jean Bash Honoree
LATINX & BRCA is a comprehensive initiative to raise awareness, provide education and resources in Spanish, and build a support system for the Latinx community affected by BRCA mutations and related cancers. This new program was founded in partnership with women’s health advocate Alejandra Campoverdi.
BLACK & BRCA
BLACK & BRCA
I was able to substantially lower my chance of having to battle cancer because I was aware of my BRCA mutation. More Black families should be empowered with the same information.
Erika Stallings
YLC Co-Chair
Black women are substantially less likely to undergo genetic counseling and testing for BRCA mutations compared to white women, even though research suggests that the rate of BRCA mutations may be higher among Black women than it is for white. To help address these disparities, we have partnered with Erika Stallings, the co-chair of the YLC on the Black & BRCA initiative, to provide educational resources, assistance in finding a genetic counselor, and to offer a network of support for the African-American community.
A Multigenerational Solution to a Multigenerational Problem
A Multigenerational Solution to a Multigenerational Problem
The Parents Leadership Community (PLC) seeks to address the unique challenges faced by families with a BRCA mutation. The group, led by co-chairs Shari Potter, Susan Getz, and Raquel Haas, will be a supportive forum for parents while also providing resources to stay informed on the last advances in BRCA research.
The Young Leadership Council’s (YLC) more than 100 members from around the world stay informed about the latest research advances and raise support individually and through events to propel research, patient care, and educational initiatives.
LATINX & BRCA
LATINX & BRCA
Basser is replacing fear with hope, and I couldn’t be prouder and more honored to be a part of it.
Nina Garcia
2019 Basser Jean Bash Honoree
LATINX & BRCA is a comprehensive initiative to raise awareness, provide education and resources in Spanish, and build a support system for the Latinx community affected by BRCA mutations and related cancers. This new program was founded in partnership with women’s health advocate Alejandra Campoverdi.
BLACK & BRCA
BLACK & BRCA
I was able to substantially lower my chance of having to battle cancer because I was aware of my BRCA mutation. More Black families should be empowered with the same information.
Erika Stallings
YLC Co-Chair
Black women are substantially less likely to undergo genetic counseling and testing for BRCA mutations compared to white women, even though research suggests that the rate of BRCA mutations may be higher among Black women than it is for white. To help address these disparities, we have partnered with Erika Stallings, the co-chair of the YLC on the Black & BRCA initiative, to provide educational resources, assistance in finding a genetic counselor, and to offer a network of support for the African-American community.
A Multigenerational Solution to a Multigenerational Problem
A Multigenerational Solution to a Multigenerational Problem
The Parents Leadership Community (PLC) seeks to address the unique challenges faced by families with a BRCA mutation. The group, led by co-chairs Shari Potter, Susan Getz, and Raquel Haas, will be a supportive forum for parents while also providing resources to stay informed on the last advances in BRCA research.
The Young Leadership Council’s (YLC) more than 100 members from around the world stay informed about the latest research advances and raise support individually and through events to propel research, patient care, and educational initiatives.
SWIPE
Our Leadership
Jon & Mindy Gray
Founders, Basser Center
The mission of the Basser Center is simple: Create a central hub to tackle all things BRCA related, focus intensely on this multi-generational challenge, assemble a world class team, and provide the resources they need to make a difference.
Jon Gray
Co-founder, Basser Center
Leadership Team
Susan M. Domchek, MD
Executive Director
Ronny Drapkin, MD, PhD
Director of Gynecologic Cancer Research
Roger Greenberg, MD, PhD
Director of Basic Science
Katherine Nathanson, MD
Director of Genetics
Beth Stearman, MPH
Administrative Director
Leadership Council
The Basser Leadership Council advocates, informs, and engages on behalf of the Basser Center. The Council enhances and supports the Center’s mission and provides hope to patients and families by securing the resources needed to accelerate BRCA-related research, care, and education.
Chair
- Mindy Gray
Members
- Tamsen Brown
- Mara Burros-Sandler
- Joe Campolo
- Cindy Price Gavin
- Susan Getz
- Michael J. Haas
- Lisa Jacobs
- Michele Konner
- Paul Lattanzio
- Trace McCreary
- Shari Potter
- Jessica Queller
- Heidi Rieger
- Stacey Sager
- Helene Silverman Sorin
- Jill Steinberg
- Dana Zucker
- Anonymous members
Young Leadership Council
The Young Leadership Council’s (YLC) more than 100 members from around the world stay informed about the latest research advances and raise support individually and through events to propel research, patient care, and educational initiatives. Learn more at Basser.org/YLC.
- Erika Stallings
- Suzanne Zuppello
Co-Chairs
- Sarah Abehlson
- Louis Abrams
- Robyn Alexander
- Kelly Baldwin Heid
- Callum Beale
- Jodi Berger
- Jonathan Berger
- Maureen Boesen
- Perri Brendzel
- Kathryn Buckley
- Jamie Burak
- Andrea Calabrese
- Mia Campolo
- Kristen Carbone
- Lindsey Chasteen
- Leandra Medine Cohen
- Chelsea Cohen
- Jourdan Cohen
- Sarah Clare Cook
- Becca Cossin
- Ashley Dedmon
- Katherine DiLullo
- Lisa Donnelly
- Elizabeth Drake
- Sara Edelman Lustgarten
- Peri Edelstein
- Dorie Eisenstein
- Samantha Elgort
- Cydney Engle
- Galia Farber
- Alexandra L. Fleischman
- Denise H. Frederickson
- Amy Gallagher
- Pooja Ganesan
- Nicole Garcia
- Martae Giometti
- Emily Goldberg
- Lindsay Goldblatt
- Jacki Goodman
- Emily Guskin
- Cherie Hankin Calingasan
- Suri Helwani
- Raven Ashley Holzer
- Lindsay Jacobson
- Shaina Kalin
- Michele Kaplan
- Angie Karamchandani
- Kelly Kashmer
- Ilana Katz Sand
- Stacey Klimchuk
- Carlette Knox
- Jodi Leigh Kreizer
- Sarah Kremer
- Alison Kucharski
- Kevin Kucharski
- Katherine Mara Lattanzio
- Eliberty Lopez
- Jamie Ludwig
- Stephanie Marton
- Sonal Mayekar
- Carolyn McAnlis
- Lauren McCabe
- Margaret M. Mcconville
- Ashley Meskill
- Alona G. Metz
- Chelsi Meyerson
- Heather Milburn
- Darcy Moore
- Chloe Morawski
- Jenn Murphy
- Frannie Neal
- Dani Nodelman
- Maura Noone
- Kaitlin Nordby
- Calle Norman
- Marti Norman
- Laura Perilstein
- Caroline Plank
- Lauren Pleener
- Rachel L. Presser
- Lauren Profis
- Shannon Pulaski
- Jessica Radetsky
- Jennifer Reilly
- Laura Jean Reinke
- Hillary Rieger
- Caroline Rodman
- Jennifer Rosenberg
- Sarah E. Roth
- Paulina Rugart
- Chié Dambara Sánchez
- Michael E. Sand
- Kelly Scheib
- Erin Schonbraun
- Jaye Seidlin
- Sarah Selkirk
- Jackie Silver
- Sage Silverstein
- Sara Simon
- Natalie Skaf
- Jenny Sorin
- Bridget Stillwell
- Gabby Stoller
- Ashley Talamo
- Rebecca Uber
- Jamie Vento
- Joanna Warden
- Katrina A. Wells
- Jenny E Wikoff
- Vanessa Woodman Fuss
- Michelle Yanche
Members
SWIPE
- Erika Stallings
- Suzanne Zuppello
- Sarah Abehlson
- Louis Abrams
- Robyn Alexander
- Kelly Baldwin Heid
- Callum Beale
- Jodi Berger
- Jonathan Berger
- Maureen Boesen
- Perri Brendzel
- Kathryn Buckley
- Jamie Burak
- Andrea Calabrese
- Mia Campolo
- Kristen Carbone
- Lindsey Chasteen
- Leandra Medine Cohen
- Chelsea Cohen
- Jourdan Cohen
- Sarah Clare Cook
- Becca Cossin
- Ashley Dedmon
- Katherine DiLullo
- Lisa Donnelly
- Elizabeth Drake
- Sara Edelman Lustgarten
- Peri Edelstein
- Dorie Eisenstein
- Samantha Elgort
- Cydney Engle
- Galia Farber
- Alexandra L. Fleischman
- Denise H. Frederickson
- Amy Gallagher
- Pooja Ganesan
- Nicole Garcia
- Martae Giometti
- Emily Goldberg
- Lindsay Goldblatt
- Jacki Goodman
- Emily Guskin
- Cherie Hankin Calingasan
- Suri Helwani
- Raven Ashley Holzer
- Lindsay Jacobson
- Shaina Kalin
- Michele Kaplan
- Angie Karamchandani
- Kelly Kashmer
- Ilana Katz Sand
- Stacey Klimchuk
- Carlette Knox
- Jodi Leigh Kreizer
- Sarah Kremer
- Alison Kucharski
- Kevin Kucharski
- Katherine Mara Lattanzio
- Eliberty Lopez
- Jamie Ludwig
- Stephanie Marton
- Sonal Mayekar
- Carolyn McAnlis
- Lauren McCabe
- Margaret M. Mcconville
- Ashley Meskill
- Alona G. Metz
- Chelsi Meyerson
- Heather Milburn
- Darcy Moore
- Chloe Morawski
- Jenn Murphy
- Frannie Neal
- Dani Nodelman
- Maura Noone
- Kaitlin Nordby
- Calle Norman
- Marti Norman
- Laura Perilstein
- Caroline Plank
- Lauren Pleener
- Rachel L. Presser
- Lauren Profis
- Shannon Pulaski
- Jessica Radetsky
- Jennifer Reilly
- Laura Jean Reinke
- Hillary Rieger
- Caroline Rodman
- Jennifer Rosenberg
- Sarah E. Roth
- Paulina Rugart
- Chié Dambara Sánchez
- Michael E. Sand
- Kelly Scheib
- Erin Schonbraun
- Jaye Seidlin
- Sarah Selkirk
- Jackie Silver
- Sage Silverstein
- Sara Simon
- Natalie Skaf
- Jenny Sorin
- Bridget Stillwell
- Gabby Stoller
- Ashley Talamo
- Rebecca Uber
- Jamie Vento
- Joanna Warden
- Katrina A. Wells
- Jenny E Wikoff
- Vanessa Woodman Fuss
- Michelle Yanche
Co-Chairs
Members
Donors
Your support at any level benefits individuals and families affected by a BRCA mutation, pioneering research at Basser and around the globe, and enhances lifesaving outreach and educational programs.
*Gifts listed below are from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, and reflect cumulative giving during that time period.
$250,000 and above
- Angela & Joe Campolo
- Mindy & Jon Gray
- Michele & Kevah Konner
- Jay Lieberman & The Derfner Foundation
- Shari & Len Potter
$100,000 – $249,000
- The Blackstone Charitable Foundation
- Debra & Ken Caplan
- Melissa & John Ceriale
- Angela Chao & Jim Breyer
- Julie & Frank Cohen
- Eastdil Secured
- Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund
- Josefin & Paul Hilal
- Barbara & Roy March
- Susu & George Johnson
- JLL
- Christine & Jordan Kaplan
- Lori & Michael Nash
- Darcy & Andrew Nussbaum
- Pershing Square Capital Management
- Shorenstein Properties
- Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
- Sharon & Bill Stein
- Jill & Jon Steinberg
- Tishman Speyer
- Ventas, Inc.
$50,000 – $99,999
- Abbie & Joe Baratta
- Tamsen & Michael Brown
- Wendy & Douglas Eisenberg
- Katherine Farley & Jerry Speyer
- Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
- Cindy & Brian Gavin
- Goldman Sachs & Co.
- Carl H. Goldsmith
- Nick Gould
- Karen Herskovitz
- Hilton
- Jeffrey Horowitz
- Jones Day
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP
- Kimberly & Sean Klimczak
- Paul Klingenstein Family Foundation
- KSL Capital Partners
- Latham & Watkins LLP
- Liz & Eric Lefkofsky
- Nancy & Howard Marks
- Trace McCreary
- Nadeem Meghji
- Morgan Stanley
- PJT Partners
- Abigail Pogrebin & David Shapiro
- Sara & Eric Resnick
- Cari & Michael J. Sacks
- Kathy & John Schreiber
- Christine & Stephen Schwarzman
- Susan & Steve Silk
- Jacqueline & David Simon
- Helene & Robert Sorin
- Sabina & Harlan Stone
- Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen, & Katz
- Lydia & George Weiss
- Kristin & Jeff Worthe
$25,000 – $49,999
- Accent Charitable Fund
- Barclays
- Lee Berg
- Laura & Lloyd Blankfein
- Allison & David Blitzer
- Yasmin Bokhary & Chris Heady
- Carol & Jay Borzi
- Brookfield
- Bulgin & Associates Inc.
- Mara Burros-Sandler
- Sean Burton / Cityview
- CBRE
- Alexa & Michael Chae
- Citigroup
- Caryn & Rodney Cohen
- Victor Coleman / Hudson Pacific Properties
- Maree & Giovanni Cutaia
- Deloitte
- Deutsche Bank
- Elliott Management Corp.
- EY
- Carol & John Finley
- Debbie & Keith Gelb
- Susan & David Getz
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
- Meg & Bennett Goodman
- Greenberg Traurig, LLP
- Vicki Gross & Jonathan Levine
- Violet & Michael Gross
- Kristen & Rob Harper
- Holewinski Family Foundation, Inc. and Dennis Holewinski
- Riva Horwitz & Joshua Easterly
- Andrew Katz
- Sheryl & Chip Kaye
- Mahmood Khimji
- Robin & Brad Klatt
- Debra & Mark Klein
- Karen & John Kukral
- Kushner Companies Charitable Foundation
- Annette & Theodore Lerner
- Jeannie & Barry Lewin
- Magnolia Tree Foundation
- Suna & Scott Maslin
- Shannon & William McBeath
- Melanie & Matthew McLennan
- Catherine & John McNear
- Jon Mehlman & Family
- Stacey & Eric Mindich
- Neal J. Miranda / Chicago Title Insurance Company
- Christine & Alan Miyasaki
- Michelle & Anthony Myers
- Newlight Partners
- Newmark Knight Frank
- Jane & Daniel Och
- Pembroke Companies, Inc.
- Verdun Perry
- Stacy & Jonathan Pollack
- Katherine Pringle & John McCormick
- Gregory Purcell
- Raider Hill Advisors
- May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation Inc.
- RXR Realty
- Julian Salisbury
- Dr. Ilana Katz-Sand & Michael Sand
- Laurie & Thomas Saylak
- Sheri & Howard Schultz
- Joan Solotar
- Ruth & Arne Sorenson
- Jeff Sutton / Wharton Properties
- Joe Tuana
- UBS Financial Services Inc.
- Claire & D. Michael Van Konynenburg
- Venable LLP
- David R. Weinreb
- Liz & Ken Whitney
- Dana Zucker & Brahm Cramer
$10,000 – $24,999
- Roswitha & A.J. Agarwal
- Samir Amichi
- Shari & Jeff Aronson
- Kathleen & Matthew Baldwin
- Lily & Douglas Band
- Michael Bebon
- Boston Properties
- CIBC World Markets
- Marjorie B. Cohen Foundation
- Stanley Dee
- Cheryl & Blair Effron
- Allison & Brian Feltzin
- Andrea Flink
- Raquel & Michael Haas
- Jane Hartley & Ralph Schlosstein
- Courtney & Tyler Henritze
- Tim Johnson
- Jonathan Korngold
- Alexandra Korry & Robin Panovka
- Clarissa & Steven Lefkowitz
- Wesley & Evan LePatner
- MACK Real Estate Credit Strategies
- Alexis Mintz & Michael Torkin
- Mary & Garrett Moran
- Gavin & Michael Mullen
- The Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation
- Tricia & Jason Pantzer
- Ilene & Art Penn
- Lisa & Stephen Plavin
- Nancy & Fred Poses
- Margo & Gregory Ressa
- Carolyn & Marc Rowan
- Jane & Russel Stern
- Jill & Evan Seigerman
- Jane & Thomas Shandell
- Deborah Shedlin
- Klara & Larry A. Silverstein
- Mona & Ravi Sinha
- Farrel & Steven Starker
- Jennifer & George Stone
- Elizabeth Strickler & Mark Gallogly
- Gary Sumers
- Katja & Nicolai Tangen
- Peggy Tsiang & Andrew Cherng
- Caroline & Jacob Werner
$5,000 – $9,999
- Jen Allen & Jon Soros
- Jeffrey Altman
- Christine Anderson
- Renee & Richard Barasch
- Cori & Seth Berger
- Kate Downey Berges
- Wendy & Howard Berk
- Ron Bernstein
- Leslie Bluhm & David Helfand
- Christopher Boyatt
- Jerry Bruckheimer
- PREformances with Allison Charney
- Dr. Ching-Lynn Chen
- Marci & Jeremy Cohen
- Ellen & Gary Davis
- Shari & Barry Dinaburg, Esquire
- Drs. Susan Domchek & Robert Vonderheide
- Frederick Downey
- Nora & Charles Effron
- Meaghan & Con Egan
- Robin & Jonathan Eiseman
- Polina & Yan Erlikh
- Shiva & Tarek Farouki
- Steven Feldman
- Steven Florsheim
- Gary Fuhrman
- Nicholas Galakatos
- Carrie & Laurence Goldberg
- Chris Graham
- Sara & Matt Grunwell
- Marni & Stuart Hersch
- Todd Hirsh
- Dana & Michael Hokin
- Amy & John Jacobsson
- Maria Joan & Lawrence M. Baum
- Michael Judlowe
- Deborah & James Kern
- Elena & Tory Kiam
- Jacqueline Klinger
- Dr. Caryn Kraff & Lowell Kraff
- Hilary & Andrew Landis
- Stacey & Curtis Lane
- Nancy & Michael Lascher
- D. Andrew Lax
- Amy & Scott Leist
- Sam Levine
- Felicia & Sander Levy
- Steven Lichtenfeld / Proskauer Rose LLP
- Stephanie Mack & Mitchell Katz
- Christina & Qahir Madhany
- Elaine & Aaron Marks
- Amy & Jonathan Meltzer
- Serena & John Moon
- Brett Munger
- Brooke Owen-Thomas
- Tuhin Parikh
- Erica & Kevin Penn
- Jane Pollock & Philip Berney
- Carole & Stuart Potter
- Helaine & Michael Pruzan
- Cassie & William D. Rahm
- Carolyn & Jeffrey Reisman, MD
- Heidi & Richard Rieger
- Gillian & Peter Rittmaster
- Kristina Robinson
- Marjorie & Jeffrey Rosen
- Laura & David Ross
- Daryl & Steven Roth
- Meg & David Roth
- Beth & David Rothenberg
- Dr. Alice Furman & Hugh Rovit
- Sawhney Family
- Nancy & Theodore Schwartz
- Gregg Seibert
- James Seppala
- Reshma & Mit Shah
- Emily Sharko & Kenneth Stern
- Richard Siewert
- Amy & Jeffrey Silverman
- Julie & P.J. Solit
- Jocelyn & Scott Sontag
- Melissa & Bruce Spohler
- Suzi & Brian Stadler
- Antoinette Delruelle & Joshua L. Steiner
- Ilene & Ken Stern
- Strategic Distribution, L.P.
- Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch
- Marc Turkel
- Elizabeth & Paul Uhlmann
- Jane Veron & Andrew Feldstein
- Cecilia & Mark Vonderheide
- Carolyn & David Wasserman
- Mina & Gregg Wattenberg
- Debi & Steven Wisch
- Lynne & Michael Wolitzer
- Karen & Tyler Zachem
- Beth Zadek & Joph Steckel
$2,500 – $4,999
- Lisa Anastos, Esquire
- Ayco
- Cristina & Stephen Basser
- Linda & Mitch Berger
- Kathe & Bryce Blair
- Jody & Alan Brody
- Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
- Ellen & Peter Cohen
- Joanne Diamond Brecker
- Epic Charitable Fund
- Lori & William Falstich
- Kelly & Scott Fink
- Susan & Jim Florsheim
- Trisha & Andy Florsheim
- Andrew Frankle
- Robert Gibson
- Catherine & Kieran Goodwin
- Karen Gordon
- Caroline & Josh Gray
- Harvey Heffner
- Natalie Herald
- Aimee & Brian Jalazo
- Michele & J. Larry Jameson
- Bonnie & David Kaplan
- Lisa & David Klein
- Roxana & Gary Kline
- Meredith Kosann
- Hillary LaChance
- Lynn & Paul Lattanzio
- David Levine
- Margot & Ed Levy
- Andrea London
- Susan & Craig Lubin
- Drs. Lyn & Louis Matis
- Jodie McLean
- Krista Miniutti
- Leora Mogilner & Richard Linhart
- Lori & David Moore
- Andrea Moser & Peter Halperin
- Nicole & Michael Moser
- Barrie & John Overend
- Stacey Sager & Andrew Platt
- Jonathan Potter
- Paul Quinlan
- Randy Reiff
- Jillian Rosen
- Abby & David Salzman
- Stacey & Jonathan Satovsky
- Schaffer, Schonholz & Drossman, LLP
- Tami Schneider
- Zachary Schreiber
- Michele Siberberg
- Phyllis & Irving Smith Foundation, Inc.
- Dr. Marjorie Stanek
- Sarah & David Stoker
- Valerie & James Stone
- TILT
- Michelle Toll & William O'Flanagan
- Richard Trobman
- Kelsea Turner
- Omar Vaishnavi
- Marla Wasserman
- Ira Weidhorn
- Paul Whyte
$1,000 – $2,499
- Michelle Adams
- Alliance Bernstein LP
- Bank of America Corporation
- Brett Barragate
- Ben Beckman
- Amy Berk & Steven Erlbaum
- Jorge Bonetti
- Cynthia Brown
- Ellen & Michael Brown
- Angela & Jacob Buchdahl
- August Calderone
- Lara Cassidy
- Scott Cohen & Anthony Vecchione
- Wendy & Paul Delaney
- Leslie & Mitchell Dorf
- Janelle Dougherty
- Joseph Dowling
- Edward Dubilo
- Lowell H. Dubrow, Esquire
- Jeffrey Dybas
- Diane Edelman
- Peri Edelstein
- Jacqueline Elias
- Jennifer Feinberg
- Debra Fine & Martin Schneider
- Mary & James Flaherty
- Susanne Frankel & Bruce Landau
- Pamela Friedman
- Joyce Frost
- Dr. Kimberly Gatof
- General Electric Company
- Kerry & Daniel Golden
- Susan & Jeffrey Goldenberg
- Stephanie & John Golfinos
- Deborah & David Gordon
- Victoria & David Carl Gottlieb
- Chinita & Michael Hard
- Margaret Hardy
- Jennifer Highman
- Jeremy Hockenstein
- Dr. Ram Jagannath
- Michele & Jason Kaplan
- Samuel Kardon
- Loryn Kass
- Dan Katsikas
- Katharine Keenan
- Hulda & Imad Khalidi
- Allison Koffman & Jeffrey Lipsitz
- Rodney Kolb
- Guy Langford
- Katherine Lattanzio
- Martha Lemp
- Adam Leslie
- Niki & David Levy
- Allison & Gary Lieberman
- Jessica Linden & Michael Zawadzki
- Fabio Lindia
- Jamie & Matthew Ludwig
- Sara & Ephram Lustgarten
- Susan & Stephen Mandel
- Jay Mandelbaum
- Lanie & Christopher Marcus
- Joy & Peter Martosella
- Jonathan May
- Erika & Timothy McFadden
- Bernard H. Mehlman
- Daniela Mercuri
- Eileen & Michael Meyers
- Natalia Mikhaylova
- Jameson Mones
- Moscow Philanthropic Fund
- Dani & Mark Nodelman
- Laura & Stuart Perilstein
- Raleigh Peters
- Kelly & Ralph Pickett
- Lauren Pleener & Jonathan Berger
- Jeremy Pomeroy
- Debora & Sheldon Presser
- Adam Rose
- Susan and Elihu Rose Foundation, Inc.
- Rosencrans Family Foundation
- Stuart Ruderfer
- Michelle Russo
- Caryn Schacht & David Fox
- John Schenck
- Sharon Schreiber
- Susan Schwartz
- Katherine & Dhiren Shah
- Norma & Ernie Siegler Family Foundation
- Charles Simonian
- Jack Simunek
- Sisters Against Cancer 5K
- Susan Drossman Sokoloff & Adam Sokoloff
- Vern Spurlock
- Cynthia Stevens
- Surf City Steel Inc.
- Taggarty Patrick
- Mr. & Mrs. David Thayer
- Stephen Van Dusen
- Michael Vines
- Elyse & David Walker
- Tim Wang
- Martin Wasmer
- Rebecca & Aaron Weitman
- Robert Wiesenthal
- Anna Winderbaum
- Vanessa Woodman Fuss
- Gary Wuslich
- Eileen Youtie
- Dennis Zaslavsky
- Jennel Zeppieri, MD & Charles Korn
- Nancy & Bruce Zimmerman
- Lauren Zucker & David Shorrock
- Patricia & Stephen Zuppello
$500 – $999
- Louis Abrams
- Akerman LLP
- Christian J. Anthony
- Drs. Rebecca Baxt & Jonathan Baruch Shammash
- Carolyn Belfer
- Charles Bodo
- Stephen Bonaccorsi
- Joseph Brennan
- James Carroll
- Michelle Carteron-Kelban
- Lisa Cavanaugh
- George Churchill
- Becca Cossin
- Deborah Crawford
- Reuben Daniels
- Jacob Deutsch
- Bonnie Eisenfeld
- Dorie Eisenstein
- Daniel Fine
- Josh Freedman
- Dawn Friedkin
- Nina García & David Conrod
- Talya & Samuel Giordano
- Lauren Girshon
- Jennifer Glucksman
- Laura Granelli
- Elizabeth & James Hale
- Rick Hong
- Donna Hunter
- Marc Jaffe
- Nigel Key
- Charlene & Ron Kurylo
- Deborah Lawrence
- Tracy Leitman
- Diana Magaard
- Robert Mark
- Cynthia & Scott Matte
- Brooke Morrow
- Leslie Simon Myers
- Wendy Forman Myers
- Laurie & John Oberbeck
- Melody Padilla-Nguyen
- Susan & James Ratner
- Margaret Rierson
- Leslie Rose & Alan Ramo
- Michael Roth
- Rothkopf Family Fund
- Julie Rottenberg & Ben Rubin
- Beth Rustin & Lee Stettner
- Peter Rzepka
- Gabriella & Saul Safdieh
- Sloane Schuster
- Jaye Seidlin
- Clayton Shiu
- Tiffany Smith
- Erika Stallings
- Conrad Strabone
- Alexandra Sweeney
- David Symons
- James Woerner
- Deborah Yashar
- Suzanne Zuppello
$499 and below
- Allyson Abrams
- American Express Company
- Elizabeth Anderson
- Erin Ardleigh
- Conzie Aris
- Susan & Heith Armstrong
- Melissa Ashley
- Megan Avalos
- Drew Baird
- Haley Baker
- Jill Baker
- Rebecca Ballinger
- Kelsey Banos
- Joshua Basser Potter
- Philip B. Basser
- Stephen Bassett
- Martin Belsky
- Erica Ben Zvi
- Brenda Benaim
- Madeline Benjamin
- Scott Berger
- Kiara Berglund
- Jeffrey Bernard
- Kimberly Berthiaume
- Kathryn Bewley
- Christopher Binns
- Erica Blann
- Joshua Blatt
- Tommy Blossom
- Jenee Bobbora
- Alexandra Bocci
- Erica Bodansky
- Jackson Boland
- Susie Borovsky
- Pauline & Cory Boyce
- Anne Branigin
- Sarah Brenner & Chad Barrs
- Anthony Broccolo
- Shari Broder
- Dylan Bronson
- Elyena Brotherton
- Carolyn Brown
- Mary Browning
- Karin Brownstein
- Kendra Buckmaster
- Laura Burwick
- Jodi Butwin Seiler
- Margaret Cadden
- Andrea Calabrese
- Cherie Calingasan
- Chris Campagnola
- Ilene & Andrew Cantos
- Mark Channon
- Mahim Chellappa
- Ho Chin
- Adriana & Michael Clancy
- Josh Cleveland
- Christine Cofer
- Andrew Cohen
- Dana Cohen
- Jourdan Cohen
- Marni & William Cohen
- Ronald Cohen
- Susan Cohen
- Genevieve Comar
- Elise & Alan Cotler
- Katie Danziger
- Abigail Daroff
- Audrey & Gregory David
- Anderson Davis
- Lisa Davis
- Jodi Della Femina
- Dorothy Irwin DeStefano
- Julie Deutsch
- Michael Diamant
- Michelle S. Diener
- D. Dolores Disante
- Angela DiTaddeo
- Jenn Dolin Olsen
- Mitchell Domershick
- Loren Donino
- Liam Donnelly
- Megan Donovan
- Seth Drucker
- Chris Duffy
- Jacqi Duffy
- Jeff Duffy
- Sandii Duffy
- Theresa Dugan
- Archer Edgar
- Conway Ekpo
- Matthew Engel
- Stacey Feintuch
- Sandy Felsen
- Alison Fenton-Willock
- Mark Fernandez
- Annette Ferstenberg
- Jenna Fidellow
- Gina & Andrew Finkelstein
- Samantha & Seth Fliegler
- Brian Forsse
- Lorraine & Howard Freeman
- Laura Freimauer
- Danielle Friedman
- Jeffrey Friedman
- Marci Friedman
- Jessica Gaffney
- Rebecca Gamzon
- Emily Gantman
- Milana Garber
- Valerie Garten
- Linda Gates
- Robert Georgio
- Martae Giometti
- Richard Gladstone
- Andrea Glickman
- Katerina & Jason Gmitter
- Laurie Goetz
- Fredda Goldberg
- Laura Goldberg
- Michael Goldberg
- Michael E. Goldberg
- Murray Goldfarb
- Stacy Goldman, MD & Michael Goldman, Esquire
- David Golub
- Taryn Goodhart
- Ruth Gordon
- Samantha Gordon
- Allison Gorelick
- Debbie Graham
- Jason Granet
- Juliet & Michael Gray
- Amy Green
- Janet Greenblatt
- Diane Grimmig
- Mia Grindon
- Steven Gross
- Nysha Gupta
- Heather Halper
- Audrey Handel
- Joan & Harvey Hankin
- Diane Harr
- Jennifer Hartford
- Leslie Harwood-Ehrlich
- Neil Hasson
- Mia Heard
- John Heffer
- Kelly Baldwin Heid & Markham Heid
- Shannon Pulaski
- Jessica Herman
- Abraham Joshua Heschel School
- Meredith Hillman
- Andrew Hirsch
- Mary Hiserodt
- Tyler Ho
- Patrick Hoogendijk
- Barbara Horwitz
- Cynthia Hudak
- Janet Huggins
- Jeannine Hyman
- Jerry Isaak-shapiro
- Andrew Jacobs
- Elaine Jacoby
- Chris Jesmer
- Philip Jia
- J & K Distributors
- Nancy Johnson
- Jane Johnston
- Hillary Jury
- Lisa Kapp
- Michael Katzovitz
- Eric Kayne
- Michelle Kelban
- Sherry Kenduck
- Deborah Kenny
- Yong Kim
- Barbara King
- Brendan King
- Melissa Kingma
- Geri Kirilova
- Deborah & Jeremy Klein
- Diane Klein
- Elizabeth Klein
- Jeffrey Klein
- Marlene Kline
- Elaine Klos
- Charles Knopf
- Barry Korn
- Emma Kozak
- Jill Krasnove
- Emily & James Kronenberg
- Andrea & Walter Kuczynski
- Ileana Kutler, Esq. & David Kutler
- Richard Lacy
- Kenneth Lakra
- Stacey Lauren
- Christine Lauture
- David Leavitt
- Sara Lee
- Beth Lemler
- LaVonne Levie
- Leslie & Adam Levin
- Jackie Levine
- Whitney Levine
- Gregg Levy
- Robin & William Levy
- LM Restaurant Group, LLC
- Lolleez
- Kathy & Ralph Losinno
- Mike Lovascio
- Hien Lu
- Camy Mahmoudian
- Maria Teresa Maisano
- Bassem Mansour
- Sharon Marcus
- Stephanie Marton & Collin Galster
- Luke Maslowski
- Lisa Mathias
- Leigh McCloskey
- Margaret McConville
- Ellen McLeod
- Kiersten Meehan
- Deborah Mehok
- Shannon Merkel
- Janet Merritt
- Jordan Metzger
- Stacey Meyer
- Hillary & Lance Milken
- Carly Miller
- Jennifer Miller
- Stephanie & Jared Miller
- Skylar Minichello
- Shana Minkin
- Linda & Paul Mischler
- Bob Mitchell
- Allison Molkenthin
- Beryl Moore
- Pam Moran
- Morrissey, Hawkins & Lynch
- Jodi Moss
- Melody Moss
- Theresa A. Mulloy
- Kate Nagel
- Caren Nakhooda
- Wendy & Wallie Nathan
- Emily Neider
- Michael Nerenberg
- Eleanor Newman
- Jessica Newshel
- Mark Nicholson
- Sarah Nodelman
- Nikki Nudelman
- Kathy O'Brien
- Joyce O'Connell
- Dr. Kelly O'Connell
- Josac Olivarez
- Ruth Oratz
- Nicole Pasternak
- Catherina Perifimos
- Jessica Perilman
- Stanley Perla
- Serena Perlman
- Julie Perlson
- Luke Petherbridge
- Amy Pfau
- Aaron Pierce
- Annie Pockriss
- Loree Politziner & Wayne Kevin Potters
- Bruce Pollack
- Joel Post
- Dustin Potter
- Alan Radov
- Kristen Ramsey
- Leslie Regenbaum
- Tony Reisman
- Valerie Rice
- Brianne Ro
- Beth Robbins & Neil Nodelman
- Barbara Romano
- Lori Rosenbaum
- Karen Rosenberg
- David Rosenblatt
- Gillian Rosensweig
- Eva Ross
- Deborah Roth
- Miranda Rubin
- Hal Rudin-Luria
- Hannah Rutherford
- Eliza Saada
- Nate Saint Victor
- Joseph Sanderson
- Linda Sanet
- Neha Sangani
- Kelly Satterthwaite
- Paula Schaffer-Polakof
- Dr. Ephraim Schechter
- Tyler Schechter
- Ruth Schelberg
- Zach Schelberg
- Judith Schermer
- David Schiffer
- Mark Schiffer
- Michael Schindler
- Roberta Schneider
- Brian Schwabenland
- Susan & Evan Schwartzfarb
- Ana & Jeffrey Seltzer
- Susan Servetnick
- Zack Shandell
- Michaela Shapiro
- Gillian Sheeran
- The late Margaret Sherman
- Anita Siegal
- Shari Siegel-Goldman, MD
- Lauren Siegel
- Jill Silverberg
- Dana Simms
- Margo Sivin
- Anne Skutches
- John Slagter
- Kirstin Slattery
- Jaimie Slosberg
- Robia Smith-Herman
- Amy Smith
- Jami Smith
- Marissa Solomon
- Julie Soloway
- Lisa Sommer-Balog
- Dr. Alexis Sporkin
- Beth Stearman
- Phyllis Stearman
- Kenneth Stern
- Rachel Stern
- Dara Stevens
- Harold Stricker
- Claire Strycharz
- Alexa Su
- Margaret Sullivan
- Joanna Suna
- Kenneth Swain
- Tammy Swill
- Heather Symecko
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
- Ashley Talamo
- Denise & Mitchell Tanzman
- Jill Tarnow
- Bonnie Tenenbaum
- Nikita Thakore
- Oliver Thomas
- Julia Thornton
- Daniel Timins
- Jeffrey Tinley
- Wendy Topkis, Esquire & Douglas Topkis
- Carolyn Touchet
- Andrew Trevenen
- Michael Tweyman
- Pamela Vaccaro
- Randi Vogel
- Maureen Voll
- Jay Wald
- Dan Waldman
- Donna Waldt
- Helene Wartel
- Sondra & Marvin Wasman
- Hallie Wasserman
- Den Webb
- Ronald Weinberg
- Alexander Weindling
- Lindsay Weiner
- Penny Weis
- Stephen Weiss
- Rachel Welner
- Gayle & Larry Wieseneck
- Elana Wilf & Brett Tanzman
- Patricia Winetz
- Chloe Wright
- Jacquelyn Xu
- Michelle Yanche
- Maggie Zakhary
- Elissa Zaslow
- Gary Zdolshek
- Brian Zemil
- Simon Ziff
SWIPE
Tributes
The Basser Center for BRCA has received many generous and thoughtful gifts in honor, memory, and celebration of the following individuals.
- Lily Anchin
- Faith Basser
- Pearl Basser
- Allison Bergeron
- Jenee Bobbora
- Angie & Joe Campolo
- Ken Caplan
- Phyliss Dinolfo
- Dr. Susan Domchek
- Frederick Downey
- Irene Edelstein
- Tiffany Fenech
- Nina Garcia
- John Gavin
- Michele George
- Susan Getz
- Barbara Glickman
- Jennie Goas Silverman
- Debbie Goodman
- Mindy & Jon Gray
- Alex Haas
- Michael Haas
- Herbert Hoffman
- Dawn Howarth
- Michele & Kevah Konner
- Bunny Kramer
- Irene Laster
- Nancy & Brad Levie
- Sara Lustgarten
- Marilyn Virginia May
- Trace McCreary
- Patty McIntyre
- Marla Mehlman
- Mary Anne Merrill
- Skylar Minichiello
- Chloe Morawski
- Dani Nodelman
- Trish & Eric Pisauro
- Ali & Elicia Pomeroy
- Stephen Ponticiello
- Shari & Len Potter
- Tenley Poulin
- Rachel Presser
- Laura Reinke
- Carolyn Reisman
- Michael Reiss
- Lynn Riestenberg
- Susie Rosenbaum
- Terry Roth
- Michelle Rubin
- David Shanker
- Tina Siedler
- Helene & Robert Sorin
- Jenny Sorin
- Jill Steinberg
- Jane Rose Taddeo
- Jennifer Taddeo
- Dede Thea
- Dr. Jared Thomas
- Sara Twersky
- Beverly Virany
- Valerie & Steve Virany
- Archie Ward
- Amy Warner
- Debi Wish
- Dana Zucker
SWIPE
- Lily Anchin
- Faith Basser
- Pearl Basser
- Allison Bergeron
- Jenee Bobbora
- Angie & Joe Campolo
- Ken Caplan
- Phyliss Dinolfo
- Dr. Susan Domchek
- Frederick Downey
- Irene Edelstein
- Tiffany Fenech
- Nina Garcia
- John Gavin
- Michele George
- Susan Getz
- Barbara Glickman
- Jennie Goas Silverman
- Debbie Goodman
- Mindy & Jon Gray
- Alex Haas
- Michael Haas
- Herbert Hoffman
- Dawn Howarth
- Michele & Kevah Konner
- Bunny Kramer
- Irene Laster
- Nancy & Brad Levie
- Sara Lustgarten
- Marilyn Virginia May
- Trace McCreary
- Patty McIntyre
- Marla Mehlman
- Mary Anne Merrill
- Skylar Minichiello
- Chloe Morawski
- Dani Nodelman
- Trish & Eric Pisauro
- Ali & Elicia Pomeroy
- Stephen Ponticiello
- Shari & Len Potter
- Tenley Poulin
- Rachel Presser
- Laura Reinke
- Carolyn Reisman
- Michael Reiss
- Lynn Riestenberg
- Susie Rosenbaum
- Terry Roth
- Michelle Rubin
- David Shanker
- Tina Siedler
- Helene & Robert Sorin
- Jenny Sorin
- Jill Steinberg
- Jane Rose Taddeo
- Jennifer Taddeo
- Dede Thea
- Dr. Jared Thomas
- Sara Twersky
- Beverly Virany
- Valerie & Steve Virany
- Archie Ward
- Amy Warner
- Debi Wish
- Dana Zucker
Thank You
What if this could be the last generation of cancer in your family?
