Philanthropy
Donors at every level are the heart of the Discoveries Campaign. Read about some of our most significant gifts below.
The Starr Foundation - Bold Blueprints for our Health
The Starr Foundation recently announced two gifts for stem cell and cancer research totaling $105 million to a consortium including Weill Cornell Medical College and four other top-notch research organizations. It is a major renewal of its previous support for this pioneering, collaborative research. [Read full story]
“The Starr Foundation is helping to shape the model for the future of biomedical research. We are enormously grateful for their vision and support”
— Laurie H. Glimcher, M.D.Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean
Provost for Medical Affairs
Among the Weill Cornell Principal Investigators in the Starr Cancer Consortium (L to R): Steven M. Lipkin, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Genetic Medicine; Selina Chen-Kiang, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology and Professor of Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis; Samie Jaffrey, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmacology.
The Ruben Family Legacy: Sparking Synergies
Larry Ruben, along with his children, recently made a gift to the Discoveries Campaign to create the Ruben Family Conference Center in the new Belfer Research Building – a facility designed to "fire up imaginations and turn the possibilities of medical breakthroughs into realities," says Mr. Ruben. [Read full story]
“Larry's generosity is a reflection of his and his family's long held belief in the power and quality of Weill Cornell's research, patient care and education, as well as his and his family's commitment to philanthropy.”
— Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., M.D., D. Phil., Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell (1997-2011)Jan and Larry Ruben
61st Street Science Building Named In Honor Of Gertrude and Louis Feil Family
Thanks to a $30 million gift from the Louis Feil Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Weill Cornell’s state-of-the-art 7-story laboratory research and administrative building at 407 East 61st Street—a blueprint for 21st century science—was recently named the Gertrude and Louis Feil Family Research Building to honor the memory of the parents of Board of Overseer member Jeffrey Feil and his sister, Carole Feil, the Trustees thereof. [Read full story]
“Naming this facility in honor of the Feils is the perfect way to honor the family’s generosity to Weill Cornell and its long legacy of support.”
— Overseer Jeffrey FeilGetrude and Louis Feil
John Kanas Family Suite in Children’s Health Research
John Kanas’ professional success is in banking, but his personal lifelong passion has been as an advocate for children. As part of a $7.5 million gift to the Discoveries Campaign, John and his wife, Elaine, established the John Kanas Family Suite in Children’s Health Research in the new Belfer Research Building. [Read full story]
“Everything we do in health care is important. But when it comes to research for children’s health, there is simply no greater priority.”
— Overseer John KanasJeanne and Herbert J. Siegel Investing in Excellence
Mr. and Mrs. Siegel’s recent $5.75 million gift to the Discoveries Campaign supports two of Weill Cornell Medical College's key priorities: outstanding faculty and student scholarships. The gift will establish the Siegel Family Faculty Awards — an annual faculty prize of $50,000 — and the Siegel Family Student Prizes — eight annual medical student scholarship prizes of $25,000 each. [Read full story]
“Faculty and students are the lifeblood of Weill Cornell Medical College. Especially now, it is hard to think of a better cause to support.”
— Overseer Herbert J. SiegelJeanne and Herbert J. Siegel
Helen and Robert J. Appel Giving Tops $30 Million
It is hard to find a way to thank donors who selflessly donate $15 million to the Discoveries Campaign. When it happens twice, expressing the depth of our gratitude is an almost impossible task. Helen and Robert J. Appel recently made their second $15 million gift to the Discoveries Campaign, which will support the Neurodegenerative Diseases Floor and related faculty recruitment in the planned Belfer Research Building. [Read full story]
Click here to see photos from the Appels' Celebration.
“Helen and Bob have been a driving force behind the Discoveries Campaign. We are forever grateful for their loyalty and friendship.”
— Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., M.D., D. Phil., Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell (1997-2011)Left to right: Cornell University President David J. Skorton, M.D.; Joan Weill; Sanford I. Weill; Helen Appel; Bob Appel; Anita Gotto; and Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, Jr. at a celebration of the Appel's philanthropy.
Margaret and Ian Smith Clinical Skills Center
Weill Cornell is not your grandparent’s medical school. Thanks to the Margaret and Ian Smith Clinical Skills Center — a state-of-the-art teaching facility that allows students to practice clinical skills in a safe and controlled environment — students are learning how to become doctors earlier in their education. [Read full story]
Click here to see photos from the Smith's Potrait Dedication.
“Our vision is that students not only have a profound knowledge of medicine, but also the ability to listen well with compassion and sensitivity to patients.”
— Overseer Ian Smith and his wife MargaretMargaret and Ian Smith at the dedication of their portrait outside the Margaret and Ian Smith Clinical Skills Center
Jaharis Family Foundation’s $8 Million Gift Supports Heart Health
As part of a $5 million gift from the Jaharis Family Foundation to the Discoveries Campaign — recognized at the $8 million level with the Weill Challenge— Mr. Jaharis and the family established the Jaharis Family Cardiovascular Research Suite in the new Belfer Research Building. [Read full story]
“I can’t think of a better cause to support than medical education and biomedical research.”
— Overseer Michael JaharisResearch Suite Lounge in the new Belfer Research Building
© Polshek Partnership Architects. Please note: This is a representation of what the space may look like when building design and construction have been completed. It is not a precise depiction.
Peter M. Sacerdote Urological Research Laboratory
Peter Sacerdote's gift of $5 million to the Discoveries Campaign renovated and expanded the Peter M. Sacerdote Urological Research Laboratory in Weill Cornell"s Harkness Building. The gift will also create the Peter M. Sacerdote Distinguished Professorship in Urologic Oncology. [Read full story]
Click here to see photos from the Sacerdote's Laboratory Dedication.
“I am delighted to be a part of this exciting time of discovery and innovation and feel proud to support Weill Cornell's internationally acclaimed Department of Urology.”
— Overseer Peter M. SacerdoteLeft to right: Peter M. Sacerdote and Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., at the ceremony for the Peter M. Sacerdote Urological Research Laboratory
