A $75 million gift from longtime philanthropists Sandra and Edward Meyer and the Sandra and Edward Meyer Foundation will expand and enhance Weill Cornell's distinguished cancer research and care programs.
This landmark gift names the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medical College, led by preeminent cancer researcher Dr. Lewis Cantley, which is dedicated to using precision medicine and other cutting-edge biomedical approaches to spur and then translate research breakthroughs into the most advanced therapies for patients. In honor of the Meyer family’s generous gift, Weill Cornell will also name its flagship building on 1300 York Avenue as the Sandra and Edward Meyer Research and Education Building.
“We are deeply grateful to Sandra and Edward Meyer for their transformative gift, which will enable Weill Cornell to expand its world-class enterprise in cancer research and clinical care,” says Laurie H. Glimcher, M.D., the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College. “Cancer is a disease that touches everyone’s lives, and with Ed and Sandy’s generous support, we will be able to rapidly accelerate our pursuit of groundbreaking treatments and therapies for our patients.”
The Meyer Cancer Center champions a dramatic shift in the paradigm for translational biomedical research and clinical care. It will engage basic scientists, pathologists, bioinformaticians, surgeons, radiation oncologists and radiologists who will collaborate daily to move these discoveries from the bench to clinical trials and ultimately into therapies for patients.
The Meyer Center will also unify cancer research activities throughout Weill Cornell and enhance three core areas critical to precision medicine: a centralized biobank, cancer genomics and computational biology. In addition, the Meyer family’s gift will enable Weill Cornell to continue its efforts in recruiting the world’s best and brightest minds in cancer research and clinical care, while also providing seed money to realize innovative research projects.
“The Meyer family’s generosity will enable us to realize our goal of developing cancer treatments that capitalize on precision medicine, offering targeted, individualized care based on each patient’s tumor,” says Lewis Cantley, Ph.D., the Meyer Director of the Meyer Cancer Center, the Margaret and Herman Sokol Professor in Oncology Research and Professor of Cancer Biology in Medicine. “This gift will make it possible for us to be at the forefront of cancer research, to purchase the necessary technology and recruit the very best talent to carry out this vital work.”
While this is the Meyer family’s first gift to Weill Cornell Medical College, in 2012 Edward Meyer, former Chair, President and CEO of Grey Global Group and current Chair of Ocean Road Advisors, Inc., funded the Edward H. Meyer Professorship of Economics at his alma mater, Cornell University. Through their family foundation, established in 1966, the Meyer family has an enduring dedication to philanthropy and has championed medical research and clinical care, arts and education, Jewish organizations and federated giving programs.
“Sandy, our children Meg and Tony and I gave careful consideration to which New York institution was best poised to produce breakthroughs in cancer, and Weill Cornell was the obvious choice due to its exceptional roster of translational, cutting-edge scientists and commitment to building its oncology research enterprise,” says Overseer Edward Meyer. “Our daughter’s experience working with Dr. Cantley many years ago solidified our lifelong respect for him, and we are thrilled and humbled to have him lead the Meyer Cancer Center. We can think of no better investment that will make as big a difference in the world, and we know that together we can do great things for cancer patients and their families.”
