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Duke University and Feinglos Fund Unveil Innovative Grief Support Initiative

In a significant step toward integrating emotional care into medical treatment, Rebecca Feinglos, the founder of the Feinglos Fund, has partnered with Duke University's Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center to launch the Susan Mark Feinglos Grief Initiative. This groundbreaking initiative, announced on August 30, 2025, coinciding with Grief Awareness Day, aims to support cancer patients, their families, and the healthcare providers who often encounter emotional turmoil associated with cancer diagnoses.

Key Features of the Initiative

The Susan Mark Feinglos Grief Initiative represents a $250,000 commitment to creating a comprehensive grief support program tailored specifically for those impacted by cancer. Drawing on Rebecca's personal experiences with her mother, who battled glioblastoma, the initiative aims to address the overlooked grief associated with devastating cancer diagnoses. This initiative also reflects a broader understanding that effective cancer care must encompass emotional and psychological support.

Dr. Henry Friedman, an internationally recognized neuro-oncologist and co-chair of the brain tumor center, emphasized the necessity of this approach. He remarked, "The grief experienced by our patients and their families deserves the same attention and expertise as the disease itself."

Personal Motivations

Rebecca Feinglos's motivation for this initiative is deeply personal. Her late mother, Susan Feinglos, was treated by Dr. Friedman and later became a pivotal figure in the Duke community, working as a development associate at the Cancer Center. This initiative not only honors her memory but also encapsulates a family legacy of commitment to community health and well-being.

Rebecca recounted the emotional landscape her family navigated during her mother's illness: "Thirty years ago, talking about grief and mental health wasn't as common as it is today. We have a chance to provide significantly more support for patients and their caregivers, and this initiative is just the beginning."

A Roadmap for Future Care

The integration of this grief support pilot program into the Duke academic medical center's operations is seen as a potential template for healthcare facilities worldwide. The Feinglos Fund and the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center hope this initiative will inspire a cultural shift in how medical institutions approach emotional care, especially in the wake of life-altering diagnoses.

According to statistics, brain tumors affect over 700,000 Americans, with new cases diagnosed annually. The Duke center alone treats nearly 1,000 patients each year, highlighting the critical need for emotional support services in cancer care.

Recognition of Unmet Needs

Dr. Allan Friedman, also involved in the initiative, acknowledged the emotional toll that working within such a specialized field can take on healthcare providers. "Working in an environment where death and fatal diagnoses are part of daily life demands a profound level of emotional resilience. Just as we prioritize the medical needs of our patients, we must also ensure that our team receives the support they need to cope with their own grief."

The Feinglos Fund's Vision

Dedicated to enriching the lives of women and girls while advancing educational opportunities and grief support, the Feinglos Fund champions causes that align with its mission. This latest initiative embodies their commitment to not just medical treatment, but holistic care that nurtures emotional health.

For more information about the Feinglos Fund and its programs, please visit Feinglos Fund. By launching the Susan Mark Feinglos Grief Initiative, both Rebecca and the Duke team hope to pave the way for pioneering emotional support systems within cancer care and beyond, with the ultimate goal of improving the overall experiences of patients and caregivers alike.