Lustgarten Foundation Celebrates Leaders in Pancreatic Cancer Research at Annual Gala

Lustgarten Foundation Honors Leaders in Pancreatic Cancer Research

On June 3, 2026, the Lustgarten Foundation held its annual Inspiring Hope Gala at Peak at The Edge in Hudson Yards, New York. This event brought together supporters, researchers, medical professionals, industry leaders, and philanthropic partners to celebrate significant advancements in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The evening was dedicated to honoring exceptional individuals who have made remarkable strides in the field, focusing on scientific innovation, patient care, and therapeutic development.

Among the honored were Elizabeth Jaffee, MD from Johns Hopkins Medicine, who received the Hope Through Scientific Leadership Award. Dr. Jaffee was recognized for her visionary role in elevating Lustgarten's Clinical Program, which has achieved national prominence due to its depth and rigor. Eileen M. O'Reilly, MD from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, was presented with the Hope Through Compassion Award for her dedicated commitment to patients and innovative clinical research initiatives. Additionally, Jonathan E. Lim, MD, CEO of Erasca, accepted the Hope Through Science Award for the company’s groundbreaking efforts to foster new treatment avenues for pancreatic cancer and other RAS/MAPK-driven malignancies.

The personal account of Lily Green, a 24-year-old patient battling pancreatic cancer, poignantly illustrated the direct impact these honorees have on patients’ lives. She recounted how Dr. O'Reilly's expertise and compassionate care inspired hope following her diagnosis, a testament to the crucial connection between clinical research and patient outcomes.

The Lustgarten Foundation, established nearly three decades ago, has invested a remarkable $333 million in 386 high-risk, high-reward research initiatives, resulting in nearly every major advancement within the sphere of pancreatic cancer. Linda Tantawi, CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation, remarked, "Each of this year's honorees represents a different dimension of progress in pancreatic cancer research, from scientific leadership and patient care to the development of transformative new therapies. At Lustgarten, we strive to align stakeholders in science, industry, and philanthropy around a collective goal, enabling us to transform what is attainable for patients and their families."

Through consistent recognition of those paving the way in pancreatic cancer research, the Lustgarten Foundation illustrates the importance of collaborative effort in redefining clinical options and patient expectancies. This year’s gala highlighted prior remarkable achievements, including Revolution Medicines being honored in 2025 for their pioneering work on KRAS-targeted therapies. Their breakthrough laid the groundwork for the FDA's unprecedented granting of an Expanded Access designation for daraxonrasib, a novel treatment aimed at patients battling pan-RAS-driven cancers.

David Tuveson, MD, Cancer Center Director at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Chief Scientist of the Lustgarten Foundation, emphasized the necessity of sustained scientific investment. He stated, "This moment signifies what can be achieved in a field historically characterized by limited treatment options. Our ongoing triumphs are rooted in years of foundational research, and while we celebrate milestones such as the introduction of RAS inhibitors, the upcoming challenge remains to integrate researchers, clinicians, and industry expertise to develop combination strategies that will yield lasting benefits."

Currently, pancreatic cancer diagnoses affect more than 185 individuals in the United States each day, with projections indicating it could become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. In the face of substantial challenges—such as funding uncertainties, pressures on research institutions, and the need for fostering innovation—the urgency for ongoing investment in pancreatic cancer research has never been more critical.

The Lustgarten Foundation, as the world's largest private financier of pancreatic cancer research, continues to dedicate its efforts toward promoting promising scientific avenues and catalyzing progress. Their mission ultimately aims to transform pancreatic cancer from a deadly disease into a curable reality.