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SUMMER 2025 NEWSLETTER
A Celebration of Innovation, Inspiration, and Israel
| | Every breakthrough starts with a spark. For 50 years, ICRF has ignited progress by investing in early-stage cancer research led by Israel’s most promising scientific minds. Together, we're giving cancer patients and their families the most precious gift—more time. And we won’t stop until we see a world without cancer. | | Despite the unimaginable obstacles our Israeli scientists face, cancer research must continue for the benefit of the world. We're at a pivotal moment. The discoveries of tomorrow depend on what we do today. | | June is Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month | | Dr. Arnold Baskies on Why Immunotherapy is a Game-Changer | | |
Once limited to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, cancer treatment now includes a powerful fourth arm: immunotherapy—and it’s transforming care for patients around the world.
As we recognize Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month in June, we sat down with Arnold Baskies MD, FACS, Chair of ICRF’s International Board of Trustees and former chair of the American Cancer Society, to explore the promise of immunotherapy in the fight against cancer.
| | | Dr. Baskies completed a fellowship in surgical oncology and tumor immunology at the National Cancer Institute where he participated in the world’s first clinical trial that showed a positive outcome for immunotherapy. In addition, he pioneered the first immunotherapy treatments for patients with brain tumors. | | “Cancer immunotherapy research, and scientific research in general takes time. These advancements don't happen over 24 hours—they occur over years and years, and we all live on the shoulders of people who preceded us." | | |
Learn more about his impact in the field, his journey from a young investigator into a respected leader, and why he believes immunotherapy will continue to change the game for cancer patients and their families.
Read the Interview
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Immunotherapy in Action: Treating Pancreatic Cancer
Scientist Spotlight: Dr. Erez Hasnis
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Erez Hasnis, MD, PhD
Recipient of The Barbara S. Goodman Endowed
Research Career Development Award (RCDA)
in Pancreatic Cancer Research
Rambam Healthcare Campus
Dr. Hasnis' current ICRF award focuses on immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer, where immune suppression occurs due to high levels of a protein called OASL. Dr. Hasnis is studying OASL to enhance existing therapies and potentially develop new treatments for this difficult-to-treat cancer.
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Prior to this current grant, Dr. Hasnis received the ICRF-Israel Ministry of Science and Technology Gesher Award years ago, which supported his postdoctoral transition into establishing an independent research program in Israel. That was his first ICRF grant.
Read More
| | “ICRF was the first to support my research, even before I started working as an independent researcher in Israel after returning from a postdoc in the U.S. Thanks to this generous support I reached preliminary results, received additional grants, and established a thriving team. I will forever be grateful." | | Experience ICRF's 50th Anniversary Mission to Israel | | |
Explore Israel with us and see firsthand ICRF's meaningful impact. Meet our scientists and learn about the larger Israeli scientific community that ICRF is an integral part of. Join us on our first mission since 2018 and see Israel in a way words and pictures can’t describe — ways that can only be felt in person.
Trip highlights include exclusive opportunities with ICRF grantees, coveted culinary experiences, visiting renowned institutions, touring iconic cities, and so much more.
| | Your presence will mean the world to our hardworking scientists who persevere through unimaginable challenges. Standing by them while expressing our gratitude assures them that they have our unwavering support — now more than ever. | | Face to Face With Science: ICRF Researcher Shahar Frenkel Visits | | |
We recently had the honor of meeting with ICRF-funded researcher Professor Shahar Frenkel of Hadassah Medical Center, where he serves as Director of the Ocular Oncology Unit and Research Laboratory.
It was incredibly inspiring to learn about the trajectory of his work in pediatric eye cancer, hear the latest updates from his research, and gain insight into what it means to be a clinician-scientist—someone who works closely with children facing cancer and their parents, fighting every day to save lives, eyes, and vision.
| | | | Brian S. Henick, MD, Medical Oncologist, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and ICRF Scientific Review Panel Member, Professor Shahar Frenkel, Director of the Ocular Oncology Unit and Research Laboratory, Hadassah Medical Center, Deirdre Heiss Densen, Director of Grants Management and Special Projects, ICRF. | | |
Perhaps most exciting is that Prof. Frenkel’s findings may have implications far beyond eye cancer—and we can’t wait to see how his work continues to evolve.
Prof. Frenkel conveyed how grateful he is for ICRF’s support, especially during such a difficult time for the people of Israel. We are equally grateful to him—and to all our scientists—who, despite daily challenges, remain steadfast in their quest for a cure.
| | The Gift of More Time - Mother's Day | | In case you missed them last month, we hope you'll read these two powerful stories about dedicated moms fighting for more time. | | |
Immunotherapy helps certain cancer patients avoid surgery: ‘We hope this is the future’ (CNN) Dostarlimab, developed by the pharmaceutical company GSK and sold under the brand name Jemperli, has been found in previous research to make solid tumors essentially disappear among people with rectal cancer.
Cancer before age 50 is increasing. A new study looks at which types (AP News)
A new government study provides the most complete picture yet of early-onset cancers, finding that the largest increases are in breast, colorectal, kidney, and uterine cancers.
Cancer Deaths Linked to Alcohol on the Rise in the U.S. (NBC News) Yearly cancer deaths linked to alcohol have doubled in the United States over the last three decades, rising from just under 12,000 a year in 1990 to more than 23,000 a year in 2021, new research finds. The increase was driven by deaths in men 55 and older, the study authors said.
Michael Bolton diagnosed with brain cancer glioblastoma. What is that? (USA Today)
Michael Bolton’s battle with glioblastoma has brought renewed attention to one of the most complex, deadly, and treatment-resistant cancers. The singer, 72, was diagnosed in December 2023 after having emergency surgery. He also underwent another brain surgery in January 2024.
| | ICRF@50 - Celebrate with us! | | ICRF's official 50th anniversary is July 9th, and we are excited to celebrate with you! | | |
Throughout the month of July, we'll be spotlighting iconic moments from the past 50 years, highlighting key ICRF changemakers, and recognizing the groundbreaking research that’s shaping the next 50 years and beyond.
Check out our ICRF@50 webpage to see all the ways you can share in this moment.
| | | ICRF 2025 Upcoming Events | | Monday, June 9, 2025, Scarsdale, NY - ICRF Sandy Herzfeld Memorial Golf Outing | | |
Support the event by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win a trip for two to Robb Report's Culinary Masters this September in Nashville! There is also limited space left for the dinner and cocktail reception.
Register and Get Raffle Tickets
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| | Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Chicago - Night of Games | | |
Play canasta, mahjong, rummikub, and more! Light buffet dinner, dessert, open bar. Enjoy a great evening of fun while supporting cancer research. Bring your own games. Fabulous raffle prizes!
Register, Raffle Tickets, Honor Wall
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Sunday, October 26, 2025, Washington, D.C. - 2025 Marine Corps Marathon
Sunday, November 2, 2025, New York City - 2025 TCS New York City Marathon
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Team ICRF is participating in two iconic races this year! Limited spots are available on our Marine Corps Marathon team, and you can also support our 2025 TCS New York City Marathon runners as they gear up for race day.
Sign up to run the Marine Corps Marathon and Support our NYC Marathon Runners.
| | | See a full calendar of our upcoming events here. | | ICRF's Heritage Society - Assure Tomorrow's Cure | | We welcome you to be part of our esteemed Heritage Society, which recognizes the generosity of those who make legacy gifts. Through bequests, charitable trusts, donor advised funds, gifts of appreciated stock, and more, you can shape the future of cancer research in Israel and beyond. | | | Matching Gifts - Double Your Donation | | Help ICRF Fund Twice the Research | | | | |
Double the impact of your tax-deductible gift to ICRF! Find out if your employer will match your donation.
Your gift + your employer's match makes twice as much groundbreaking cancer research possible. Learn more below.
| | Connect with us on Social Media | | See what we're up to and be part of the conversation on social media. Engage with us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn: @ICRFONLINE | | We'd Love to Hear From You | | Like what you're reading? Interested in learning more about a particular topic related to Israel's cancer research? We welcome your feedback and ideas for future newsletters and content you'd like to see. Email communications@icrfonline.org and tell us what you think! | | | | |
