Caption: During a tour of Benjamin Nacev’s cancer research lab, Jacqueline “Jackie” Shoener displayed her recognition from the University of Pittsburgh’s 1787 Society, which is for people who have made a commitment to Pitt through planned or deferred gifts.
A $1.5 million gift will advance sarcoma research at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center through the establishment of the Dr. John A. Shoener Family Endowed Research Fund for Sarcoma.
Jacqueline "Jackie" Shoener, inspired by her father's lifelong commitment to health care and her own cancer treatment at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, established the fund by making a planned gift through her individual retirement account.
This generous investment in the sarcoma research program at the University of Pittsburgh will play a pivotal role in supporting ongoing and future research and treatment initiatives at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, honoring Shoener’s vision for progress in combating this challenging disease.
Benjamin Nacev, assistant professor of medicine and of pathology, School of Medicine, focuses on sarcoma-associated genetic alterations with the goal of improving treatments for patients with sarcoma. A physician-scientist, he treated Shoener at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside, inspiring her gift.
“I am deeply grateful to Ms. Shoener and her family for this incredible gift, which will enable ongoing research in sarcoma science. This support allows us to study a rare family of cancers in need of new, innovative directions in both basic science and clinical care,” Nacev said.
More of Shoener’s story is at The Power of Hope.
For information on how philanthropy can support research and patient care initiatives at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, please contact our Development Office at +1-412-623-4700 or givetohillman@upmc.edu.