The Sussman Family Fund

Through the ongoing dedication of the Sussman family, the Sussman Family Fund has been powerful force in advancing breast cancer breakthroughs at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) for more than two decades.

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Accelerating research and expanding hope

The Sussman Family Fund and its supporters provide crucial funding to breast cancer experts at MSK — who transform donations into lifesaving advances.

Honoring the life and legacy of Ruth Sussman

After losing Ruth to breast cancer at just 46 years old, the Sussman family made it their mission to support research and lifesaving breakthroughs at MSK.

When Ruth was diagnosed before her 40th birthday, it came as a complete shock. Today, about one in 10 women with breast cancer is under age 45 — and that figure is climbing. But thanks to the commitment of Ruth’s husband, David, and daughters, Jane and Becky, the Sussman Family Fund is helping fuel research to change this trend.

The Sussman Family Fund’s impact

Through generous philanthropy and extraordinary fundraising over the last 20 years, the Sussman Family Fund has contributed to many advances in breast cancer research at MSK. The research below, all supported by the fund, helps patients today and brings hope for brighter futures to families facing breast cancer worldwide.

Enhancing immunotherapy

MSK is studying a drug trio — lenvatinib, fulvestrant, and pembrolizumab — to help estrogen-driven, HER2-negative breast cancers respond better to immunotherapy by priming the tumor microenvironment.

Preventing metastasis

Scientists discovered that DNA-filled exosomes from T cells can halt cancer spread, potentially paving the way for therapies that overcome resistance to immunotherapy.

Optimizing treatments

Researchers are refining treatments like Enhertu® to more precisely target and eliminate cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, aiming to significantly improve patient outcomes.

Thank you to the Sussman family and supporters of the Sussman Family Fund

2025 Generous Donors

Philip Barber
Stephanie Command
Al Filreis
Emily and Lev Menand
Judge Howard Levine
Peter Lewine and Deb Gobble
David and Janice Ichel
Robert Gorman
Grace and Jon Garrity
Emmett Hume
Judith McGrath

Gail & Marty Marcus
Richard Pershan
Susan Scheftel and Richard Finkelstein
Becky Sussman
David Sussman
Jane Sussman
Mark Sussman & MJ Thompson
Lynn Thomas
Mary L. Zbikowski
Peter and Rosemary Gold
Stecher Family Foundation

2025 Generous Donors

Philip Barber
Stephanie Command
Al Filreis
Emily and Lev Menand
Judge Howard Levine
Peter Lewine and Deb Gobble
David and Janice Ichel
Robert Gorman
Grace and Jon Garrity
Emmett Hume
Judith McGrath