The late Arthur L. Irving, his wife, Sandra, and his daughter, Sarah, first visited Massachusetts General Hospital in the early 1990s — the beginning of what would become a more than 30-year friendship with Mass General Brigham. Since then, the family have been steadfast supporters, contributing generously to a variety of initiatives in cardiology and cancer research over the years.
That longtime legacy of generosity is being carried on with a $30 million gift from the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation, the Arthur and Sandra Irving Foundation, and Sandra and Sarah Irving to name the Arthur and Sandra Irving Center for Cancer Immunology at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. A marker of Arthur, Sandra, and Sarah’s bold vision for the future of cancer care, their transformative investment in this cutting-edge area of cancer research, which harnesses the immune system to fight cancer, will bring new hope to patients with cancer and their families.
“The Irvings picture a world without cancer and are wholly dedicated to making that goal a reality. Their latest gift is a testament to that fact and another shining example of their commitment to Mass General Brigham,” says David Ryan, MD, president of Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. “They have been incredible partners to us, and I am deeply grateful for their years of friendship, all the progress they have helped us achieve so far, and for all that is to come.”
Fostering the future
Arthur, Sandra, and Sarah Irving’s connection to the Cancer Institute is deeply personal. In 1999, Arthur sought cancer treatment at Mass General. And years later, in 2016, they returned to Mass General when Sandra faced a cancer diagnosis of her own. From the beginning, they were struck by the kindness and dedication of the caregivers and researchers they met.
“We first learned about the innovative work happening in cancer immunology at Mass General from some of the remarkable clinicians we developed relationships with over the years,” Sandra says. “We are inspired by the promise of immunology and by the team and talent at Mass General Brigham and their dedication to finding answers.”
Investing in people and nurturing future leaders have always been at the heart of the Irving family’s giving, and at Mass General Brigham, they saw an opportunity to do just that. Their gift will establish an awards program funding basic research and translational science in cancer immunology and create four new endowed chairs in cancer immunology to recognize current leaders and to recruit rising stars.
The gift supports the annual Arthur and Sandra Irving Cancer Immunology Innovation Retreat and Arthur and Sandra Irving Cancer Immunology Symposium. This one-of-a-kind workshop in cancer immunology, now in its sixth year, connects early-career immunologists with leading senior investigators to develop their leadership skills and form a strong community within the field.
“So much innovation happens when you bring visionary scientists, clinicians, and trainees together in pursuit of a single goal,” says Nir Hacohen, PhD, director of the newly named Irving Center. “Arthur, Sandra, and Sarah have made it possible for us to continue fostering that spirit of collaboration, which is so essential to our work. It’s what produces paradigm-breaking ideas — the ideas that will help us fully realize the promise of cancer immunology.”
A new era of cancer care
While cancer cells are often detected by the immune system, most of them evade the body’s immune response. Looking to change that, researchers at the Irving Center are developing immunotherapies that trigger immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells.
“Leveraging the immune system to kill cancer is a real gamechanger, especially for patients whose cancer doesn’t respond to traditional treatments like chemotherapy,” says Hacohen. “In both standard of care and ongoing clinical trials, we have seen patients achieve long-term remission as a result of immunotherapies. Thanks to Arthur, Sandra, and Sarah, we are inspired and poised to accelerate towards a future in which many more patients would benefit from cancer immunotherapy.”
For example, the center’s dedicated investigators are working on ways to use the immune system to halt the progression of early-stage cancer and even prevent cancer from developing entirely. This gift will drive breakthroughs that will enable yet undiscovered immune-based therapies for patients.
“Our gift is very much one that honors Arthur’s life and legacy in helping others,” Sandra says. “It is our greatest wish that this gift will bring answers and hope to patients and families facing a cancer diagnosis.”
Rooted in gratitude
When Sandra and Sarah think about what led them to this moment, the word that comes to mind is gratitude — for the care they have received and the friendships they have formed at Mass General Brigham over the last three decades.
“We are forever grateful for the kindness and care of the team at Mass General Brigham,” Sarah says. “The center honors Mom and Dad’s lifetime together, their kindness in helping others, their dedication to supporting research and care, and always their belief in finding hope.”
For the clinicians, scientists, leaders, and staff at the Irving Center and across Mass General Brigham, the feeling is mutual.
“On behalf of all of us at Mass General Brigham, we are honored to name the center in tribute to Arthur and Sandra and everything they and Sarah have done for us over the years,” says David F. M. Brown, MD, president of Academic Medical Centers for Mass General Brigham. “This gift truly lays the foundation for the future of cancer immunology — one of the most promising frontiers in cancer research right now — and will touch the lives of patients and families today and for generations to come.”
Sandra and Sarah Irving are also proud to serve on the President’s Board of Advisors and the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute Advisory Council.
To learn more about how you can support the Arthur and Sandra Irving Center for Cancer Immunology, contact Megan Daniels at medaniels@mgb.org.
