For a quarter-century, Conquer Cancer has strived to help early-career investigators and the brightest minds in cancer research turn promising ideas into lifesaving realities.
When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988, Ms. Lauder’s search for an oncologist led her to Dr. Norton. Through her personal experience and Dr. Norton’s heartfelt care, Ms. Lauder, who passed away from an unrelated ovarian cancer in 2011, developed a profound understanding of the need to keep research continually advancing.
Throughout her life, Ms. Lauder fostered a deep respect for creativity. Dr. Norton vividly recalled her identifying two key things that creative people need: the freedom to pursue their ideas and, when ideas don’t pan out, the willingness to learn from them and try something new.
In that spirit, BCRF established the Endowed YIA in Memory of Evelyn Lauder. Funded yearly through Conquer Cancer since 2013, the endowment provides enduring support for emerging but promising breast cancer researchers.
Beyond advancing treatment and cures, Dr. Norton hopes future recipients of this award will leverage their imagination and emphasized the value of taking risks and empowering investigators to try new methods that may otherwise go unexplored.
“If you can prove an idea doesn’t work, that’s still a step forward. Evelyn would have embraced and enthusiastically supported this initiative. It’s entirely consistent with her life’s mission.”