"Pediatric cancers are considered rare diseases, but they aren't rare when they strike your family," reflects Marc Goldberg. In 1988, Marc and his wife, Beth, lost their 14-year-old son, Michael, to a pediatric lymphoma. In response, they generously established the Michael Goldberg Fellowship Fund in the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

The Michael Goldberg Fellowship Fund trains the next generation of top-notch pediatric oncologists. This fellowship in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology not only provides fellows with superb clinical training, but also lays the foundation for excellence in research pursuits. “Many former Michael Goldberg Fellows are today’s leaders in the field,” says Paul A. Meyers, MD, Chief, Pediatric Sarcoma Service and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs at MSK.

Past fellows were involved in these research areas at MSK and are now world-class clinicians and scientists:

• Oriana Miltiadous, MD: Studied microbiome associations with clinical outcomes in pediatric cancer patients. Currently a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Oriana Miltiadous | Sloan Kettering Institute (mskcc.org) 

• Lisa Giulino Roth, MD: Conducted research on the molecular characterization of Pediatric Burkitt Lymphoma while a fellow. Currently the Director of Pediatric Oncology at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. https://weillcornell.org/lgroth

• Nathan E. Millard, MD: Studied the genetics of Pediatric Leukemia during his fellowship. Now on staff in Hematology-Oncology at Seattle Children’s Hospital. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/directory/nathan-edward-millard/

• William W. Terry, MD, MPH: Investigated the long-term effects of chemotherapy for Pediatric Lymphomas at MSK. Currently the Medical Director of the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa. https://medicine.uiowa.edu/pediatrics/profile/william-terry

• Zeena S. Salman, MBBS, MPH: Researched experimental therapeutics for Acute Myeloid Leukemia during her fellowship. Currently a pediatric oncologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=zeena+salman

Pioneering research spearheaded by MSK's Department of Pediatrics has led to an 80 percent cure rate for children with cancer, but that is not good enough. Our goal is to drive that number higher through innovative work—ever mindful of the need for less-toxic therapies that minimize the long-term effects of cancer treatment.

Today, we have an unprecedented opportunity to change the lives of children and families who are affected by rare cancers. Philanthropy is crucial to driving this momentum, and we ask that you join us by supporting the Michael Goldberg Fellowship Fund at MSK. Thank you for your kind consideration.