Doctors are Heroes

The heroic team of doctors and nurses at MSKCC who cared for Bernie extended his ilfe many times over. When he was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on his 84th birthday, when he was as spry and active as ever, we feared we would lose him much too soon. Our care team was clear-eyed about the challenges we faced, and brilliantly navigated him through a course of treatment that succeeded beyond expectations, even against frightening statistics related to his diagnosis. Bernie, ever the wordsmith, coined the phrase "optimistic exceptionalism" on the theory that someone has to come out winning against long odds, and as a multiple Tony award-winner, he put himself in that lane.

We are deeply grateful to Dr. William Jarnigan, Dr. Eillen O'Reilly, and our "guardian angel" Dr. Larry Norton for their extraordinary skill and care.

Help Fuel Progress

Though Bernie's case was indeed exceptional, there is still so much research to be done to help improve outcomes for more pancreatic cancer patients. Your donation in honor of Bernie's life will go directly toward the research being conducted by one of his physicians, Dr. Eileen O'Reilly. When you give to MSKCC, you're making a direct impact where it counts: toward innovative research that can move newly discovered drugs into clinical trials, and to the cancer treatment and care patients receive every day.

Fundraising efforts can lead to important and life-changing breakthroughs in cancer research—making it possible for scientists to overcome the hurdles of funding gaps. 

Honor Bernie's Memory by Helping Find a Cure

Your gift supports the best and brightest researchers in their work to outsmart cancer. These innovative thinkers are focused on fighting every form of the disease. The close collaboration between MSK's doctors and researchers is unique and one of its greatest strengths—ensuring that drugs and therapies developed in the lab can be moved quickly to the clinic. We hope Dr. O'Reilly and the team at MSK can save and extend more lives with your help.

Thank you!