Susan and Len Mark of Stamford have announced that they will fund two new grants of $300,00 each over three years to support established Israel Cancer Research Fund ( ICRF) scientists studying the biology, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of ovarian and or uterine/ MMT cancers. This is the third round of ovarian research funding from the family, bringing their support of ICRF to close to $3 million. The Marks are currently funding four ovarian cancer research grants, including two at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rambam Health Care Campus and Hebrew University of Jerusalem.    

Their funding was initiated in 2013, when Len’s sister, Gloria, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and has continued since her passing in January 2016.

The Marks have chosen to support the organization because “ICRF has brought together our desire to fight ovarian and other cancers, our lifetime commitment to Israel, and our wish to keep strong our memories of Gloria Mark Spivak.” 

 They were honored with the ICRF Tower of Hope Humanitarian Award at the annual gala in 2014. Upon accepting the award, Susan remarked: “It is very thrilling to know that our gift might make a difference to the health and life of the world.”

The Israel Cancer Research Fund was founded in 1975 by a group of North American physicians, scientists and lay leaders who sought to ensure adequate funding for high-potential cancer research investigations while helping to prevent the loss of Israel’s most promising cancer researchers to overseas institutions due to a lack of funding. In addition to Connecticut, ICRF has chapters in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, Palm Springs/Coachella Valley, Chicago, and Jerusalem. 

For more information on ICRF, contact Beth Belkin at (917) 225-9604.

Main Photo: Susan and Len Mark