Fueling breakthroughs in cancer

In 2024 alone, more than 2,200 Northeast Ohio residents enrolled in clinical trials through Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC), providing access to the latest advances in cancer research.

Each clinical trial represents the culmination of years of basic and clinical translational research, made possible by the shared expertise of clinicians and scientists from Case CCC consortium partners at Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic. Donor support is critical to making clinical trials a reality. 

"Private philanthropy is crucial in funding initial basic research at the lab level to establish proof of concept that Big Pharma is willing to invest," said Peter Weinberger (LAW ’75), a two-time cancer survivor and chair of the Case CCC Advisory Council.

Weinberger so believes in the critical importance of this investment that he and his wife, Laurie, established the Peter and Laurie Weinberger Professorship in Cancer Research to provide sustained support for the cancer center’s mission. Its inaugural professor: Gary K. Schwartz, MD, director of Case CCC and vice dean for oncology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

As an expert in rare cancers and translational research, Schwartz has dedicated over 30 years to developing novel treatments for sarcomas and melanoma, the cancer Weinberger was diagnosed with 18 years ago. Finding a cure for cancer is a passion Schwartz has held since childhood, inspired by his parents' pursuit of the same goal. 

During Schwartz’s three-decade tenure at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Columbia University, his laboratory discoveries have been translated into life-saving treatments. His lab pioneered a promising combination therapy for a rare smooth-muscle cancer, where low-dose chemotherapy combined with a PARP inhibitor achieved exceptional results in clinical trials.

Since arriving at Case Western Reserve University and Case CCC in April 2023, Schwartz has led the successful renewal of the center's $25.5 million in National Cancer Institute funding, launched the CURE Rare Cancer Initiative to advance discoveries in rare cancer and cemented his dream of "impacting cancer in a major way across the community." This impact extends beyond research, as he provides patient care at both Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals and works to engage members of the cancer community.

Schwartz’s leadership inspired the Weinbergers to expand their generosity to Case Western Reserve in hopes that their gift "will be the start of more philanthropy for the Cancer Center," Peter Weinberger said.

For Schwartz, the gift allows him to remain laser-focused on solving medicine's most elusive challenges.

"We're going to continue to explore, develop treatments for, and cure cancer,” he said. “That's what I'm here to do."