In Memoriam: jack whelan, Alliance patient advocate

Jack Whelan, a research advocate, patient advocate and legislative advocate, died November 16. He was 69. Mr. Whelan served as an Alliance Patient Advocate for lymphoma cancer research since 2015. A charismatic professional speaker, he shared his views on the importance of cancer research, education, and care, as well as the importance of biomedical research funding, at various venues, including cancer institutions, pharmaceutical companies, life sciences events, and Capitol Hill. He was active in myriad organizations, including the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the International Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He was also a fundraiser and spokesperson for the Jimmy Fund and the Boston Red Sox on behalf of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DCFI). Mr. Whelan was diagnosed with Waldenström macroglobulinemia, a rare and incurable type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in 2007. When his disease did not respond to traditional chemotherapy treatment, he enrolled in several clinical trials at DFCI. After his diagnosis, he retired from his job as an IT research analyst at an institutional investment firm in order to devote his time to advocating for cancer research on behalf of patients and to educating people about the importance of participation in clinical trials. When he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in 2016, he continued his vigorous advocacy efforts. Earlier this year, he received the AACR Distinguished Public Service Award.

 

 

For other articles in the December issue of the Alliance E-News newsletter, see below.