Pancreatic cancer presents a formidable challenge, with a devastatingly low five-year survival rate of just 13% and its status as the third leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute (SGPCRI) is addressing this critical need with a pioneering new research model designed to accelerate progress against the disease.
In September 2024, entrepreneurs and philanthropists A. Emmet Stephenson Jr. and Tessa Stephenson Brand, made a transformative $150 million donation to City of Hope® to accelerate pancreatic cancer research. This extraordinary investment honors the legacy of Toni Stephenson—a devoted wife and mother who, after surviving lymphoma, tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020. Emmet met Toni in kindergarten, and together they shared nearly 53 years of joyful marriage.
Determined to change the future of pancreatic cancer, the Stephensons partnered with City of Hope®—one of the nation’s top cancer research and treatment institutions—to establish the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute (SGPCRI). Working with SGPCRI leadership and the Stephenson Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB), they are advancing groundbreaking research and treatments to make a lasting impact in the fight against this disease.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most urgent and formidable challenges in oncology. With a devastatingly low five-year survival rate of just 13%, it is the third leading cause of cancer — related deaths globally, taking an enormous toll on individuals and families. This aggressive cancer is exceptionally difficult to detect early and remains resistant to many advanced therapies, making it one of the deadliest and most complex types of cancer. Despite its lethality, pancreatic cancer research is chronically underfunded and often fragmented, hindering the progress needed to improve outcomes and save lives. There is an immediate and critical need for innovative, collaborative and well-funded efforts to tackle this disease.
SGPCRI is redefining the research landscape with a groundbreaking model designed for agility and rapid progress. The pillars of SGPCRI include the Stephenson Global Prize, the Stephenson Global Scholar Grants and the annual Stephenson Pancreatic Cancer Symposium.
The Stephenson Global Prize is an annual award bestowed upon an individual or team whose groundbreaking contributions have propelled pancreatic cancer research closer to its ultimate goal of overcoming the disease. This prestigious honor not only recognizes exceptional achievements but also serves to amplify awareness within the scientific community and among those impacted by pancreatic cancer. By shining a spotlight on these advancements, the Global Prize aims to inspire greater visibility, collaboration and support in the collective fight to eradicate this devastating disease.
Through its prestigious Stephenson Global Scholar Grants, SGPCRI empowers investigators to pursue bold and innovative ideas, providing substantial funding to fuel transformative research. By cutting through bureaucracy and eliminating red tape, SGPCRI creates an environment that encourages true innovation and courageous risk-taking. This pioneering approach accelerates discoveries with the potential to revolutionize pancreatic cancer treatment and detection, ultimately driving significant improvements in survival rates and patient outcomes.
Each year, SGPCRI hosts the annual Stephenson Pancreatic Cancer Symposium, a premier event that honors the recipients of the prestigious Stephenson Global Prize. This symposium serves as a vital platform for uniting the pancreatic cancer research community, showcasing breakthroughs achieved through the transformative Stephenson Global Scholar Grants and fostering collaboration to accelerate progress in the fight against this devastating disease.
The Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute logo is a powerful representation of the institute’s mission and values. At its core, the design features a yellow rose, a tribute to Toni Stephenson’s favorite flower, symbolizing hope and remembrance.
The purple ribbon represents the fight against pancreatic cancer, while the gold accents reflect the global effort to bring together the brightest minds in research and innovation.
The globe within the logo underscores the institute’s commitment to worldwide collaboration in advancing groundbreaking solutions to detect, treat, and ultimately defeat pancreatic cancer.