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About Us

Lazarex Cancer Foundation Founder, Dana Dornsife, first became involved in cancer patient advocacy in 2003 when her brother-in-law, Mike Miller, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Your donation makes what we do possible.

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History

Dana Dornsife first became involved in cancer patient advocacy in 2003 when her brother-in-law, Mike Miller, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Mike and his wife Erin had three children, the youngest of whom was only four years old. Dana searched for options for Mike that would give their family some additional time together and found a clinical trial. Mike participated in the clinical trial, responded well and lived long enough to help his sons prepare for their future and for his daughter to remember him. 

In 2006 Dana founded Lazarex Cancer Foundation. Since then, Lazarex has fought tirelessly for patient advocacy and the expansion of available resources on behalf of those cancer patients who have been told they have run out of medical options and there is no hope left.

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“We have watched pain-ridden, emaciated souls return to fulfilled lives with family, friends, passion and love. There are people with us today who would not be here without our efforts because… hope breeds possibility.”

– Dana Dornsife

Mission

At Lazarex Cancer Foundation, we strive to improve cancer health outcomes, FDA cancer clinical trial diversity and enrollment, and patient access to care by providing assistance with clinical trial navigation, reimbursing trial related travel costs, and partnering with at-risk communities to mobilize resources.

Vision

The vision of Lazarex Cancer Foundation is that everyone affected by cancer will have hope, dignity, support and the most advanced treatments made available to them at all stages of their journey.

What We Do

At Lazarex Cancer Foundation we improve the outcome of cancer care, giving hope, dignity and life to advanced stage cancer patients and the medically underserved by providing assistance with costs for FDA clinical trial participation, identification of clinical trial options, community outreach and engagement. We provide resources for cancer patients who have been told they have no other options, but who are not yet done with their journey in life and refuse to give up.

  • We help patients of all ages and walks of life, with all forms of cancer.
  • We help patients take advantage of medical breakthroughs today, because they may not have a tomorrow.
  • We believe that the size of a patient’s bank account should not stand between them and the choices they make or the treatments they need.
  • We present clinical trials as an alternative to hospice care for those who want to remain engaged in their fight against cancer.
  • We aspire to improve cancer survival rates through screenings and early detection, with a focus on the medically underserved to address health disparities.

Meet our VIPs (Very Important Patients)

“So many dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”

– Christopher Reeve

Why Lazarex? What Makes Us Unique?

Lazarex is the only 501(c)(3) public charity that does what we do. We focus on helping patients with all types of cancer, of all ages, from all walks of life. We promote early stage diagnosis to increase survival, especially for the medically underserved. We remove the barriers to clinical trial participation for advanced stage patients seeking life through FDA clinical trials. For these patients Lazarex is literally their last line of defense.

Non-Discrimination Policy: Patient Services:

Lazarex Cancer Foundation is committed to the principles of equal access to services. Lazarex prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender expression, marital, familial, or parental status, religion, genetic information, military status, political beliefs, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal law, in connection with its programs and activities. This policy extends to all personnel decisions, terms and conditions of employment, vendor contracts, and the provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and patients.

LCF Statement on Diversity and Racial Equity 

The escalating climate of intolerance and racism toward the Black community, highlighted by the very public and unjustified killing of George Floyd and many others has catalyzed people of all colors worldwide to address the undeniable deep roots of racism in our society. Many of us are getting an education like no other, leaving no doubt that racial injustice is not a black or brown problem, it is a problem that belongs to all of us.  

“Until we are all free, we are none of us free.” 

Emma Lazarus 

At Lazarex Cancer Foundation we continue our work to address systemic racism in the healthcare system by highlighting the barriers that perpetuate it and working with stakeholders to dismantle them. We acknowledge that racial equity is not yet a reality. It is ingrained in our mission to fight for equitable access to quality cancer healthcare for all people, with a focus on minorities and the medically underserved. We stand in support of the Black community and will continue to do our part to fight for racial justice. 

While cancer does not discriminate, Black, Asian, Latinx, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans face disproportionately higher rates of mortality from cancers that could be survived when diagnosed and treated early. But racism, poverty, low wages, language, cultural barriers, and lack of access to good nutrition are barriers to wellness, cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This is fundamentally and morally wrong. 

Lazarex Cancer Foundation will remain steadfast to our mission to help cancer patients participate in FDA therapeutic clinical trials and undergo a thoughtful, thorough self-examination to identify where we can do more to create an environment of equity within our organization, our relationships, and the services we provide. We will hold ourselves accountable and look forward to sharing our findings and plan with you.