OUR FOUNDING
In 1946, the iconic sportswriter and journalist Damon Runyon passed away from throat cancer. His legacy lives on in his memorable stories, which have been transformed into the Broadway hit Guys and Dolls. His good friend, famed radio broadcaster Walter Winchell, took to the airwaves shortly after Runyon’s death to implore “Mr. and Mrs. America” to send anything they could spare to fight cancer.
It’s time we tried to do something to fight this terrible disease. We must fight back, and together we can do it. Won’t you send me a penny, a nickel, a dime, or a dollar? All of your money will go directly to the cancer fighters, in Damon Runyon’s name.
Walter Winchell
Donations poured in from across the nation in such great numbers that Winchell was able to establish the “Damon Runyon Cancer Memorial Fund.” He promised to use its coffers to support the most promising cancer scientists across the nation. With the help of celebrity supporters like Marlene Dietrich, Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, Winchell led the organization’s fundraising until his own death from cancer in 1972.
OUR FUTURE
Since our founding in 1946, in partnership with donors across the nation, we have invested nearly $450 million and funded nearly 4,000 scientists. Damon Runyon cancer researchers have made extraordinary breakthroughs in every area of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. To this day, we support the next generation of leaders: emerging talent with unique insights, drive, and boundless vision. We will not stop until we have the tools to prevent or cure all cancers.
