The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a product of the collaboration between Sidney Farber, MD and philanthropist Charles A. Dana.

In 1947, Farber founded the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation which aimed not just to find a cure and preventive measures for cancer that afflicts children, but to provide children who suffer from cancer with the advanced and compassionate treatments they deserve. In 1969, the foundation expanded its reach to include research and treatment for cancer in people of all ages. In 1974, the foundation was renamed to the Sidney Farber Cancer Center in honor of its founder Dr. Farber.

The foundation’s biggest contributor was the Charles A. Dana Foundation. Dana’s help in finding cures and preventive treatments was recognized by the foundation in 1983 when it was renamed again to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Today, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is also a federally designated center for AIDS Research and is also a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.