Landmark Merger Launches First Institute Dedicated to Aging and Cancer
The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research (MFCR) and the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) have announced a merger to create the Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging & Cancer, the first institute in the world devoted exclusively to studying how aging biology influences cancer risk, according to the press release.
The Waxman Institute will operate as a subsidiary of MFCR and build on SWCRF’s 50-year research legacy. Its mission is to serve as a global hub for collaboration, uniting scientists to develop new strategies for cancer prevention, earlier detection, and more effective treatments. The institute will award $15 million in new grant funding over the next three years, targeting both age-related cancers and the rising incidence of early-onset cancers.
The global population over 50 is expected to double by 2050, dramatically increasing the number of people at higher risk for cancer. At the same time, early-onset cancers are also on the rise. Together, these trends underscore the urgency of understanding the biological mechanisms that link aging and cancer in order to improve prevention, enable earlier detection, and develop more effective and less toxic treatments.
“We have long recognized the importance of research exploring the biology of aging and cancer,” said Ryan Schoenfeld, PhD, CEO of MFCR. “The launch of the Waxman Institute allows us to accelerate that work. By combining world-class expertise, fresh talent across disciplines, and a shared ambition to drive breakthroughs, we can reshape the future of cancer research in this critical area at a time when funding needs are greater than ever.”
Samuel Waxman, MD, founder and CEO of SWCRF and now Director of the Waxman Institute, added, “Together, the Waxman Institute and The Mark Foundation will address the urgent funding gap in age-related cancer research, pushing this important area of study forward.”
The two organizations have collaborated since 2022, co-hosting scientific workshops and jointly funding research. In 2024, they awarded $1.5 million to multi-institutional teams studying the aging–cancer connection. To date, MFCR has awarded more than $275 million in cancer research grants globally, while SWCRF has distributed more than $120 million.
As highlighted in The New York Times, combining two leading foundations into the Waxman Institute is an unusual but strategic move reflecting the need for bold efforts in today’s research climate. Philanthropic mergers this scale remain rare, and experts say that as cancer risk rises with age, collaborative platforms like this one will be crucial for driving new discoveries, especially in areas where federal funding cannot keep pace with patient needs.
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