The New York City-based Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Foundation has pledged $8 million to create a new institute of hematology and medical oncology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, also in New York City.

The Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology will be dedicated to the efficient translation of laboratory discoveries into treatment strategies for patients with cancer and blood disorders. Given as part of the college's recently completed $750 million capital campaign, the gift will fund the renovation of the hematology and medical oncology laboratories, the acquisition of new equipment for its tissue bank, and the recruitment of up to eight new faculty members with expertise in translational and clinical research. It will also support expansion into key research areas, including solid tumor biology, cancer genomics, and proteomics.

"Imagine getting vaccinated against cancer," said Dr. Barbara Hempstead, co-chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the O. Wayne Isom Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell, and attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "Imagine having a cancer treatment strategy tailor-fit to your needs. Imagine scientists pinpointing cancer markers in order to prevent the development of disease. This gift helps put this goal and many others within reach."