$5.45M Gift Launches Cancer Research Fellowship Fund

The next generation of cancer researchers just got a massive boost toward discovering tomorrow's treatments and cures.

The Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation announced a $5.45 million commitment to establish a new postdoctoral fellowship fund with the American Cancer Society. The six-year program will support at least 28 promising young scientists during one of the most critical phases of their research careers.

The American Cancer Society will add another $1.7 million to the initiative, bringing the total investment to more than $7.1 million. Fellows won't just receive funding. They'll gain access to mentorship from leading scientists, join a national network of researchers, and receive professional development that prepares them to lead independent research.

The Wilmington, Delaware foundation has been quietly transforming cancer research since 2019. Over seven years, it has committed more than $16 million in grants to support innovative science and early-career researchers.

One of the partnership's biggest wins is the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium, a first-of-its-kind collaboration bringing together top researchers from across the country. These scientists are tackling cancer stem cells, which experts believe contribute to why some cancers resist treatment, come back after remission, or spread to other parts of the body.

In just four years, consortium investigators have made discoveries across multiple cancer types, launched new collaborations, secured additional funding, and identified promising targets for better treatments.

The Ripple Effect

Supporting young scientists creates waves that extend far beyond the lab. When talented researchers get the resources and guidance they need early in their careers, they can dedicate themselves to the breakthroughs that patients and families desperately need.

William J. Martin, president of the Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation, put it simply: "Scientific breakthroughs begin with people." By investing in early-career researchers, the foundation is helping create the discoveries, treatments, and cures that could save countless lives.

The foundation's impact earned it the American Cancer Society's Philanthropic Partner of the Year Award in March 2026. The honor recognizes partners whose vision and generosity have significantly advanced the fight against cancer.

Shane Jacobson, CEO of the American Cancer Society, emphasized that this latest gift supports both the science and the scientists. "By investing in the next generation of scientific leaders, we're helping accelerate progress for people facing cancer," he said.

Every fellow supported through this fund represents hope for patients waiting for better treatments, families seeking answers, and communities touched by cancer.