Frank and Denise Quattrone Foundation Donates $1 Million to Launch Prostate Cancer Program

The Frank and Denise Quattrone Foundation has invested $1 million to launch Canary Foundation’s new program for prostate cancer. "Our gift is in memory of my father, Frank Quattrone, who passed away from prostate cancer 25 years ago at age 59," says Frank Quattrone. "Though we know more about this cancer than we did 10 years ago, it is still very much a mystery. Denise and I are excited about Canary's focus on early detection and pleased to have our foundation invest in a research project that will help determine lethal from nonlethal prostate cancer."

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, claiming nearly 30,000 lives per year in the United States alone. About 200,000 men, many of whom have a nonlethal form of the disease, are diagnosed annually. The current lack of diagnostic tools to distinguish between lethal and nonlethal prostate cancers, however, means that many thousands of men nationwide are receiving radical treatments they do not need. In fact, studies suggest that only a small percentage of those who undergo a radical prostatectomy are actually helped by it - the rest would not have died of their cancer. The gift from the Quattrone Foundation will help make this important distinction.

"We make decisions as a family about where the funds from our foundation will go," notes Denise Quattrone. "We decided that this project is vital, and the results will help individuals and families who struggle with this disease. It comes down to this: This information will save lives and help focus treatment where it is needed."

The first installment of the gift was announced at Canary Foundation’s Cabana Gala on July 28.

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