22 Sep With Heffter’s support the first study participant has successfully completed psilocybin-assisted therapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School

August 30, 2022 

Dear Dr. Greer, 

It is my pleasure to thank you for the Heffter Research Institute’s recent gift of $138,405 to support Dr. Yvan Beaussant’s PATH study for patients receiving hospice care. Thanks to your ongoing support, the first PATH study participant has successfully completed psilocybin-assisted therapy, and it was so touching to read his nurse’s account of how grateful he felt to be able to take part in this research and how he hopes it will benefit others. 

Throughout Dana-Farber’s 75-year history, we have always been a hope-filled place, and this is because of donors like Heffter. Funding like yours empowers our researchers and clinicians to test their most promising ideas while continuing to serve the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of their patients, and our gratitude cannot be overstated. 

I am also delighted to welcome the Heffter Research Institute into Dana-Farber’s Benacerraf Society, which celebrates donors who have made single commitments of $100,000 or more. It is named for Dana-Farber’s late President, Dr. Baruj Benacerraf, a Nobel Laureate who transformed our basic understanding of how the body fights disease. The Heffter Research Institute’s five-year membership in the Benacerraf Society includes invitations to exclusive events and convenings. 

Sincerely, 

Melany N. Duval