Greenberg family endowment boosts fight against prostate cancer

Cancer has been particularly devastating for the Greenberg family, who have lost many family members to this deadly disease. Mark Greenberg passed away from prostate cancer in 2014. His son, Mark S. Greenberg Jr., was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015.

“Our intent is to support Dr. Oliver Sartor in his mission to find a cure for this disease. Dr. Sartor has led us in this fight and has provided guidance and support along the way,” said Mark Greenberg Jr.

As a result, Mark Greenberg’s family — Barbara Greenberg, Jennifer and Mark Greenberg Jr., Diana and Sean Greenberg, and Lauren and Devin Wakeman — have established the Mark S. Greenberg Endowment for the Cure of Prostate Cancer at Tulane University.

“Cancer does not discriminate, and unfortunately, has shown little mercy on the Greenberg/Wakeman family,” Barbara Greenberg said. “Through the BRCA 1 and CHEK2 genetic mutations, my children face a genetic war against cancer.”

Lauren Wakeman said, “Thanks to research, however, we have gained the knowledge and guidance to take the needed preventative measures to protect ourselves. Still, more research and clinical studies are essential.”

The Greenberg Endowment will support the pioneering research of Oliver Sartor, MD, medical director of Tulane Cancer Center and C.E., and Bernadine Laborde, Professor of Cancer Research at Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Sartor leads Tulane’s top-ranked Prostate Cancer Research Program and is a medical oncologist interested in prostate cancer from both a basic research and clinical perspective. His current research includes clinical trials in advanced prostate cancer with novel drugs and innovative combinations of drugs.

“Only with research can we improve the care for those with prostate cancer,” Sartor said. “I am truly grateful to the Greenberg family for their incredible generosity. It is because of support like theirs that I am confident that we will continue to make progress that will advance our understanding of this disease.”