Invest in What You Love
FEATURE STORY
BURCHENAL from page 13
The drug soon received FDA approval, marking the beginning of a new era in pediatric cancer care. Today 6-MP is still used to treat pediatric leukemia patients at Children ' s Colorado and around the world.
But Dr. Burchenal ' s influence extended far beyond leukemia. He contributed to treatments for Burkitt’ s lymphoma, collaborated internationally and played a formative role in what became the national“ War on Cancer,” culminating in the 1971 National Cancer Act.
Inspired by his life’ s work, his daughter, Jody Nycum, and her husband Scott chose to honor him by establishing the Dr. Joseph Burchenal Endowed Fund for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’ s Colorado.
Growing up, I witnessed firsthand my father’ s passion for science and his dedication to finding a cure for pediatric cancers. He talked with us about his research and his hopes for the future; those were regular dinner conversations. We established this endowment in my father ' s name to honor his pioneering work. It will support the remarkable oncology team at Children ' s Colorado, led by Dr. Lia Gore, that is making life-changing strides with the targeted therapies and innovative treatments that my father dreamed about.”
– JODY NYCUM, Donor and Dr. Joseph Burchenal ' s daughter
16 CHANGEMAKERS
Stewards of Our Mission: Physicians Give to Advance Discovery
Some of the most powerful philanthropy comes from those closest to the work: physician-scientists. Doctors and researchers understand the risks, setbacks and long timelines inherent in discovery. When they make a gift, it is with a belief in Children’ s Colorado, in their colleagues, in emerging ideas and in the people who will carry their life’ s work into the future.
Invest in What You Love
For some physicians, like pioneering orthopedic surgeon Robert
Eilert, MD, confidence in the hospital’ s mission means investing personally in the departments and disciplines they helped build, ensuring that innovation, mentorship and discovery continue long after their own careers have ended.
As such, a newly established endowed chair reflecting Dr. Eilert’ s vision is more than a tribute to his groundbreaking leadership; it is a testament to these ideas and the collective commitments by doctors to the children and families we serve. Dr. Eilert built the Children’ s Colorado Orthopedics Institute from the ground up, shaping its culture with the same generosity and gentleness he brought to every patient encounter.
Colleague Mark Erickson, MD, described Dr. Eilert as a towering figure with giant hands who could delicately cast a newborn’ s clubfoot with just a few fingers, calming anxious families with a steady presence and a heart“ as big as a lion.” That spirit— part trailblazer, part healer, part quiet philanthropist— continues through the A painting by Dr. Eilert depicting the joyful moment a child’ s cast comes off, celebrating the compassion and expertise of orthopedic specialists at Children’ s Colorado.