A Personal Inspiration for Support of Cancer Research

Former Dean Paul Cleary knows well the tremendous potential of the cancer research underway at the Yale School of Public Health, in addition to the terrible toll that cancer continues to take.

Cleary lost his wife, Cynthia Barnett, to the disease. In her memory, he established a fund that will support a range of potentially groundbreaking research being conducted at Yale and help others avoid a similar circumstance.

“Cynthia and I talked about the best way to remember her. She thought that the most important thing she could do is help prevent others from suffering from breast cancer the way she had,” Cleary said.

The Cynthia Barnett Cancer Prevention Research Fund was further bolstered by support from more than 140 donors. The fund will provide support for faculty and student research in cancer prevention.

“Although Cynthia was extremely appreciative of the wonderful care that she received at the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, she of course would have preferred that she never had to use their excellent services,” Cleary said. “She wanted to establish a fund to foster research into preventing rather than dealing with the consequences of cancer.”