A Lasting Impact

 

Established through a generous gift, the Maurice Campbell Initiative at MSK Kids honors the life of Maurice “Mo” Campbell, II and advances leading-edge research and novel treatments for people with desmoplastic small round cell tumors.  

In his most challenging moments, Maurice “Mo” Campbell, II, prioritized others. Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer known as desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT) on his 15th birthday, Mo persevered through four and a half years of intensive treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). 

“Mo was not only smart, strong, and beloved but also remarkably compassionate,” reflects Larry Robbins, the founder and CEO of Glenview Capital Management, a close family friend, and Mo’s hockey coach for the nationally ranked 15U New Jersey Avalanche. “While the hockey team aimed to uplift Mo’s spirits, he often ended up providing support to his peers and all of us. Despite the challenges, Mo continued to light up the room with his smile, undiminished by cancer. While there were certainly tough times, he selflessly dedicated himself to caring for others.” 

DSRCT is a type of sarcoma, a group of cancers that arise in the bones and soft tissues, and most commonly develops in the belly or pelvis of adolescent boys. It is extremely rare, affecting fewer than 100 young people in the United States each year, and is difficult to cure. MSK was the first to characterize DSRCT nearly 35 years ago, and now we see more patients with this disease than any other hospital in the world. Mo’s parents, Maurice and Janet, and his sister, Grace, chose MSK for his treatment due to our extensive history in rare cancer research and compassionate care. 

“Maurice confronted the daunting challenge of this formidable cancer with a disheartening survival rate. Regardless of the overwhelming odds, the remarkable medical team at MSK defied our expectations, extending his life by over four years,” Janet says. “Throughout this journey, we formed a deeply connected relationship with his primary physician, the nurses, and staff, who consistently demonstrated exceptional care and compassion. Their collective kindness, empathy, and professionalism had a profound impact on us.” 

Mo underwent numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and investigational treatments, a regimen that controlled the cancer for a few years. However, hope that Mo would overcome DSRCT faded in 2022 when his condition deteriorated. On December 20, 2022, at 19 years old, Mo passed away. 

In his final wishes, Mo expressed to Larry a deep concern for his sister’s well-being and urged action against DSRCT, believing that no child should endure the suffering caused by cancer. In tribute to Mo and his family and as a continuation of their family’s philanthropic partnership with MSK, Larry and his wife, Sarahmay, made a generous $5 million gift to create the Maurice Campbell Initiative at MSK Kids to advance leading-edge research and uncover more effective therapies for young people with DSRCT.  

A Gift of Hope 

DSRCT is an orphan disease, a term applied to illnesses that are found in a small number of people and are often overlooked by the pharmaceutical industry. Philanthropic gifts are a vital source of funding for researchers working to make meaningful advancements for people facing these conditions.  

“For an orphan disease like DSRCT, for which there is limited understanding, poor outcomes among patients, and inadequate industry partnership, philanthropy plays a key role in furthering progress,” explains MSK pediatric oncologist Emily Slotkin, MD, Mo’s doctor and an expert in DSRCT treatment and research. “The Maurice Campbell Initiative at MSK Kids gives us the flexibility to pursue the research that we think is most important and will generate the most promising results. MSK is known for being a center of excellence for DSRCT, and this effort will further solidify and strengthen that position.”  

The initiative aims to advance laboratory research to identify new drug targets, improve current treatments to better control the disease, and expand clinical trials to test novel therapies. MSK currently has three open clinical trials specific to DSRCT, the most in the world.   

“By significantly expanding preclinical projects in the lab, my hope is to open additional clinical trials focused on DSRCT at MSK in the next five years,” Dr. Slotkin says. “People with DSRCT face multiple hurdles, but more research will teach us how to overcome them and potentially lead to treatments that prolong life or cure disease. This gift brings a lot of hope to the next generation of patients.” 

Embracing Mo’s Legacy 

Dr. Slotkin remembers Mo as a bright, capable, mature, and driven teenager who earned excellent grades throughout high school at Horace Mann School and at the University of Pennsylvania, all while receiving intensive cancer treatment. He contributed as a writer and later as an editor for The Record, Horace Mann’s long-standing weekly newspaper, and as a staff writer in college for The Daily Pennsylvanian. Mo’s passions extended beyond academics; his zest for life was evident in his love for food, fashion, and socializing with family and friends. His infectious enthusiasm even led Dr. Slotkin to share a dance with him on TikTok, creating cherished memories that reflect Mo’s vibrant spirit and genuine connection with those around him. 

“Mo was an incredible person who was remarkably patient, understanding, and a true partner in his care despite the scale of our obstacles,” Dr. Slotkin says. “Mo and his family are extremely beloved by us, and his memory provides reason and strength for us to continue our work for DSRCT.”  

Larry echoed Dr. Slotkin’s recollections of Mo: “If you think about the plight Mo went through, simply the demands on his energy, time, and mental health, the fact that his grades went up, not down, is remarkable. Mo made a comment to me, ‘In this time of turmoil, the only thing I can control is my mind, which is not affected by cancer.’ What an amazing sentiment and gift. His teammates and peers will have that lesson with them forever. When they encounter adversity, they can focus on the things they can control and build their way to success, even if it’s not on the path they expected.”  

The Maurice Campbell Initiative at MSK Kids embodies Mo’s compassion for others and his unwavering determination to persevere against all odds. United in their mission, the Campbell family believes that if he were still with us today, he would tirelessly advocate, fundraise, and provide comfort to those facing DSRCT and other rare cancers. They are leveraging their collective voice to raise awareness about DSRCT, aiming to inspire others to contribute, expedite research efforts, and ultimately, find a cure. 

Grace quoted Maya Angelou when she eulogized her brother at a ceremony celebrating his life: “‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I can honestly say that my brother made his friends and family and anyone he touched feel like they were loved and special. My brother will forever be my favorite person. Saying goodbye to him was never the way that things were supposed to be, but here we are — and for him, we go on.”  

The Campbell family finds strength and daily support in leaning on one another, and they are committed to fulfilling Mo’s legacy. They will continue to invest their time and effort into this initiative, and encourage others to join them and raise funds to advance DSRCT research at MSK. Please consider honoring Mo’s wishes for lasting impact by making a donation here.