Post by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Last week, a crowd gathered by the flag poles outside our Yawkey Center to raise the Pride flag and reaffirm our commitment to supporting and serving the LGBTQ+ community. For years, this annual celebration has represented an opportunity to celebrate our inclusive community and highlight the ongoing work to provide compassionate care to all patients. Organized by the Office of Inclusion and Engagement and the LGBTQ+ & Friends Employee Resource Group, this year’s flag raising was accompanied by remarks from leaders and advocates who lauded our commitment to equitable cancer care. “As we gather together beneath this flag, we do so not only to celebrate LGBTQ+ community and visibility, but to reflect on the kind of institution and the kind of world we want to help create for one another,” Vice President of Inclusion and Engagement Ian Matthew-Clayton said. From ongoing research into LGBTQ+ cancer disparities to culturally competent care in the clinic and support for staff who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, inclusion and equity is a part of every aspect of our approach to cancer care. These efforts are crucial because the LGBTQ+ community continues to face systemic challenges in various spheres, including healthcare. Representing the next generation of physicians, Harvard University pre-med student Chance Bonfanti reflected on his experiences as a volunteer here. They “made me certain of the kind of physician I want to be,” he said. “A doctor who listens, not just to symptoms but to people, and who understands that every patient is carrying a whole life with them that deserves to be honored. Dana-Farber is where I learned that, and I will carry it with me into medical school and beyond.”

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