A Donor’s Legacy Creates a Brighter Tomorrow

Errol M. Cook, alongside his devoted wife, Gladys, served the Foundation as a Chair and member of the Board of Directors and supporter for more than 20 years. He worked closely with the Foundation’s leadership and Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) members to ensure that the Foundation advanced the best science and funded cutting-edge cancer research.

As one of the first recipients of a stem cell transplant, Errol knew that today’s investment in research could turn into tomorrow’s treatments for patients. The Foundation funded tens of millions of dollars in biomedical research during his dual tenures as Chair of the Board of Directors, using his vast professional experience as a global leader in accounting and private equity. Errol dedicated himself to the Foundation with unwavering commitment and determination until his passing in December 2022.

“Errol was a visionary, and his passion for our community and steadfast dedication played a crucial role in advancing our mission,” said Meghan Gutierrez, CEO of the Lymphoma Research Foundation. “Errol’s contributions will have a lasting impact on the Foundation, and his legacy continues to inspire us.”

In memory and recognition of Errol’s life and his countless contributions to the Foundation, his family and friends joined together to make an investment in the next generation of lymphoma researchers, and the Foundation established the Errol M. Cook Memorial Scholar. As part of the Foundation’s Lymphoma Scientific Research Mentoring Program (LSRMP), a first-of-its-kind education and mentoring program for early-career scientists who wish to focus their careers on lymphoma research, the Cook Scholar will provide critical support to scientists and emerging leaders in the field of cancer research. This investment in early-career scientists preserves and grows a pipeline of lymphoma research for decades to come, with the Foundation fueling the research that one day will lead to a cure.

“My husband believed deeply in the power of compassion and giving back. Having a Scholar established in his memory is a testament to his enduring legacy and passion for helping others,” said Gladys Cook. “I am grateful to our family and friends who helped make this possible and am proud to see Errol’s spirit continue to make a difference.”

Through the generosity of more than 100 donors, funds have been raised to support and establish the Errol M. Cook Memorial Scholar grant program. Andrew Jallouk, MD, PhD, of Vanderbilt University, was named the inaugural Errol M. Cook Memorial Scholar in 2023. His Foundation research project is aimed at studying immune rejections to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and strategies to prevent it from happening. “In so doing, I hope that my project will help to reduce cost and improve accessibility to life-saving CAR T-cell treatments for patients with lymphoma,” explains Dr. Jallouk.

The second Errol M. Cook Memorial Scholar was given to Jordan Goldstein, MD, of Stanford University in 2024. Using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a marker of residual disease, Dr. Goldstein is evaluating the efficacy and safety of CAR T after first-line chemoimmunotherapy in patients with persistent disease who are more likely to relapse.

The Lymphoma Research Foundation continues to raise gifts in Errol’s memory, and the family hopes it can continue to grow over time.