Research giant Judah Folkman dies
By Scott Allen, Globe Staff
Dr. Judah Folkman, a world famous cancer researcher whose insights led to a whole new field of medicine, knew that his relentless pursuit of ideas could wear people out. For 36 years, sometimes in the face of deep skepticism, the renowned Children's Hospital Boston researcher stuck by his belief that tumors could be stopped by cutting off the blood supply they need to grow -- even when his experiments sometimes fizzled.
"If your idea succeeds, everybody says you're persistent," Dr. Folkman liked to joke. "If it doesn't succeed, you're stubborn."
Dr. Folkman, 74, collapsed and died Monday at Denver International Airport while he was awaiting a flight to Vancouver for a medical conference. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
Yesterday, friends and colleagues remembered Moses Judah Folkman as one of the world's most brilliant -- and persistent -- medical researchers, a man whose work has spawned 10 new cancer drugs and launched dozens more into various stages of human testing. Along the way, Dr. Folkman's research into the role of blood vessels in fostering disease also produced breakthrough treatments for a leading cause of blindness. He also made the pivotal discovery in the development of a form of birth control that is implanted under the woman's skin.
"He was indefatigable and unquenchable. There's no such thing in his lexicon as a defeat. It's only a learning point," said Dr. David Nathan, the former president of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute who often debated cancer ideas with Dr. Folkman when Nathan was chief of medicine at Children's. "There are very few Roman candles like him."
Dr. Folkman will also be remembered for his extraordinary work as a mentor to the next generation of scientists, training top researchers such as tissue engineering pioneer Robert Langer, now of MIT, who was drawn to Dr. Folkman's lab for the chance to work with a man who seemed to overflow with ideas and energy. In recent months, Dr. Folkman had been campaigning for more generous federal financial support of young researchers, such as the 120 working with him, complaining in one of his last interviews that the "superstars" of tomorrow are being driven from the field by federal budget cuts.
At his lab yesterday, "everyone, I think, felt they had lost a parent," said Children's Chief Scientific Officer Bruce Zetter, himself a cancer researcher trained in Dr. Folkman's lab. "You trusted him. You respected his judgment. You felt he had your best interests at heart and, at the same time, you're dealing with one of the greatest minds in the country."
Dr. Folkman deliberately shielded his wife Paula and their two daughters from the limelight that often followed him -- he was heralded, somewhat hyperbolically, as the man who would cure cancer on page one of the New York Times in 1998. But, yesterday, Dr. Folkman's widow said she had long since made peace with sharing her husband with the world and that she always knew where she stood in his eyes.
"We were married 47-and-a-half years and every single one of those years, every day, he told me he loved me," said Paula Folkman in an interview. "No one knows what a love story it was. And it was."
A self-confessed "science nerd" from the time he was small -- his mother Bessie Folkman read young Judah the biography of Isaac Newton as a bedtime story -- Dr. Folkman didn't care about fortune and fame. "He didn't know how to use an ATM, to tell you the truth," confessed his wife, who put money in her husband's wallet so that he could buy lunch.
Dr. Folkman did care passionately about ideas and pushing them as far as they could go, something he traced back to his childhood in Michigan and Ohio where his parents required the three Folkman children to talk at the dinner table about something new they had learned that day. Many years later, when Dr. Folkman became chief of surgery at Children's Hospital, he followed a similar approach, always pressing the surgeons to come up with new ideas.
"We would sit at a blackboard every week and he would say, 'Okay, what are your unsolved problems in clinical medicine right now and what can we do in the lab to figure them out?' " Dr. James Mandell recalled of the surgery department meetings Dr. Folkman ran in the late 1970s. Mandell, who considers Dr. Folkman a mentor, is now president of Children's Hospital.
Dr. Folkman's daughter Marjorie Folkman, of New York, said her father took the same brainstorming approach to raising children. "He would play games with us and point to things and say, 'What can we imagine that is? If it's not a tree, what else can it be?' " she said.
A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Medical School in 1957, Dr. Folkman trained as a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital before serving as a lieutenant in the Navy from 1960 to 1962. While stationed at the National Naval Medical Center in Maryland, Dr. Folkman and a colleague discovered that silicone rubber could be used to promote the gradual release of drugs below the skin, the basis of Norplant, the implantable birth control device.
Returning to Boston, Dr. Folkman went to work as a surgeon at Boston City Hospital where the legendary cancer researcher Sidney Farber, for whom the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute was named, discovered him. Though Dr. Folkman had little experience operating on children, Dr. Nathan recalled that Farber "moved heaven and earth" to recruit Dr. Folkman to work with him at Children's Hospital, even sending him to learn pediatric surgery from future Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop in Philadelphia.
But Dr. Folkman's free-thinking style went against the grain of conservative Boston medicine and his willingness to talk publicly about theories before they were proven made him a frequent target of criticism, especially after the 1971 publication of his first paper on the role of blood vessels in the growth of tumors. At the time, cancer specialists overwhelmingly focused on the use of surgery and toxic chemotherapy drugs to stop cancer's spread, and Dr. Folkman's idea of cutting off cancer's blood supply seemed peripheral to the war on cancer.
When Dr. Folkman's research made national headlines in 1972, colleagues accused him of offering people false hope about breakthroughs that had not yet occurred. In hindsight, Dr. Folkman agreed, but he never gave up trying to prove tumors would shrink if their blood supply dried up. Over time, Dr. Folkman's increasingly impressive results treating cancer in mice wore adversaries down, convincing many of them to join him in looking for compounds that could shut down the formation of blood vessels feeding tumors.
Finally, in 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first drug based on Dr. Folkman's research. Although Avastin was proven only to add a few months on average to the life expectancy of patients with advanced colon cancer, the drug added years to some patients' lives -- and without the sometimes debilitating side effects of chemotherapy. Today, more than 1,000 laboratories are experimenting with drugs that target a tumor's blood supply and 1.2 million patients have prescriptions for at least one of the 10 that have been approved.
Some cancer specialists have been disappointed that Avastin and other similar drugs, called angiogenesis inhibitors, haven't had a more dramatic impact, but Dr. Folkman wasn't one of them, pointing out that cancer is one of the most complex diseases known. In an interview with the Globe in November, Dr. Folkman conceded that it's much harder to cut off cancer's blood supply than he once believed.
"The ideas are simple, but getting them figured out is very complicated," Dr. Folkman said. "We never use the word 'cure' because it is far away." Instead, Dr. Folkman said, various angiogenesis inhibitors could be combined to keep tumors in check for the long term.
Dr. Folkman had more dramatic success against age-related macular degeneration, which causes blindness by destroying the central part of the retina. Angiogenesis inhibitors have shown such success in restoring vision that one patient recently gave $100,000 to Children's Hospital in gratitude, according to Robert Cooke, author of the 2001 biography, "Dr. Folkman's War."
Paula Folkman said the family plans funeral services for Sunday at Temple Israel in Boston, but the exact time had not been set yesterday. In addition to his wife and daughter, Dr. Folkman is survived by another daughter Laura Steuer of California, and one granddaughter.
Paula Folkman said Dr. Folkman's father, a rabbi, had once hoped his son would follow in his footsteps, but, when Judah made it clear he wanted to be a doctor, Jerome Folkman urged him to be "a rabbi-like doctor." Looking back, she said, "I think Judah accomplished exactly that."
Scott Allen can be reached at allen@globe.com.
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This quiet giant deserves all the humility and respect we can possibly muster. I have been on the commercial side of breast cancer detection and treatment for my entire career. I remember when Dr. Folkman was maliagned and generally disregarded. History proved him right. We met only once but he will have my respect forever.
My condolescences go out to Dr. Folkman's family and staff for their loss. I have had a similar feeling of great loss when Dr. Jeffrey Isner past away in 2001. I had worked as his assistant for 17 years prior to his sudden death.
It was an honor for me to fly to Boston in November 2007 to hear Dr. Folkman give the 2nd Annual isner Memorial Lecture at Tufts.
This was a truly great man, and this is a loss for all men.
Very sad to lose such a giant. He has made life better for so many people -- many his family be comforted.
Today is a sad day in the Boston medical community. The man was a gentle genius, a credit to his profession, and to mankind. If only we could all live by his example, the world would be a much, much better place.
Really a shame he never won Nobel prize.
my condolences to the folkman family on the loss of a true hero.
Dr. Folkman was a true pioneer who championed an entirely new approach to cancer therapy. His vision and focus will continue to shape the direction of new therapies for many years to come. A great loss to the medical community.
this is the type of person who should be paid millions of dollars. instead, the cry baby athletes and business fat cats make the big money for doing very little.
Dr. Folkman provided free medical care to a client of mine who could not receive the proper medical care here in Canada.
A great, kind and generous man.
A loss to humanity.
My condolences to his family.
My prayers are definitely there for him and his family. He was an amazing person. He has not only advanced science in many areas, but has trained a future generation of scientists that are having a tremendous impact. His legacy will live on for many years.
I had the honor of working with Dr. Folkman in the early 70s. He was my first boss. I am a success today due to what this great man taught me about medicine, life, and a work ethic surpassed by none. He had the most wonderful family who supported the intense and time-consuming work that was his passion. The planet has lost a great, great man. My heartfelt sympathies to his wife, children, and grandchildren. My his visions continue.
What a truly remarkable physician - a teacher par excellence, a scientist of the Nobel level, and a great friend. We have known Dr. Folkman since my student and resident days in Boston. He always had time to stop and say hello - he was a true gentleman. The world is better off because of his monumental work and vision. I trust that he inspired many of his students and colleagues to carry on in this great tradition. A son of Ohio he will be missed. God Bless.
My condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr Judah Folkman. When it comes to calling people "hero," I'd much rather attach that accolade to Dr Folkman than to a sports figure or pop star. Thousands of people are alive longer than they would have been, thanks to the research of this brilliant man. It would be a real tribute to this great, great man if researchers continue the work he started.
Dr. Folkman's death is a truly unexpected and sad loss for the world's medical community and to his family and friends. Dr. Folkman's work inspired me to enter medical research as a medical student, and in part led me to Boston to continue medical training. My heart and prayers are with his family.
As a long time nurse at Children's Hospital, I knew Dr. Folkman from his very first day. He had such an incredible combination of heart and brains. Anyone who knew him has a million anecdotes of his kindness to others. I had so hoped he would win a Nobel prize.
Our condolences to Dr Folkman's family.
We had the priviledge to work with Dr. Folkman and his lab in the last few years and know his humble personality and his unmeasurable knowledge and vision.
A great loss to science, humanity and all of us.
Dr. Folkman was one of my scientific heroes. It was at the height of optimism about antiangiogenic therapies in the late 1990s that I found myself becoming interested in his work. Ultimately, I ended up studying tumor angiogenesis and the two molecules that made Dr. Folkman famous at first, angiostatin and endostatin. Later, I moved on to studying other aspects of tumor angiogenesis and have build a laboratory around it.
Dr. Folkman was the consummate surgeon-scientist and always a true gentleman the two or three times I met him. He also liked my early work and gave me and my PI helpful advice. I echo the thought that it is a travesty that he never won the Nobel Prize for his work. After all, he started a whole new field of inquiry. Few scientists can claim to have done that.
I am truly grateful to this great man for laying the groundwork in the development of drugs that have me alive today. I am currently taking an inhibitor that cuts off the blood supply to tumors and would not be a live today if not for his work. Thank you Dr. Folkman....you will be missed.
This brilliant man has walked on water in my eyes, since the day he helped save the life of my newborn son. His humility and compassion were unmatched. That son is now a physician; I pray he will someday mean half as much to the world as this man has.
I had the honor of working for Dr. Folkman in the late 1990s. For an extremely busy man, he always made time to review my work, teach me about science and give me adivce about my career. He was a very kind and gentle man and he had so much compassion for people. I am deeply saddened by his loss. His legacy will live on with me for the rest of my life. God Bless.
My condolences to the family, how he loved all of you. Thoughts are also with his staff and all of us whose lives he touched, and there were many.
I will have my Avastin next week, but somehow it will be different.
On behalf of those who suffer with vascular anomalies, we extend our condolences to the family and to colleagues of Dr. Judah Folkman. His pioneering work has brought hope to many.
He inspired me in my current research pursuits. He will be greatly missed.
When I did research at Dana-Farber, I felt a great sense of pride whenever I read Dr Folkmans' name printed about work that he was doing, and that I was connected with an institution that he was also in. I felt that this pride elevated the quality of my research.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and staff of Dr. Folkman.
He touched so many people's lives.
I had the pleasure with my architectural colleagues of designing Dr. Folkman's labs in the new Karp Research Building at Children's Hospital, and greatly enjoyed his modesty and intellectual curiosity about every aspect of the building. My condolences to his family and colleagues.
My condolensces to the family and friends of Dr. Folkman. I was a former patient of his when I was a child, having suffered from a cystic hygroma at birth, which led to vascular problems under my right arm. I can remember as a child that he was incredibly compassionate towards me when we would make special trips to children's hospital, and genuinely cared about my well being. I even agreed to have my problem photographed for one of his published works (I believe a mecical text). I wound up having the vascular anomaly removed by Dr. John Mulliken, a friend and associate of Dr. Folkman's. These two men helped an ordinary young man deal with a very strange disease, and I can't thank them enough for their work with me. When I later heard of Dr. Folkman's work with cancer, I was extremely proud of him. A wonderful doctor and a true hero. He will be missed.
We would often pass one another in the parking garage on our way to our respective days.He to his research lab, me to my clinical teaching and patient care.We always smiled and exchanged a word or two .A small gesture from a very great man who could appreciate and value those of us in the trenches of medicine.I will miss him and our brief moments together.
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are extended to the Folkman family, the Children's Hospital Community, DFCI, Community, the medical community and all of his past and current patients. This humble, unassuming giant of a man was the real deal. He has been a mentor and an inspiration to so many over the years. To think of the lives he has touched and changed is overwhelming. Peace be with you Dr. Folkman you will be sorely missed.
The one time that I heard him give a presentation, I understood more about what he said not because of the words (as I am not a medical person or researcher), but because of how he said them. May all of our writings bring some comfort to his family, staff, and patients throughout the world.
He was the Einstein of our times...had the eloquence of Martin Luther King and the humility of Gandhi...
He will be remembered and missed for a very long time
I worked for Dr. Folkman during my first job out of college in the late 80's and early 90's. I was most impressed by his compassion, humility and accessibility. He always had time to explain the most complex of ideas to me, and had the particular ability to make all scientific concepts accessible. Ten years after I worked for him his recommendation help me land a coveted spot at Kellogg. It is a great miscarriage of justice that he was never awarded the Nobel Prize, but the legion of people that he personally touched as a doctor, colleague, or friend will always keep him in that pantheon of regard. My condolences to his family.
A loss for all the scientific community, I first saw Dr Falkman on TV program, presenting his breakthrough research. Later I met him in person and had the honor to take part in one of his currently ongoing research projects. The loss of a great yet humble scientist leaves us in a grief. He will always be greatly missed.
What a tragic loss for the medical community. I have known Dr. Folkman since my early days as a medical student when he taught me how to diagnose appendicitis and my interactions extended into later years during my work with angiogenesis. He was a true hero!! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and colleagues. May he rest in peace knowing how much he changed the world for the better.
Judah Folkman was really a giant of modern medicine. And he was also humble and engaging. When I interviewed him last summer, he took more than three hours out of his day to talk to me and then he gave me a relaxed tour of his entire lab. I know people who have survived cancer exactly because of the angiogenesis work that went on in that lab. Nobel or not, he left us a much better world.
I never met the man. But his work brought hope and in some cases time for friends. I am saddened for his family and for all those who owe their lives to him.
May others follow in his footsteps and care so much for their patients instead of accolades
My hero is gone. I know his great work will live on in all the great scientists he has trained but no one will be able to do it with the same level of dedication, compassion and humility.
Dr. Folkman inspired me to pursue a career in Cancer Biology, I only wish I could have half his ingenuity, wisdom and courage to continue my research with the same curiosity and love for the sciences as he did. My prayers and deepest condolences to the family.
Dr. Folkman inspired my interest in scientific research in high school; an article in a science magazine caught my attention and I soon read about his research and the multiple obstacles he overcame to become a pioneer. Now a student at Harvard, I am humbled to have done research in the field he developed the past two summers and attend school at the institution he taught at and loved. Though I never got the chance to meet him, he was a hero to all of us, myself included, not just because of his scientific work, but because of his humanity and his spirit. This is a profound loss to science and society. Condolences to all of his family.
My condolences to his family. The scientific community has lost an insightful experimentalist and a great leader. I had the opportunity to serve on a NIH study section where Dr. Follkman was the chair. His dedication to see that all applicants be reviewed fairly was inspiring. This led to some sessions lasting until 11 pm, but due to his rock steady personality no one ever complained.
I have known Dr Folkman for quite a number of years and he has been a tremendous source of strength and inspiration.
This is, indeed, a tragic loss. God rest.
I have been to his lectures numerous times including an in-person lunch meeting. Everytime was an inspiration to me by his persistence in research and assurance of mentorship. Now what is left from my anticipation to see him again in this year's AACR annual meeting is just despair and a great loss to the lives he has touched.
Very sad. Great man in many ways, devoted to science, medicine, passionate researcher, a humble and pleasant person, great teacher. You think of something good and it will apply to him. His lab was producing very unconventional and challenging but very stimulating results all the time. The pace of his mind and work never slowed down. He will be really missed by the whole biomedical community all over the world. He was told last year that he deserved The Nobel Prize more than many others and he just said: "The problem is to live long enough to see that day". Did not happen, but in our minds he will always be the true Nobelist.
Judah Folkman had true scientific genius and thought about everything with a keen mind. Having had the honor of working with him for 2 years in the 1990s, I cannot say enough good things about him. Hearing him and interacting with him in person made every single surgeon proud. His lab and his family were the most important thing to him..... we will miss him. His field , angiogenesis, will go on but it will not be the same without him? Who is going to ask the smartest, clearest questions, who is going to guide the field? He is not replacable.
What a tremendous loss of a great man. When I was a lowly Chemistry Lab technician at Children's Hospital in the early 70's he gave me a private one-on-one biochemistry tutorial, and every time I heard him speak, even as his fame grew, that special humility and humanity were just as evident. I NEVER heard him give a lecture without giving total credit to whomever in his lab had been involved with a particular line of investigation--one would almost get the feeling that Dr. Folkman had played only a minor role, whereas in fact he was the genius and guiding light. Real life heroes are few and far between, but Judah Folkman was truly one of them.
I have been in awe of Dr. Folkman ever since I read the Globe article a few years ago.
This man truly has had an enormous, life-changing impact on science and humankind.
He is a giant among men and should be immortalized by us all.
It is truly a sad day for us all.
Prometheus dies but from his work man wins a better life.
As soon as I heard him speak for 30 minutes, I could tell that he was a true scientist, the few in the field of science. His words gives me hope. I am privileged to have lived in a time where I have heard a great man speak.
I have known Dr Folkman as a teacher to young cancer researchers. I had the privilege to meet him, to know him and to learn from him and his work.
He was a role mdel for me in science who unlike many other known and unknown scientists resisted to the temptations confronted mainstream science and scientists. I wish we had more of his type and manners. Whoever knows him, will testify that he was not just a brilliant mind in science, but also a philanthropist.
For him, scientific achievements was not for self-glorification, but to sever mankind. I wish we all learn from him. My deepest condolences to all of his family, friends, and students. Shahriar Koochekpour, M.D., Ph.D.
Our Thoughts and prayers go out to Joy Moss and her family at the loss of her dear brother.
He was a true legend in his time and will be sadly missed.
The Pasternak and Smith Family from Harley School
I had the pleasure and honor of working with Dr Folkman in the late 70's at Boston Children's. I believe he was Chief of Surgery at that time. I knew the magnitude of the man then, but he was so warm and kind to nurses, patients and their families.What I remember most was being in the "trenches" with him, but that he made children pancrease cookies if they had cystic fibrosis, that he took me to the ER to be treated for a needle stick and directed my care and that he sat with me outside the hospital and told me not to smoke because I was pregnantand it could hurt my unborn baby-an unproven thing then -23 years ago.-
What a man, what a life!! I know how much he loved his family-he told me-
Dr. Folkman was a wonderful, brilliant, and kind man. We will truly miss him. Our hearts go out to his family. I really can not imagine how devastated the Folkmans must feel. Our thoughts and hearts are with you.
Dr. Folkman inspired me to pursue a career in academic oncology. Like so many others, I learned about his work in 1998. At the time I was studying biochemistry with one of Dr. Watson's former students, and tried to learn more. I came to the realization that his theory of cancer angiogenesis, and the targeting of the support in general that cancer cells get from non-cancer cells, was on the verge of revolutionizing medical oncology. I knew I wanted to be part of that revolution.
What an honor it was to subsequently meet this kind, generous, and altogether wonderful man on several occasions, and attended many lectures. He became my role model for what a physician-scientist should be. Thank you, Dr. Folkman! Your example has help me find the courage to try to improve the way we treat cancer.
Dr. Folkman is an inspiriation. My brief and casual meeting with him on the elevator at Dana-Farber spoke volumes about the kind of doctor and educator he was. Although world-renowed, he took the time to chat with me and answer some questions from lowly technician. It is an unmeasurable loss and he will be greatly missed by so many.
We lost a great scientist, but his legacy is still on.
I am saddened to hear of the loss of a true hero who worked tiredlessly on cancer research with brillance and compassion. I admired the work that he did. My condolescences to his family. He will truly be missed.
My heart goes out to the Folkman family -- my sincere condolences to all of you. Judah Folkman was not only an inspiration in the world of science, he was also a light in the world of the arts, particularly dance, where his daughter Marjorie shines so brightly. A huge, huge loss.
Dr. Folkman was the most brilliant, ethical, exciting, hardworking and compassionate man I have known. It was an honor to work with him and I can not express the number of times I think of him as I treat patients, as I teach, and as I do research. He was an incredible mentor. I send my condolences to his family and want to thank them for allowing him to spend the time with us that he did. He will be truly missed.
Children's Hospital has lost one of the greatest scientific minds of this era.
I feel privileged to have met him. I do not think one can possibly measure the impact he has made not only to the medical community as a whole but for the long lasting future improvements he has made on the quality of life for generations to come. This brilliant man never gave up on his beliefs, dedication, and the direction for his research. He deserves a nobel prize for what he accomplished. His greatest reward would be that others take notice and continue to persevere in the research that he pioneered and to continue in the advancements that he devoted his life to. This world is has reaped the rewards because of what this legend has accomplished. One man can truly make a difference...My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and all the people his work will touch.
I was lucky enough to know Dr Folkman, for he is the reason I am alive today (he treated me and my cancer back in 1998). He inspired my oncologists and probably every other doctor that had the oppurtunity to sit in on one of his lectures. I will always remember his passion. His energy was contagious, and every moment that I talked with him either on the phone or in person, I felt like anything was possible. He gave me the best gifts imaginable, hope and life. My family and I would like to express our deepest sympathies to his wife and family. He has been and always will be my hero and the most important person in my life! He will be missed by EVERYONE whose lives he has touched.
Dr. Folkman I will miss you and all that you did for me since I came to Children’s as an infant. You gave my family and I hope when others wouldn’t. I would like to thank the Folkman Family for sharing his very precious time here with all of us who needed him. He was an angel sent from above and I believe he has returned home. He will be sorely missed by many.
I covered Dr. Folkman's last major lecture at Dana-Farber, but what I will always remember is what took place after he was done. Watching him talk individually with each one of a long line of patients and family members whom he had touched with his words, I knew I was in the presence of a brilliant, compassionate man who was a true mensch. He handed out his personal email address and phone number without being asked, shook hands, posed for photos, and after the last patient was gone, spoke for another 20 minutes with me about his career and his dreams. He walked among giants, but had time for everyone. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
it is truly a shame where Dr. Folkman died; it is also a HUGE loss for us; he most definitely deserved the Nobel Price. I will miss reading of his research and just himself. I had the honor to meet Dr. Folkman when I was working at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; very modest man and brilliant. The world has lost a wonderful cancer fighting hero. He will most very very missed.
My condolencies to his dear wife and family.
I was one of the fortunate to have trained under Dr. Folkman in the mid-late 1970's.
I remained a friend and someone who had the utmost admiration for this truly remarkable person. Dr. Folkman was unique beyond description. His genius was in the league of Albert Einstein, commitment to medicine and his patients was consistent with Albert Schweitzer, and his kindness was in the league of a Mother Theresa. Is it possible that one man could be all of these things? If you are talking about Judah Folkman-the answer is yes.
His contribution to society is yet to be fully appreciated. We have lost a great scientist, surgeon, and most importantly a great man. Personally, I will miss him dearly.
My heartfelt and deepest sympathies to his wonderful family
I was fortunate enough to know Dr. Folkman and all the amazing Folkman family.
When tragedy hit my family Dr. Folkman was there pouring through our medical records even though many other activities demanded his attention.
He was a devout and private man with a wonderful family. He had a great sense of justice and a wonderful sense of humor. He was kind and always shared his successes. He was a truly good man, people like this occur once in a lifetime.
In addition, he was a brilliant scientist who many, including myself, believe deserved the Nobel prize. He was generous with his time and I never heard him utter an unkind word. He will be missed by family, friends, patients and the research community. He was an original. I mourn his passing and I offer my prayers and sympathy on to his family. Deborah W.
I knew Dr. Judah Folkman when I served as Cantor of Temple Israel, Boston. He was, as all attested, a brilliant physician and researcher. I want to speak to Dr. Folkman as a compassionate and caring human being and Jew. The high value for life which Judaism espouses was at the core of his professional life. He certainly lived up to the teaching in the Talmud that "he who saves even one life is as if he saved the entire world." Humble and unassuming, he was an individual who certainly left this world with "the impershable crown of a good name". I pray that his name be remembered always as a blessing to humanity. Sincerest condolences to his wife, Paula, and his children, Laura and Marjorie.
We lost a great scientist and a wonderful human being. My deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
Judah was our cousin growing up here in Columbus, and I first remeber him as a teenager in the late 1940's. Even then he was scholarly, kind, and filled with humility. Although he father was a rabbi, Judah would come dowstairs from his micrpscopy right before the Passover seder and excuse himself to return upstairs at the earliest reasonable opportunity; his devotion to science was extraordinary. Despite his later notoriety, he remained unchanged --a credit to his family, his profession, and to humanity.
My condolences to his family and to the world at large.
"Do not pay attention to a case report- unless it is the FIRST case."
Any other Folkman-isms that you remember?
There is an ancient Jewish teaching that the world is maintained by the unselfish acts of 36 anonymous and righteous people.
Someone will have to take Judah Folkman's place.
Dr.Folkman gave a lecture at the Harvard Institue of Learning in Retirement.
His modesty, appreciation of his coworkers and his sense of humor stayed with me ever since. Not to speak of his knowledge. A rare human being.
he devoted his life to helping, healing, nurturing and inspiring others. and , in so doing, gave all of us a very noble prize indeed.
Dr. Folkman was a brilliant scientist, a wonderful surgeon, and an absolute gentleman. I had a private conversation with him just once, in 1989, when I sat in his office as an interviewee for pediatric surgery training. It was one of the greatest honors of my life.
May his memory be a blessing.
Dr. Judah Folkman was a hero to everyone in my son, Scott Toner's family. When Scott was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, he faced many rounds of chemotherapy and a very uncertain future. During the time that he was being treated at Beth Israel Hospital, Scott had the great opportunity to hear Dr. Folkman speak at a forum at Beth Israel on his experimental drug, Endostatin. After several rounds of chemo, the oncologist suggested that Scott take a break from these treatments. Scott inquired about the possiblity of getting into the Endostatin trials. Fortunately for all of us, he was accepted.
Now several years later, Scott is doing great on Avastin (since Endostatin is no longer available here in the U.S.) and is a proud husband to his wife, Jennifer, and father to two children--Nolan who is 2 years old, and Neave, who is 6 months old. Dr. Folkman was proud to tell me that Nolan was the first Endostatin baby and pointed out to me how perfect he was.
I had the great fortune to meet personally with Dr. Folkman on two occasions; first at the opening of his Research Center at Children's Hospital; and then for a one-on-one conversation with him as he spent 45 minutes with me bringing me up to date on the status of getting Endostar which is produced in China and is based on the Endostatin theory, accepted for use in the United States. Let's hope that his research and great determination to champion the cause for cancer survivors will be rewarded in the near future.
A grateful mother
Ethel Toner
Dr. Folkman is an inspiration to us all.
He was the most gracious and kind man one could ever hope to meet and he was the best teacher. He talked to everyone like they were a patient at Children's Hospital Boston, making sure they felt they were important and that they understood what he was saying even if it was the theory of angiogenesis.
He inspires me to work tirelessly for a cause as he did day in and day out. His passion lives on in the legacy of scientists he has trained and mentored who will pursue his vision. My sincere condolences to his family and his Children's Hospital Boston family.
Judah Folkman is an outstanding example of a truly wonderful human being (a true MENSCH) who knew how "to think out of the box," do innovative things, and open up people's minds and hearts.
Not only the scientific world has lost in any kind a most distinguished, wonderful and breath taking man and personality. I am deeply indepted for having had the chance to join him and his laboratory 97-99. He has and will forever lead a surgeons thinking in his way of persistence. Our deepest thoughts are also with his wife and family.
He was an outstanding man, physician, and human being. He inspired many with his passion and compassion: those of us in Children's Hospital, the staff, colleagues, the patients and families; and it goes without saying; the many lives we will never know he touched around the world. Deepest sympathies and thoughts to his family and gratitude for all he has done.
Wonderful obit. Right on the mark. The article captures Dr. Folkman's impact, brilliance and kindness. He is exactly the role model we should reach for as we educate the next generation of physicians in the 21st century.
The world has lost a pioneer, the U.S. has lost a maverick, Massachusetts has lost a star, Boston has lost a leader, patients have lost a champion of their cause.
Children's Hospital has lost one of the greatest scientific minds of this era.
I feel privileged to have met him. I do not think one can possibly measure the impact he has made not only to the medical community as a whole but for the long lasting future improvements he has made on the quality of life for generations to come. This brilliant man never gave up on his beliefs, dedication, and the direction for his research. He deserves a nobel prize for what he accomplished. His greatest reward would be that others take notice and continue to persevere in the research that he pioneered and to continue in the advancements that he devoted his life to. This world is has reaped the rewards because of what this legend has accomplished. One man can truly make a difference...My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and all the people his work will touch.
What a great human being, scientist and physician. I am sure he will receive the Nobel Prize firsthand from Alfred Nobel himself.
Two references:
1) Gross, R.E. Pomerantz, A.A., Watkins, E., Jr. and Goldsmith, E.L.: Surgical
Closure of Defects of the Interauricular Septum by Use of an Atrial Well. New
England J. Med.,247:455, 1952.
2) Organ Perfusion and Preservation, ed John C. Norman co-eds M. Judah
Folkman, William G. Hardison, Leslie E. Rudolph & Frank J. Veith 960 pp Appleton-Century-Crofts Division of Meredith Corporation New York, 1968
Library of Congress Catalog Number 68-54564.
Relevance:
When the first article was published Judah & I were Harvard Medical students
living in Vanderbilt Hall just across the street from Children's Hospital on
Longwood Avenue. Both of us were also working in Dr. Gross's Surgical Research Laboratories. I was completing an internal review of all of the cases of surgery undertaken in premature infants weighing less than 3 lbs & Judah
had suggested that a pacing wire attached to an external pulse generator
would be a viable solution to the instances of iatrogenic complete heart
block produced by the atrial well procedure in the era prior to the use of
cardiopulmonary bypass. Neither Judah nor I were yet 21 years of age.
Fast forward to 1968 & review Judah & Ben Cohen's Chapter 35 contribution to our text beginning on pg 471 entitled "Cell Death and the Measurement of
Oxygen Consumption in the Isolated Perfused Organ". Then review Chapter 55
entitled "Isolated Perfusion of Thymus" by J. Folkman, S. Winsey, P.Cole & R.
Hodes & note well its references, i.e. "A Study of tumor behavior in isolated
perfused organs" Ann Surg 164: 491, 1966 &" The culture of human leukemia.
A simplified perfusion system for the growth of colonies of human neoplasms"
Surgery 62:110,1967.
I post this note to add my condolences to Paula & her daughters. They must know that I first met Judah coming into the courtyard as an HMSI at Vanderbilt Hall, peering down from my room at 338 as an imperous HMSII. My roommates
on either side were former Princeton undergraduate academic & football
all-americans Harold Urschel, now Ross E. Perot Prof. of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery in Dallas & David Hickok, formerly of Minneapolis. When I finished a 10 year stint of postgraduate training in the same fields in NYC & England, I returned to HMS to join the faculty & build a laboratory in the Sears Surgical Buildings at BCH under Dr. Wm. McDermott. Judah finished his postgraduate training at the MGH & joined us at the Sears Laboratories the next year, as did Anthony Monaco, the following year.
The revisionist reports that Dr. Sidney Farber "discovered" Judah over at
the BCH are so much balderdash. Everyone in science, surgery & research
knew Judah...from the publications I have included, above & from the
generations of students, residents & research Fellows who rotated through
the Sears Labratories from 1963, onward.
I knew Judah when he was the student, when he was the research fellow, when he first opened the space above us in the Sears Building as his first laboratory with no students or research fellows and now hear that his laboratory & legacy will include more than 100 associates, research fellows & students, just a short half-century later. Well done, Judah...very, very well done. Kudos & accolades, all around.
Paula will know why I have paused to pen this note & affirm to all interested
that Judah was as engaging, provocative & inspiring as a student & friend as others remember him, just last week. Because we were close, I have no hesitation in letting all know that he would want you " stay curious"...and as I have admonished in other forums & venues "continue to propose the preposterous"
Jack Norman, Harvard '50,'54
My condolensces to the Folkman family.
Reading of Folkman's papers signifcantly influenced my research career.
After reading his early research papers, I wanted to be part of this and doing angiogenesis research.
I was fortunate to meet Dr Judah Folkman once while visiting his laboratory and was impressed by his wit, sharp mind and very gentle manners. What an outstanding man, scientist and human being.
This is a great loss for the Angiogenesis community.
The world has lost an incredible person, saviour, and inspiration to all who had the pleasure of meeting him or being healed by him. Judah will now be a "star " in heaven who will light the path for others. What a loss to us all. Our deepest sympathies to his family from Leonard and Tess Stern's family
Its been awhile since I walked the halls of then Enders 10 to find Dr. Folkman at work .. very often late into the night. He was always generous with his time and giving of his immense knowledge. Such a mesmerizing personality .. you wanted to serve others .. as he did .. just by listening to him. I wanted to become like him and have dedicated my life to defeating cancer as well. Although no one could ever be truly like Judah Folkman .. he was unique, he was beyond special. The world has lost a shining star but his amazing and lasting contributions live on in the vast number of people he taught, breakthrough treatments that his work created and patients for whom he always deeply cared and to whom he gave all the best of himself. I was so very blessed to have known him and will keep what he taught me forever in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his closest colleagues and friends .. to all those who loved him.
When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
Having heard of Dr. Folkman's visions in high school, he became and remained my role model as a great scientist and physician throughout my University years. Moving from Vienna to Boston I was very privileged to meet Dr. Folkman personally and to work with him. I still remember how excited I was when I met him the first time. A giant of science, but at the same time a humble man, kind, generously offering his help, and inspirational. His legacy will live on even though he never received the nobel prize. Dr. Folkman will remain the unreachable role model for the rest of my life.
Deep condolences to his family,
Klaus Podar, DFCI
January 16, 2008
Farewell Dr. Folkman.
In February of 2005, I "cold called" Dr. Folkman to ask for his help fighting neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that my then 4 year old daughter had survived at age 2.
Dr. Folkman left me a voice mail message the next day inviting contact. Later that week he welcomed my visit, unannounced, together with my daughter at his office, well after business hours. He was genuinely delighted to meet a parent of a once seriously ill child who wanted to make a difference.
Dr. Folkman spoke with me for over two hours, answering my questions about angiogenesis, applications to treating cancer, and the latest advances in cancer biomarkers. He praised each young scientist who contributed to new discoveries by name, and then set about brainstorming with me about how these cutting edge discoveries might be applied to fight neuroblastoma. Dr. Folkman took frequent notice of my daughter, first offering her the white marker board to draw upon, and then, to her delight, the overhead projector. Dr. Folkman shared a photo of his own 4 year old granddaughter, who was so clearly the most recent love of his life.
He told stories about his family of origin, including his father's favorite dinner time question “what good questions did you ask today". He joked, that until he was age 5, he wondered if he was allowed to eat if he had not asked any questions at school. He spoke frankly about the challenges of conducting novel research in the modern age. It was clear that he was at times inspired, and always undaunted by these challenges.
Finally, my wife called me on my cell phone to find out why I hadn’t returned home, now past dinner. The time passed so quickly. Dr. Folkman apologized for “keeping me” and asked that I invite my wife and my son to visit the lab at their next opportunity.
Before we parted company that evening, Dr. Folkman reviewed in detail, several possible novel approaches to researching neuroblastoma. He asked which research ends might be of greatest interest to parents of children with this disease. He listened closely and shook my hand.
Two weeks later he prepared a written proposal to research neuroblastoma biomarkers in his lab. He hypothesized that these biomarkers might one day be used to predict, and perhaps prevent relapse. He suggested that the research would be funded from his lab, as it was “too important” to wait .
In the weeks and months that followed, Dr. Folkman invited local neuroblastoma experts to brainstorm the research proposal with him, and ultimately to collaborate in biomarker research. He presented his research proposal personally to cancer fundraising organizations and other neuroblastoma parents. He introduced us to the two young scientists who would carry out the research. Today, the research is well under way, and Dr. Folkman has called upon me frequently to report interesting trends in the data.
When I look back on that first meeting with Dr. Folkman I am comforted. No false hope was offered for a cure, only possible paths forward on a dark New England winter night, delivered by a humble, brilliant, and truly gentle man, while my daughter played in his office.
With gratitude, and sincerest sympathy to his family, friends, and colleagues,
I am a very grateful parent,
Michael Dodd
Our lives will never be the same. Dr. Folkman was our life line. Jon's health care has been in his hands for 28 years. May we find the courage and strength to believe that the foundation he laid for Jon (and others) will support him (them) forever.
Jon's favorite poem:
Wendell Berry, Openings: The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night
at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake rests
in his beauty on the water,
and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.
I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light.
For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Dr. Folkmann was a wonderful, kind, and brilliant man who has affected many. He will live on forever in the hands of the many pediatric surgeons he has trained, the minds of the many scientists he has inspired, and the hearts of the many patients he has cared for with such compassion. He will be missed greatly.
I would like to extend my condolences to Dr. Folkman's lovely and loving family.
I am deeply saddened today to hear of his sudden passing.
A very great man - brilliant scientist, gifted surgeon, inspiring teacher, kind, gentle, funny, compassionate, indefatigable, generous with his time and wonderful to work for.
Truly, there is no one like him.
A great medical educator.
I worked for Harvard Medical School for many years and Dr. Folkman was a name that was fondly used in many conversations. I became very interested in his research around the time when my husband became ill with cancer and began reading many of his journals. He was a brilliant scientist and will be sadly missed by the medical community. I am sorry I never met him personally but just hearing his name, I could tell he was a loving individual. My condolences to the Folkman family.
Dr. Judah Folkman changed my life forever. He was uniquely approachable and humble, for a medical giant of his stature. He was a father-like mentor to more than one can imagine. Yet you always felt like you were his only mentee. One of my favorite memories of him is this. I was walking my bike home from his lab late one evening. An old car slowed down next to the curb. The passenger window lowered. Surprisingly, Folkman's head leaned out the window, "Lynn, do you need a ride?" Now that he is no longer with us, my life is once again changed.
How sad that such a wonderful person, as well as such an excellent doctor and research scientist who made such astounding contributions to the world of medicine in spite of his detractors should leave this earth at a time when he was still so productive and relatively young. Our condolences to Paula and his family are sincere and heartfelt. The city of Fall River, MA, and especially the Jewish community here (where Paula was born) grieves for you. May you rest in peace forever.
We miss you so much Dr. Folkman. This place isn't the same without you.
What a loss! Judah Folkman was an incredible teacher, kind, always thinking "outside of the box", respecting different opinions, while having an incredible knowledge to draw upon. I will always remember the Wednesday evening conferences to discuss patients with vascular problems and the occasional lab meetings I had the privilege of attending. He will be missed!
Dr. Judah Folkman will live on in the work that he began so long ago. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet him and experience the intellect of his great mind. I remember that at every case conference he attended, he brought his pocket spiral notebook, and wrote down interesting facts or points of question as he listened to the presenter....he was a constant "thinker." That act alone, inspired me to do the same and now I too carry a mini-notebook to write the questions that develop as I am involved or reviewing the course of a patient's care or taking in a lecture.
The number of responses clearly demonstrate not only the brilliance, but the humanity, kindness, and humble nature of Dr. Folkman. He is a presence that will be missed in all venues of life. For his family--both the Children's Family as well as his wife, children, and granddaughter--you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Over 35 years our paths crossed routinely at Children's, DFCI, and Logan. What rushes to my mind with Judah's death is his humility, his brilliance, his commitment to patients and families, his resolve to constantly honor front line staff, relelentless respectful practice, and his astounding ability to be "in the moment" with you. Whether crowded airport or hospital corridor, for that moment there was no one else but the two of you in conversaton with eyes 'touching." No matter how hard you tried, before questions about him could be answed, he had to know about what was up with you and your work. And yes, as a smile forms, there was his office... and him franticly trying to clear a space so you could talk.
A kind, gentle and compassionate man, he essentially created the field of angiogenesis research and the concept of anti-angiogenesis as a cancer therapy despite furious, prolonged, and determined opposition and scepticism.
This is a sad loss.
My condolences to his family.
We were introduced to Dr Folkman in 1995 by another fabulous Doctor, Patricia Burrows for help with our daughter. Bianca was born with an AVM on her right arm. Dr Folkman always referred to Dr Burrows as the michealangelo of interventional radiology. Dr Folkman was one of a kind, along with Dr Burrows worked endlessly to get our daughter on an experimental angiogenesis drug.
Together they worked countless hours with the FDA to let our daughter be the first child in the world to receive this drug. Today our daughter is living a more productive life pain free. Thank you Dr Folkman!, You will be deeply missed by all the people whose lives you touched. My wife and I will miss you, our meetings and telephone conversations (even when he was out of the country, he called). That was Dr Folkman one of a kind! We still can't get over the fact of not hearing your voice, Rest in peace, Thank You, you will never be forgottem!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our condolences to his family, may your memories of him be eternal.
We were introduced to Dr Folkman in 1995 by another fabulous Doctor, Patricia Burrows for help with our daughter. Bianca was born with an AVM on her right arm. Dr Folkman always referred to Dr Burrows as the michealangelo of interventional radiology. Dr Folkman was one of a kind, along with Dr Burrows worked endlessly to get our daughter on an experimental angiogenesis drug.
Together they worked countless hours with the FDA to let our daughter be the first child in the world to receive this drug. Today our daughter is living a more productive life pain free. Thank you Dr Folkman!, You will be deeply missed by all the people whose lives you touched. My wife and I will miss you, our meetings and telephone conversations (even when he was out of the country, he called). That was Dr Folkman one of a kind! We still can't get over the fact of not hearing your voice, Rest in peace, Thank You, you will never be forgottem!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our condolences to his family, may your memories of him be eternal.
I would like to thank the family of Dr. Folkman, particularly for their patience. They no doubt gave up countless hours of family time so that he could selfishly give his time to others. I know this first hand as he spent an enormous amount of time to keep me alive and enable me to write these words today.
Thank you. Dr. Folkman's legacy will forever grace this world.
I was shocked and saddened on hearing the news of Judah Folkman's untimely death. It was a great honor to have known Dr Folkman. His contribution to the field of medicine undoubtedly improved the lives of countless people and will remain his legacy for years to come. His presence will be sadly missed.
One night seveal years ago, my phone rang. I answered it and heard "hello, this is Dr. Folkman. I heard that the patient was having some pain." I informed him that it was the wrong number, but said "is this THE Dr. Judah Folkman?" He said yes and we chatted briefly about if I could possibly write about him. I later wrote two articles for the Jewish Advocate about his research.
But that call singlehandedly showed me that he was every bit the caring, humane doctor I had heard he was. I was astounded that he was calling a patient late at night on his own to inquire about the patient's pain. A mensch, and a brilliant mensch to boot.
May his soul be bound up with the souls of our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and let us say amen.
Dr. Folkman was truly an incredible, amazing man. I first met him in 1976 in his office study, when he explained to me that my 1 ½ year old son, Tracy Coombs had a sarcoma tumor and had a 5% chance for survival. I had no idea at that moment how blessed I was to have gotten him for my son’s doctor. However, over the next 20 years or so I did in fact realize that I had been blessed with the best doctor possible for the job. He always gave me hope, no matter what was happening. He always took time for my family and I, explaining things in terms that we could understand. He was always very kind, understanding, and compassionate. I quickly gained the utmost respect and admiration for a man that I truly believed could “walk on water”. Because of Dr. Folkman my now 33 year old son is alive and doing well today. Dr. Folkman will have a place in my heart forever. I would like extend my deepest and most sincere sympathy to his wife, daughters and granddaughter. He will be greatly missed by all of us whom he touched over the years in one way or another.
As an aspiring surgeon/scientist working in the cardiovascular field, Dr Folkman is one of my heroes. While Dr Folkman's work is centered on stopping angiogenesis, I am interested in using it to treat cardiovascular disease.
I read his biography last year and it inspires me to this day. Despite the resistance to the notion that a surgeon can also be a scientist he persisted and succeeded. He is one of my role models.
I visited Harvard only last month (from Australia), where I am lucky to be working with great, kind people.
Despite working in different fields, I hoped to meet this great researcher, surgeon and humanist one day.
It saddens me that I will never have the opportunity to tell him how his story inspired me despite never meeting him. My condolences to all those who knew him.
Dr. Folkman was the greatest human being I have had the good fortune to meet in person. What a privilege it was. Not just his discoveries were brilliant, original, uniquely insightful. Dr. Folkman was a giant personality, compassionate and courteous in the deepest sense, and inspiring in the broadest sense. 74 seems too young, although Dr. Folkman died the way many of us say we'd prefer to -- vigorous to the end, then gone in an instant with no long, slow decline. But his early death means dozens of other young people will not get to know him or be inspired by him. For this, I feel sad, although I should simply be grateful that he existed, and that I had the incredible good luck to know him.
Someday I hope, there will be a Judah Folkman Physician/Scientist/Humanitarian Award, and any recipient of this award should feel more honored to receive it than a Nobel Prize. In fact, had Dr. Folkman been awarded a Nobel, it should have been the Peace Prize. A Folkman Award could not be given every year, but only singularly, in the unlikely event that someone of that depth and breadth of gifts, and giving, appears again.
A Supernova, a great man by any definition, and gone too soon. We are richer for having been his contemporaries.
I began to know Dr. Judah Folkman’s work when I was pursuing my Ph.D. in the UK specialized in research related to cancer. I got to know his work further when I fortunately met one of Dr. Folkman’s postdoctoral fellows Dr. Mike O'Reilly (Now a professor at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center) at the NATO Advanced Study Institute Conference on Intermolecular Cross-Talk in Tumor Metastasis in Athens, Greece from July 24 to August 3, 1998. After my Ph.D., I joined Dr. Margaret Shipp’s lab at Dana Farber Cancer Institute which is next door to Children’s Hospital where Dr. Folkman worked. At DFCI, we collaborated with Dr. Marsha Moses in Dr. Folkman’s Program on research of bFGF and angiogenesis. A great researcher yet very personable, Dr. Judah Folkman said hi to me every time when I run into him in the facilities and he got to know my research.
In early 2002, on behalf of Sino-American Pharmaceutical Professional Association-New England (SAPA-NE) I had the opportunity to approach Dr. Folkman and invite him to give a keynote speech at the 5th SAPA-NE annual scientific conference. I still remember his smile when I finally got his speech acceptance in the cafeteria of Children’s Hospital. “Sure I will attend because it is your meeting”. What’s followed was a signed acceptance letter through fax “Dear Dr. Wu, I am honored to be invited to give a keynote speech at… I am happy to accept…”. My SAPA-NE colleague Dr. Shiwen Lin, the conference chair and myself as a co- chair, were so delighted to receive the trust and support from Dr. Folkman. Held at MIT on Saturday June 22, the 2002 SAPA-NE conference was the greatest success in SAPA-NE’s 10 year history attributed to Dr. Folkman’s keynote speech. SAPA-NE colleagues and I still remember vividly his key words “if one day you dry the ocean and you will be surprised to see the sea floor is totally different from what you have in mind”. What instilled in us further are his humbleness, dedication and sense of commitment. At the conference day, Dr.Folkman was one of the first among not only speakers but also all conference attendees to arrive at the auditorium at 6:30 am. His keynote speech was the first on the schedule at 8:30am and he stayed on for the whole Saturday. My colleagues at SAPA-NE were deeply moved by his generous support.
In light of the great success of the 2002 SAPA-NE conference, SAPA organized a symposium in 2003 in New Jersey. I had the honor again to help invite Dr. Folkman to give a speech at the SAPA symposium. I was again favored by Dr. Folkman and he accepted the invitation and traveled in his busy schedule to New Jersey.
Three years ago, I completed my postdoc research at DFCI. I wrote to Dr. Folkman for his advice on my career search. He met me twice in his Office and made many suggestions on my next career steps. In the second meeting. he invited Dr. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro to join the meeting. He would like to offer me a faculty position to work on some related projects in his Program. He also suggested I may go back to China to take an important position or establish an Institute, if so, he would be happy to be my advisor and give the opening remarks in my Institute. He also said we would publish papers together. When I decided to join CHB CHIP Program, he cheerfully supported my decision and promised to work together.
Dr. Folkman had a busy schedule but he always made time to talk to young scientists and greet scientists from China. When Endostar was approved in China, he told me about the news and he felt very excited about the opportunities in China. He then invited Dr. Yongzhang Luo to give a talk on Endostar in CHB. When Dr. Jie-fu Huang, Vice Minister, Ministry of Health, People's Republic of China gave a talk in HMS, Dr. Folkman would like to give Dr. Huang a book titled “Dr. Folkman's War: Angiogenesis and the Struggle to Defeat Cancer” (Chinese version). Per Dr. Folkman’s request, I had the honor to introduce them each other. The picture attached remains a precious memory of Dr. Folkman.
Three months ago, I submitted a manuscript to Molecular Cell. A little over one month ago when I met Dr. Folkman at CHB, we were just talking about my work in that manuscript. I gave Dr. Folkman a hard copy of the manuscript and he read the abstract immediately and promised to read on and get back to me with his comments. I never received his comments rather later found out about the shocking news of his departure. An admired scientist, great mentor, and personable friend has left, but his humbleness, dedication and sense of commitment will be with us forever.
Erxi Wu, Ph.D.
I was shocked and so sad on hearing the bad news of Dr. Folkman's death on the day of Jan 14, 2008, when I chaired a cancer synposium on angiogenesis and antiangiogenesis. I visited his lab in 2002, and discussed tumor angiogenesis. He was so kind and encouraged me to research angiogenesis. One of my dreams was to revisit him and work in his lab under his leadship. It is now impossible. I believe that Dr.Folkman is one of the greatest scientists and should win the Nobel Prize. We will try our best to make greater progress in the war against cancer by antiangiogenesis. He will be with us forever.
I am privileged to work in Dr. Folkman's lab and I miss him terribly! His constant energy and desire to discover something new was contagious. He made me a much better scientist I could ever be. Thank you Dr. Folkman!
From México....
The world has lost its commander in chief in the fight against cancer
I had the honor of knew for Dr. Folkman in 2002 in Niejmegen, Holland
My condolensces to the Folkman family.
I met him once at Children's Hospital when I was a Summer student at Harvard. He was kind and encouraging to an inexperienced medical student fully aware of talking to a medical giant. I remember that brief conversation with gratitude and it stays with me. My condolences and prayers for his Family.
I am saddened by the news of Dr Judah Folkmans passing. I send my condolences to his family. We were introduced by Dr Richard Jonas. I was a visiting medical student from Scotland and worked in his labs for a short period.
I have known Dr Folkman as a teacher to young cancer researchers. I had the privilege to meet him, to know him and to learn from him and his work.
He was a role mdel for me in science who unlike many other known and unknown scientists resisted to the temptations confronted mainstream science and scientists. I wish we had more of his type and manners. Whoever knows him, will testify that he was not just a brilliant mind in science, but also a philanthropist.
For him, scientific achievements was not for self-glorification, but to serve mankind. I wish we all learn from him. My deepest condolences to all of his family, friends, and students.
Dr. Folkman, a great scientist, I have never met. I really miss him because he brought his great contribution to man.
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