Schwarz Family and Friends Cancer Research Fund

Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center

For more than 30 years, the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center has been a leader in cancer research, bringing hope and healing to patients in Indiana and around the world. Your gift to this fund will extend that profound impact by supporting expenses incurred by IU School of Medicine for cancer research conducted at the Simon Cancer Center, with a preference for brain cancer research.

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Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center

For more than 30 years, the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center has been a leader in cancer research, bringing hope and healing to patients in Indiana and around the world. Your gift to this fund will extend that profound impact by supporting expenses incurred by IU School of Medicine for cancer research conducted at the Simon Cancer Center, with a preference for brain cancer research.

Additional Info

Jeff Schwarz was a Hoosier through and through. He was born and raised north of Indianapolis and met his wife, Jill, during their time as undergraduates at IU Bloomington. They are both proud IU alumni, with Jeff graduating with an undergraduate degree in economics (Phi Beta Kappa) in 1994. Jeff was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and is beloved by his many brothers. Jeff’s daughter, Madison, is also an IU alumna who earned an undergraduate degree in marketing from the Kelley School of Business in 2022, and his son, Andrew, attended IU his freshman year.

In 2019, Jeff and Jill joined the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Development Board and began generously supporting IU cancer research. Their family has endured the loss of multiple loved ones to cancer, and in November 2022, they were shocked when Jeff was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and difficult-to-treat brain cancer.

Jeff and his family established the Schwarz Family and Friends Cancer Research Fund, with a focus on brain cancer, and in August 2023, IU used the funding to recruit Jia “Zach” Shen, PhD, an assistant professor of medical and molecular genetics, to the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. Based in Bloomington, Dr. Shen’s research laboratory focuses on understanding and preventing the recurrence of glioblastoma.

Cancer ended Jeff’s life on Nov. 26, 2023, but his legacy will live on in many ways, including through the research advancements made possible by the Schwarz Family and Jeff’s many friends who choose to support IU brain cancer research in his name.

Important Disclosures

Please note, the name and purpose of the fund displayed on this page constitute the authorized description of the fund by the Indiana University Foundation, Inc. Your gift supports the fund as described herein.

Gifts will be administered by the Indiana University Foundation, Inc. which represents Indiana University, including the IU School of Medicine. This is not a gift to Indiana University Health, and the Indiana University Health Foundation will not play a role in administering these accounts.