In 1974, John Cleland became the first person in the world to see his advanced testis cancer cured with an experimental chemotherapy. Prior to receiving this treatment, he received three different lines of chemotherapy with only brief benefit but severe toxicity.

Because of his courage to continue fighting, these new treatments, known as PVB and BEP, became the worldwide standard therapy, increasing the cure rate for metastatic testis cancer from five percent to 80 percent. Cleland was a hero for bravely accepting this option when Dr. Lawrence Einhorn presented it to him. Countless lives have been saved because Cleland was willing to be a test case for Einhorn’s long-shot idea.

Cleland lived 47 more years and was a wonderful husband, father, educator, coach, and friend. He and Einhorn kept in touch all his life, and Einhorn feels personally indebted to him for being his partner in this journey.

To ensure that Cleland is always a part of the cancer center, the John Cleland Testis Cancer Fellowship Fund was created to promote ongoing training in testis cancer research. Making a gift to this fund honors Cleland as a trailblazing hero in testis cancer research and supports new advancements in patient care. Thank you for your generous support!

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.