Each year, a community gathers with a shared purpose: to honor a life lost too soon and to fuel the research that could help save others.
This February, friends and supporters once again came together at Sailfish Point in Stuart, Florida, for the 14th annual Keith A. Landesman Fundraiser, a long-standing event held in honor of Dr. Keith Landesman and benefiting the Cancer Research Institute (CRI). Through a day of activities, an evening program and dinner, and the generosity of a committed community, this year’s event raised more than $330,000 to support early-career scientists working to advance cancer immunotherapy.
The event is part of a remarkable family legacy that has raised more than $2.8 million for cancer research over the years — a testament to the dedication of Jane and Richard Landesman and the community that has rallied around them.
Honoring Keith Landesman Through Research
The event was created in memory of Dr. Keith Landesman, a husband, father, and cardiologist remembered by those who knew him as deeply compassionate and committed to helping others.
“Keith was the most kind-hearted person I think I’ve ever met,” said his brother, Kevin Landesman. “All he wanted to do was help people. That’s why he went into medicine.”
Following Keith’s passing, his parents transformed their grief into action, dedicating themselves to raising funds for cancer research. What began years ago as a golf tournament at Birchwood Country Club in Westport, Connecticut, eventually grew into the annual gathering now held at Sailfish Point.
For the Landesman family, the event remains both a fundraiser and a tribute.
“When you dig deeper than the fundraising,” Kevin said, “this is our family’s way of honoring and remembering Keith.”
Investing in the Next Generation of Scientists
The funds raised through the Keith A. Landesman Memorial Fund support CRI postdoctoral fellows — early-career researchers pursuing bold ideas in cancer immunotherapy.
This focus reflects the Landesman family’s belief in the power of fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.
“They want to support researchers who are tackling cancer from different angles,” Kevin explained. “They believe the next breakthrough can come from someone with a new perspective — someone early in their career who just needs the opportunity and support.”
For CRI, these fellowships are a critical part of the discovery pipeline. By investing in young scientists at a pivotal moment in their careers, the program helps accelerate new ideas and emerging approaches that could transform how cancer is treated.
A Community That Shows Up
At Sailfish Point, the event has grown into something more than a fundraiser. It has become a community tradition — one built on shared commitment and genuine engagement.
This year, Dr. Haydn Kissick, a CRI STAR and Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine, shared what inspired his path into cancer research, reflecting on his mother’s years-long battle with the disease.
He also outlined his vision for what he and his colleagues hope to accomplish over the next five years, energizing the crowd with a sense of hope and possibility. He was joined by CRI’s CEO, Dr. Alicia Zhou, who spoke about the importance of philanthropy — especially now — and highlighted several of CRI’s exciting recent initiatives.
“The room is quiet when the speakers are talking,” said Kara Green, Keith’s sister. “Everyone is mesmerized by what’s being discussed. There’s love, there’s some sadness, every emotion is there — but it’s an incredible event.”
For Kevin, the dedication of the community continues to be one of the most meaningful aspects.
“They’re not just writing a check and moving on,” he said. “They’re there in person, listening to the speakers and really buying into the cause.”
That sense of connection — between supporters, scientists, and families affected by cancer — is part of what has sustained the event for more than a decade.
A Legacy That Continues to Grow
Behind the scenes, the work to make the event happen begins almost immediately after the previous year’s gathering ends.
“The next one starts basically the next day,” Kara said. “My parents work on it all year long.”
Their dedication has inspired admiration from family and friends alike.
“They put an extraordinary amount of time and energy into this,” Kevin said. “Year after year after year — every event somehow becomes bigger than the last.”
Recognition at the CRI Annual Awards Gala
In recognition of their extraordinary commitment to advancing cancer research, Jane and Richard Landesman were honored with the Oliver R. Grace Award for Distinguished Service at the 2025 CRI Annual Awards Gala.
Named for CRI’s founding chairman, the award celebrates individuals whose dedication has had a lasting impact on the organization’s mission.
For their children, the recognition was both meaningful and well-deserved.
“They wouldn’t do this for recognition,” Kevin said. “They do it because they want to end cancer so other families don’t have to go through what we did.”
Still, he added, the moment meant a great deal for the family.
“It was a wonderful evening for our family to come together and say thank you to our parents for the example they’ve set — showing us what it means to dedicate your life to something bigger than yourself.”
Moving the Mission Forward
Through the dedication of the Landesman family and the generosity of the Sailfish Point community, the Keith A. Landesman Memorial Fund continues to fuel the next generation of scientific discovery.
And with each passing year, the event carries forward both a personal legacy and a broader mission: supporting the research that could one day make cancer a disease of the past.
As Kevin reflected, imagining what his brother might think of it all: “I think he would be unbelievably proud that his legacy lives on through these events.”
