Since 2010, the Conquer Cancer Foundation has flourished under the leadership of Board of Directors Chair Martin J. Murphy, DMedSc, PhD, of AlphaMed Consulting, Inc. In the following interview, Dr. Murphy reflects on the two and a half years of his tenure thus far and discusses what the next few months hold as he prepares to pass the torch to a new Chair at the end of 2012.

AC: What was happening in the Foundation when you were approached to serve as Chair?
Dr. Murphy: I was approached about the position at a time that might be described as pivotal in the history of the Foundation. During its decade of life, the Foundation had been the recipient of significant contributions that were generously made by a variety of donors, but it had not been an active “friendraising” or fundraising organization.

At that time, [ASCO CEO] Dr. Allen Lichter submitted to the Foundation Board that, in his words, “the future of ASCO is predicated upon the success of its Foundation,” and the Foundation’s abilities, commitment, and vision needed to be revitalized. If we predicate that the future of ASCO has a huge impact on the lives and quality of lives of patients across this nation and around the world, then the Foundation’s success is critical for patients. That was a clarion call. When Dr. Lichter and then-President Dr. Douglas Blayney approached me under those conditions, it was impossible to say no. It was time for a quantum leap forward.

AC: What were some of the biggest challenges during your term?
Dr. Murphy: The renaissance of the Foundation. None of us in the Foundation’s leadership intended to keep the status quo. We needed an introspective examination of conscience to ask, “What is the destiny of this organization?” And we had to ask for a referendum: was each of us willing to salute this new, active, energetic, outwardlooking, time-demanding banner? To the great credit of every Director of (what at that time was called) The ASCO Cancer Foundation, every one rose up to say, “I’m with you.”

The first thing we did was to develop the new mission and new vision of the Foundation, from which we derived the new name: the Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

AC: What has been the highlight of your experience as Chair?
Dr. Murphy: Working for a noble cause with people I really admire, who are equally consecrated to that cause. I’ve seen individuals arise time and again to challenges that they surely considered daunting, because they knew it was the right thing to do for patients. It was a great honor to extend invitations to our three new Board members—Dr. Tom Roberts, Mr. Ira Elegant, and Mr. Michael Gordon—who bring resolve, new insights, and inspiration. ASCO and the Foundation have a long tradition of the finest volunteers in the land, without question. They have a deep dedication and selflessness; they leave their egos checked at the door and enter for a common good. Working under those circumstances and with these very special people is a great honor.

AC: In addition to your volunteer work, you’re also a financial supporter. Why is it important to you to give back?
Dr. Murphy: I don’t consider it giving back. The word “philanthropy” comes from the Greek word philos, which means “to love.” I find it a great joy to invest in the Conquer Cancer Foundation, the future of ASCO, and the lives of patients with cancer. If we accept that ASCO is only here to receive our dues and perform functions for us, we are living in but two dimensions. By truly participating and accepting the invitation to contribute, you step into the third dimension, the dimension of “I believe. I believe in the future, I believe in my profession, I believe in the Society that represents me and my colleagues.” It’s not enough to give that belief lip service. We need to get up off of our good intentions, make that meaningful financial contribution, and watch the third dimension of life begin to unfold. I extend the invitation to every single ASCO member to contribute to a future where patients are treated better because of our Society.

AC: What priorities will keep you busy through December, when your term is complete?
Dr. Murphy: One of the things that every Chair devotes him- or herself to as their term in office comes to a close is the seamless passage of responsibilities and the support of their successor. One of the things I look forward to, and am already doing, is working very closely with someone I deeply admire, who is going to become our new Chair as of January 1, 2013. I will pass him the baton with great honor and pleasure. [Editor’s note: The incoming Foundation Chair will be officially announced in September 2012.]

Before the end of the year, we hope to add a very important fourth new director to the Foundation’s Board, and have every anticipation of being able to achieve that. We will also conduct our third annual Conquer Cancer Foundation retreat, where we will examine the year past, assess what has been successful or not successful, and set priorities for the coming year.

Finally, a major initiative that ASCO’s Board has undertaken—perhaps the single largest initiative in the history of ASCO—is the rapid learning system. In order for this system, called CancerLinQ, to fulfill its destiny to provide rapid learning for physicians and immediate benefits for patients, it will need significant funding. We on the Foundation Board will continue to work very hard on bringing in the necessary funds for ASCO leadership to test-fly a prototype of CancerLinQ in 2013.

Dr. Murphy is the Founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AlphaMed Consulting, Inc., which provides strategic support for academic cancer centers and cancer drug development programs of global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. He has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2005.