The Elizabeth and George L. Sanborn Foundation for the Treatment and Cure of Cancer (The Sanborn Foundation) is a philanthropic foundation based in Arlington Massachusetts, offering financial assistance to Arlington residents living with cancer.
History
The Sanborn Foundation was established in 1998 through the bequest of the late Arlington resident, George Lowe Sanborn, in memory of his wife Elizabeth, who died of cancer in 1931. George’s will stipulated that when his last heir died, the money from the bequest be used to build a hospital in Arlington for the treatment of cancer. In 1996, the Massachusetts Probate Court ruled that the money in the trust (not enough to build a hospital) be used to create a charitable organization for Arlington residents living with cancer, and the Sanborn Foundation was born.
About George L. Sanborn
George Lowe Sanborn was born in Great Falls, NH, in 1858. His entire professional life was spent working in the hospitality industry, starting as a clerk in Boston and eventually owning hotels in New York City. In 1892, a widower with two small children, George married Elizabeth Sullivan. The family lived in Cambridge, Albany, and Manhattan before settling in Arlington MA, in a home at 92 Lake Street that is still there today. Elizabeth Sanborn died of cancer in 1931 and George remained in Arlington until his death on January 24, 1938. George and Elizabeth’s gravesites can be found in Arlington’s St. Paul Cemetery.
Board of Directors
The Sanborn Foundation is made up of nine volunteer Board Members and Officers.
Members of the Board of Directors are Arlington residents and would be honored to talk to their neighbors, friends and local acquaintances about the work we do.
Lourie August is a longtime social worker at the Arlington Council on Aging who first became familiar with Sanborn when the Council on Aging started receiving funds to provide transportation to Arlington residents for cancer-related medical appointments.
Lourie has lived in Arlington since 1996 with her spouse and two sons. “I value Arlington for its public transportation, community spirit and proximity to both city life and green space.”
She joined the board in 2001.
Donna Eidson‘s varied career has included work as a reporter and editor, director of philanthropy for Polaroid Corporation, and, most recently, director of Community Education for Arlington Public Schools, a position she left in 2016. She loves to bike and hike, sail with her husband, and enjoy the company of friends and family. She and her husband Bill have lived in Arlington since 1987.
“Moving to Arlington, we found a place where we wanted to establish roots, raise our son, and contribute to the vibrancy of this wonderful community. My work with Arlington Community Education and Sanborn has given me that chance. I feel lucky to live here.”
She joined the board in 2015.
Dan Brosnan is a lifelong Arlington resident with more than 25 years in technology businesses as a finance executive, and who currently serves as chief financial officer of NetBrain Technologies.
He and his wife Debbie have three teenage children, and Dan loves coaching their youth soccer, softball, and basketball teams, while also volunteering backstage at their theater performances. Dan is also a member of the Board of Directors at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club.
“I am proud to be able to give back to the people of Arlington through my work with Sanborn and the Boys and Girls Club.” He joined the board in 2009
Richard Belofsky has lived in Arlington for more than 30 years. He and his wife Mary Beth Giffune raised their three daughters here. He is honored to give back to Arlington residents as a board member of the Sanborn Foundation.
Richard enjoys sailing and is a coach for the Special Olympics sailing program, as well as serving on their Planned Giving Committee.
Richard joined the Board in 2012
Cristina Holt, MD, and her husband were both working full time when they moved to Arlington in 2003 with two young children.
“We didn’t know anyone in town but found the community to be so welcoming.” A board-certified internal medicine physician at Tufts Community Medical Center and cancer survivor, “I feel a special connection with the recipients of the Sanborn Foundation and, as a physician, I feel privileged to be able to pass on information about the Foundation to my patients.”
She joined the board in 2013.
Victoria Palmer-Erbs, PhD, RN is a board-certified, adult psychiatric-mental health clinical nurse specialist who has worked in medical, oncology, and psychiatric clinical settings. “I have also been directly affected by a family member’s cancer diagnosis and know that this time creates special challenges for patients and family members. Working with Sanborn allows me to repay the many kindnesses and support that I received during the time my family member was being treated for cancer.”
A longtime resident of Arlington, she and her husband Chu enjoy trips to the pool, yoga, traveling, and staying in touch with family and friends.
She joined the board in 1999.
Robin Schoenthaler, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist with Massachusetts General Hospital who works at the MGH Department of Radiation Oncology at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. She takes care of women with breast cancer and gynecologic tumors and runs Emerson’s Medical Education Program.
She is also the mother of two young adult sons who were born and raised in Arlington. In her spare time, she is a writer and storyteller, and has been involved in town and school politics, First Parish UU, and Town Meeting.
“What Sanborn accomplishes is unique—there is nothing like it anywhere in the United States—and it brings such incredible comfort and reassurance to patients and families.”
She joined the board in 2017.
With more than 40 years’ experience as a CPA, tax attorney, and law school lecturer, Kevin Wall is a founding member of the Sanborn Foundation Board (1998). Kevin and his wife Barbara Downey have lived in Arlington for more than 35 years, and its where they raised three children, all educated in the Arlington Public Schools. He was prompted to work with Sanborn because of the impact cancer had on his mother.
“I am honored to be able to help our community members focus on returning to good health and worry less about the financial toll of the disease.” Kevin has coached youth sports, and enjoys boating and traveling with his family, often accompanied by their dogs.
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