The Lustgarten Foundation Receives $10 Million Gift from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

The generous gift will support the Lustgarten Foundation’s efforts to revolutionize early detection of pancreatic cancer through artificial intelligence.

UNIONDALE, N.Y., Jun 15, 2025 — The Lustgarten Foundation today announced an extraordinary $10 million gift from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation—an investment of $2 million per year over five years. This transformative donation will support the Foundation’s efforts to revolutionize early detection of pancreatic cancer through artificial intelligence (AI). AI has recently shown great promise in identifying pancreatic tumors in CT scans, which are the most commonly used imaging method for the initial evaluation of the disease.

“The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation’s generosity is not only advancing critical research—it’s shaping the future of how we detect and treat pancreatic cancer,” said Linda Tantawi, CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation. “Their support allows us to think bigger, act faster, and build on the momentum of scientific discovery. It’s a powerful tribute to Paul M. Angell’s vision and a meaningful step toward changing the trajectory of this devastating disease.”

The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation is dedicated to fostering thriving, equitable communities where the arts can flourish and healthy oceans continue to sustain both human and animal life. Established in 2011 to honor the legacy of Paul M. Angell, the foundation reflects his compassion, creativity, and strong work ethic. In 2022, following the passing of Paul’s son —foundation founder and president, Charles T. Angell—from pancreatic cancer, the foundation expanded its focus to include support for pancreatic cancer research, carrying forward Charles’ passion and commitment to making a lasting difference.

“At the core of our philanthropy is a commitment to fostering innovation,” stated Kim Van Horn, CEO of the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Lustgarten Foundation and prominent scientists to pursue our shared goal of improving early detection in the realm of pancreatic cancer.”

The Lustgarten Foundation funds pancreatic cancer research where creative risks yield high-impact rewards to accelerate and expand life-saving treatment options. Since 2016, the foundation has supported the FELIX Program, an innovative project that uses AI to analyze thousands of CT scans and train computers to detect pancreatic tumors so small they may be missed by even the most skilled radiologists. Early results from FELIX are highly promising—demonstrating over 90% sensitivity and more than 85% specificity in identifying average-sized pancreatic tumors. This means the technology is proving effective in distinguishing between patients who have the disease and those who do not. Building on this success, the FELIX Program has inspired new studies aimed at advancing early detection. At Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Elliot Fishman, MD, is leading FELIX 2.0, a next-generation initiative integrating novel AI algorithms and advanced data analysis into the early detection and management of pancreatic cancer. Similarly, at Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Alan Yuille, PhD, is leading Felix Cevitas, a project specifically addressing the development of AI algorithms, building upon the FELIX Program’s goal to automate pancreatic cancer detection from CT scans.

Trustee and wife of Charles Angell, Sharon Angell, expressed her sentiments, stating, “Pancreatic cancer is a profoundly personal issue for our family and foundation. We firmly believe that artificial intelligence has the remarkable potential to revolutionize early detection methods. It is both an honor and a privilege to partner with the Lustgarten Foundation to drive progress and, most importantly, to bring hope to families facing this challenge. I am confident that Charles would share in this commitment as well.”

This landmark investment from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation marks a pivotal moment in transforming how pancreatic cancer is detected and treated. With continued advancements in AI-driven research and a growing commitment from visionary partners, the Lustgarten Foundation is forging ahead towards a future with pancreatic cancer cures.