The Harris Halperin Memorial Lectureship

In Pediatric Oncology

Photo Portrait of Harris Halperin

In Loving Memory

Harris, who would have graduated from Ardsley High School in 2019, was the consummate student-athlete. He was an A student, admitted to the National Honor Society, and was a member of the DECA Business Club and the Debate Club. Harris cared deeply about his classmates and teammates on and off the field. He would always put others first and was known by many for his radiant disposition.

Harris played at the Varsity level for boys’ soccer and skiing and as a member of the boys’ lacrosse team.  As a sophomore in 2016 he was named the first Athlete of the Week for boys’ soccer, was awarded Most Improved Skier on the Ski Team. He was also posthumously named a Captain of the 2018-2019 Varsity boys’ soccer team. The team started every game a man down in honor of Harris en route to a 15-3 season. Harris was posthumously named co-MVP of the league.

​Upon being diagnosed in June, 2017 at age 17, with a rare T-cell Lymphoma, Harris's first course of treatment was to undergo a very powerful chemotherapy regimen at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.  During that summer, he spent a total of 25 nights in the hospital -- 4 rounds of chemo, each consisting of a 5-night stay, plus another 5-night stay as a precautionary measure due to a fever and low counts. We are forever grateful for the wonderful care provided by his treating doctor, Dr. Maria Luisa Sulis, and her team.

Harris was a vibrant, intelligent, funny, loving and caring son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. He faced his illness head-on and was involved in understanding all aspects of his treatment. He demonstrated strength and courage beyond anyone's expectations.

The Harris Halperin Memorial Lectureship

Thanks to your support, we have successfully established the Harris Halperin Memorial Lectureship in loving memory of Harris. Our annual lecture series will focus on the topic of Pediatric Oncology, under the direction of the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, currently Darrell Yamashiro, MD, PhD.

This endowed lectureship allows the Division to host lectures by medical professionals from around the globe to discuss groundbreaking new ideas and emerging technologies related to the care of pediatric cancer patients. The lectureship is also an important component in helping to educate the broader medical community and foster greater awareness of the needs of young cancer patients.

​As an endowed fund, this dynamic lecture series will be able to sustain itself and pave the way for promising young doctors to follow in the footsteps of Columbia University’s most accomplished physician-scientists. The named lectureship also enables the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation to continue leading the way in clinical care and scientific discovery, and in providing outstanding care for its young patients.

​The inaugural lecture was held in May 2019 with Dr. Howard Weinstein, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, as our first speaker.

Requesting Your Support

With your generous contributions, we have successfully reached our goal of $50,000 to endow and name the lecture series in memory of Harris.

​Though fully endowed, we do hope you will consider renewing your support to help the Lectureship continue to grow. Further growth will grant the Division of Pediatric Oncology more flexibility in planning and hosting the annual Halperin Lecture. 

​You may make your gift online using the Donate button below. If you would prefer to send a check, please make it payable to Columbia University and note "Halperin Lectureship" in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to the following address:

​Columbia University Office of Development
Attn: Natalie Schweizer
516 West 168th Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10032