mo’s initiative
a lasting impact
Established through a generous gift, the Maurice Campbell Initiative at MSK Kids honors the life of Maurice “Mo” Campbell, II and advances leading-edge research and novel treatments for people with desmoplastic small round cell tumors.
Mo and father, Maurice Campbell, Sr.
In his most challenging moments, Maurice “Mo” Campbell, II, prioritized others. Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer known as desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT) on his 15th birthday, Mo persevered through four and a half years of intensive treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).
“Mo was not only smart, strong, and beloved but also remarkably compassionate,” reflects Larry Robbins, the founder and CEO of Glenview Capital Management, a close family friend, and Mo’s hockey coach for the nationally ranked 15U New Jersey Avalanche. “While the hockey team aimed to uplift Mo’s spirits, he often ended up providing support to his peers and all of us. Despite the challenges, Mo continued to light up the room with his smile, undiminished by cancer. While there were certainly tough times, he selflessly dedicated himself to caring for others.”
DSRCT is a type of sarcoma, a group of cancers that arise in the bones and soft tissues, and most commonly develops in the belly or pelvis of adolescent boys. It is extremely rare, affecting fewer than 100 young people in the United States each year, and is difficult to cure. MSK was the first to characterize DSRCT nearly 35 years ago, and now we see more patients with this disease than any other hospital in the world. Mo’s parents, Maurice and Janet, and his sister, Grace, chose MSK for his treatment due to our extensive history in rare cancer research and compassionate care.
Maurice confronted the daunting challenge of this formidable cancer with a disheartening survival rate. Regardless of the overwhelming odds, the remarkable medical team at MSK defied our expectations, extending his life by over four years,” Janet says. “Throughout this journey, we formed a deeply connected relationship with his primary physician, the nurses, and staff, who consistently demonstrated exceptional care and compassion. Their collective kindness, empathy, and professionalism had a profound impact on us.”
Mo underwent numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and investigational treatments, a regimen that controlled the cancer for a few years. However, hope that Mo would overcome DSRCT faded in 2022 when his condition deteriorated. On December 20, 2022, at 19 years old, Mo passed away.
In his final wishes, Mo expressed to Larry a deep concern for his sister’s well-being and urged action against DSRCT, believing that no child should endure the suffering caused by cancer. In tribute to Mo and his family and as a continuation of their family’s philanthropic partnership with MSK, Larry and his wife, Sarahmay, made a generous $5 million gift to create the Maurice Campbell Initiative at MSK Kids to advance leading-edge research and uncover more effective therapies for young people with DSRCT.
A Gift of Hope
Maurice Campbell II with Coach Larry Robbins
Mo and mother, Janet Campbell
DSRCT is an orphan disease, a term applied to illnesses that are found in a small number of people and are often overlooked by the pharmaceutical industry. Philanthropic gifts are a vital source of funding for researchers working to make meaningful advancements for people facing these conditions.
“For an orphan disease like DSRCT, for which there is limited understanding, poor outcomes among patients, and inadequate industry partnership, philanthropy plays a key role in furthering progress,” explains MSK pediatric oncologist Emily Slotkin, MD, Mo’s doctor and an expert in DSRCT treatment and research. “The Maurice Campbell Initiative at MSK Kids gives us the flexibility to pursue the research that we think is most important.
Dr. Slotkin remembers Mo as a bright, capable, mature, and driven teenager who earned excellent grades throughout high school at Horace Mann School and at the University of Pennsylvania, all while receiving intensive cancer treatment. He contributed as a writer and later as an editor for The Record, Horace Mann’s long-standing weekly newspaper, and as a staff writer in college for The Daily Pennsylvanian. Mo’s passions extended beyond academics; his zest for life was evident in his love for food, fashion, and socializing with family and friends. His infectious enthusiasm even led Dr. Slotkin to share a dance with him on TikTok, creating cherished memories that reflect Mo’s vibrant spirit and genuine connection with those around him.
“Mo was an incredible person who was remarkably patient, understanding, and a true partner in his care despite the scale of our obstacles,” Dr. Slotkin says. “Mo and his family are extremely beloved by us, and his memory provides reason and strength for us to continue our work for DSRCT.”
Larry echoed Dr. Slotkin’s recollections of Mo: “If you think about the plight Mo went through, simply the demands on his energy, time, and mental health, the fact that his grades went up, not down, is remarkable. Mo made a comment to me, ‘In this time of turmoil, the only thing I can control is my mind, which is not affected by cancer.’ What an amazing sentiment and gift. His teammates and peers will have that lesson with them forever. When they encounter adversity, they can focus on the things they can control and build their way to success, even if it’s not on the path they expected.”
Embracing Mo’s Legacy
Mo and sister, Grace Campbell
The Maurice Campbell Initiative at MSK Kids embodies Mo’s compassion for others and his unwavering determination to persevere against all odds. United in their mission, the Campbell family believes that if he were still with us today, he would tirelessly advocate, fundraise, and provide comfort to those facing DSRCT and other rare cancers. They are leveraging their collective voice to raise awareness about DSRCT, aiming to inspire others to contribute, expedite research efforts, and ultimately, find a cure.
Grace quoted Maya Angelou when she eulogized her brother at a ceremony celebrating his life: “‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I can honestly say that my brother made his friends and family and anyone he touched feel like they were loved and special. My brother will forever be my favorite person. Saying goodbye to him was never the way that things were supposed to be, but here we are — and for him, we go on.”
The Campbell family finds strength and daily support in leaning on one another, and they are committed to fulfilling Mo’s legacy. They will continue to invest their time and effort into this initiative, and encourage others to join them and raise funds to advance DSRCT research at MSK. Please consider honoring Mo’s wishes for lasting impact by making a donation here.
Larry Robbins is the CEO of Glenview Capital, an investment partnership founded in 2001. Glenview drives performance through deep fundamental research and a long-term orientation with a philosophy to think and act like owners, inventing the investment style of Suggestivism. Prior to founding Glenview, Larry spent six years as an analyst and partner at Omega Advisors on their US equity long/short team and began his career at Gleacher & Company, a merger and advisory boutique in New York.
Larry graduated with honors from the Wharton School and Moore School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1992, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Engineering, with majors in accounting, finance, marketing, and systems engineering. Larry became a Certified Public Accountant in 1991 in his then home state of Illinois.
Larry is an avid supporter and contributor to the game of ice hockey, a passion shared with his seven children. After a playing career that culminated as a three year captain of the UPenn Mens Hockey Team, Larry coached youth hockey for 18 years at the North Jersey Avalanche, leading 11 teams to nationals at the Bantam and Midget levels while launching Longwood Hockey to accelerate player development. During his 8 year ownership of the USHL’s Chicago Steel, they won two Clark Cups and produced multiple first overall NHL draft picks and Hobey Baker Award winners, sent several coaches and GMs to the NHL/AHL/D1 College hockey and developed more than a hundred college and professional players. Recently Larry is launching the Florida Surf AAU Hockey Club, building the Palm Beach Breakers youth organization and supporting the PBNAF to build a new skating facility in Palm Beach Gardens Florida. He is the Executive Producer of Open Heart featured at the Tribeca Film Festival and streaming on Netflix.
About Coach Larry Robbins
Photo Credit: Fortune Magazine / Alex Flynn Getty Images
Through their Robbins Family Foundation, Larry and his wife, Sarahmay, are active supporters of education reform, athletic access and medical access and innovation, both in New York City and on the national level. Larry serves as Chairman of the Board of KIPP New York and Array Education and is a Board Member of the Robin Hood Foundation, Zearn and Relay Graduate School of Education. The Foundation supports organizations to grow accessibility to the game of hockey, including Hockey in Harlem and the Sled Rangers, and more broadly supports medical access and innovation at leading institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering and the Mayo Clinic. Recently, Larry and Sarahmay partnered with the Campbell family to create the Maurice Campbell Initiative at MSK Kids, honoring the life of Mo Campbell and funding cutting edge research and novel treatments for those afflicted with DSRCT and other rare pediatric cancers.
Larry recently moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida along with Sarahmay and their three young children.
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July 19, 2024
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