"I am deeply honored to serve as the Executive Director of The Bakewell Foundation and to continue advancing the vision and legacy of the Bakewell family. Like so many, my life has been forever changed by cancer, and that personal experience drives my commitment to the Foundation's mission: supporting innovative, cutting-edge research with the power to transform lives and defeat cancer."
Ginny Meier
Executive Director | Cancer Research Advocate | Strategic Connector
Origins: 1986–2005
Local Roots. Broad Commitment.
The Bakewell Foundation began as the Edward L. Bakewell Jr. Family Foundation, which was established in 1986 by Edward L. Bakewell Jr. to support civic and medical causes in the St. Louis area. Soon after its establishment, Edward L. Bakewell III began overseeing the foundation to continue his father’s vision and philanthropic mission.
Strategic Shift: 2007–2015
Redefining Purpose Through Early Cancer Detection
In 2007, the Foundation made a pivotal move—channeling its resources into science-led philanthropy, starting with a grant to the Canary Foundation at Stanford, the world’s first nonprofit focused exclusively on the early detection of cancer.
Moving forward, the Foundation continued to forge strategic scientific partnerships with cutting-edge scientists and institutions dedicated to the early detection, intervention, and eradication of cancer-related diseases.
Scaling Impact: 2016–Present
National Partnerships. Global Potential.
Over time, the Foundation’s work evolved into long-term commitments with elite cancer institutions. It prioritized translational research and early-stage investigators pursuing bold, next-generation solutions.
The Foundation’s grants have supported a range of pioneering efforts, including breakthroughs in T-cell immunotherapy, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, and brain cancer. The Foundation also backed research into less-invasive methods of cancer detection, as well as the study of cancer tumors in living human organs maintained outside of the body—enabling researchers to observe tumor behavior and test treatments in real time.
While the Foundation supports major cancer centers and well-established labs, it also seeks out high-potential, early-stage projects. Whether through academic partnerships or biotech collaborations, the Foundation continues to pursue its mission: to defeat cancer.
Looking Ahead
The Bakewell Foundation continues to partner with world-class scientists and institutions pursuing bold, measurable breakthroughs in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. Guided by a belief in translational science and results-based research, the Foundation is focused on one goal: A world without cancer.