Binaytara Appoints Dr. David Aboulafia as Chair of the Board of Directors

Binaytara, a leading oncology nonprofit dedicated to minimizing cancer health disparities, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Aboulafia, MD, as chair of its board of directors. Dr. Aboulafia is a hematologist-oncologist at Virginia Mason Medical Center and at the University of Washington. He has served as a member of the Binaytara Board of Directors for the past five years, bringing a deep commitment to improving equitable access to cancer care and advancing global oncology.

“I am so proud to be affiliated with Binaytara and to lead our Board’s efforts,” said Dr. Aboulafia. “The work that Binaytara does will impact tens of thousands of people who do not currently have access to cancer care. Their vision of equitable cancer care resonates strongly with me, as do Binaytara’s efforts to advocate for those living with cancer. They are a leader in cancer education efforts, and they have a burgeoning research commitment. As they continue to grow with remarkable speed and effectiveness, their reach will continue to extend to those diagnosed with cancer, not just in middle- and low-income countries, but in the US as well.”

In his new role, Dr. Aboulafia will help guide the implementation of Binaytara’s strategic plan, which focuses on improving access to cancer care through education, advocacy, research, and global oncology programs. This work spans continuing education conferences across the U.S. and its free CME-gaming app called OncoBlast, policy advocacy for better cancer care access, especially for women, advancing research in global oncology and implementation science, and establishing cancer care programs in underserved communities, including cancer screening and health camps and a 200-bed comprehensive cancer hospital in Nepal.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Aboulafia lead our board during this critical period of growth,” said Dr. Binay Shah, president and co-founder of Binaytara. “His longstanding dedication to reducing cancer health disparities and his deep clinical expertise will be invaluable as we work to make high-quality cancer care more accessible worldwide.”

Dr. Aboulafia leads a distinguished board of directors, including Binaytara co-founders, Dr. Binay Shah and Tara Shah; Mark Pegram, MD, the Suzy Yuan-Huey Hung Endowed Professor of Medical Oncology at the Stanford University School of Medicine; and Andrea Veach, MD, a board-certified oncologist in hematology at Northwest Medical Specialties.

With cancer cases projected to increase globally by 77% by 2050, and underserved populations bearing a disproportionate amount of the burden, Binaytara’s mission to improve access to cancer care and reduce cancer health disparities has never been more urgent.