Biotech Visionary John F. Crowley to Keynote Emily Whitehead Foundation's 2026 Believe Ball in Philadelphia
核心洞察
John F. Crowley, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (搜索) (BIO), will keynote the Emily Whitehead Foundation (搜索)'s 2026 Believe Ball on Friday, September 25 in Philadelphia.
The Believe Ball serves as a bridge between patients fighting for their lives and industry leaders working to scale CAR T-cell therapy and other advanced treatments globally.
Crowley's personal journey includes co-founding Novazyme Pharmaceuticals (搜索) to develop an experimental treatment that saved his two children diagnosed with Pompe disease (搜索) in 1998.
The Emily Whitehead Foundation (搜索) announced on July 14, 2026 that John F. Crowley, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (搜索) (BIO), will deliver the keynote address at the Foundation's 2026 Believe Ball. The event is scheduled for Friday, September 25, in Philadelphia — the city where Emily Whitehead made medical history as the first child in the world to be saved by CAR T-cell therapy.
The Believe Ball, which attracts over 400 guests annually, serves as the Emily Whitehead Foundation (搜索)'s signature fundraiser. The event brings together cancer and rare disease patients and caregivers alongside scientists, developers, manufacturers, and healthcare providers from the advanced therapies community. Its mission is to expand support for patients and caregivers affected by cancer and rare diseases, and to advocate for all patients who can be treated with advanced therapies.
A Personal Mission Rooted in Rare Disease
Crowley's connection to the Foundation's mission is deeply personal. In 1998, two of his children were diagnosed with Pompe disease (搜索), a severe and often fatal neuromuscular disorder. Facing a race against time, Crowley co-founded Novazyme Pharmaceuticals (搜索) to pursue an experimental treatment — an effort that ultimately saved his children's lives. His family's journey was chronicled in his memoir Chasing Miracles: The Crowley Family Journey of Strength, Hope, and Joy and inspired the major motion picture Extraordinary Measures.
"John Crowley embodies the very essence of 'Believe,'" said Tom Whitehead, co-founder of the Emily Whitehead Foundation (搜索). "His story reminds us that with enough determination and innovation, we can change the course of medicine to save the lives of those we love. We look forward to welcoming John at the Believe Ball to share his vision with our growing community of Warrior patients, their families and industry partners."
Today, Crowley leads BIO, which represents and advocates for biotech companies and leaders in the United States and more than 35 countries. He holds degrees from Georgetown University, the University of Notre Dame Law School, and Harvard Business School, and formerly served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
The Emily Whitehead Story
At just five years old, Emily Whitehead was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (搜索). After relapsing twice and exhausting all standard treatment options, she was enrolled in a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy and became the first child in the world to receive the groundbreaking treatment. Today, Emily is thriving and cancer-free. The Emily Whitehead Foundation (搜索), founded by her parents, has become the leading voice of the patient for advanced therapies, driven to turn Emily's survivor story into countless more survivor stories.
Event Highlights and Community Impact
The Believe Ball will feature Stories of Hope — lived experiences shared by patients and families — as well as the presentation of the Foundation's Bill Ludwig Pioneer Award and Thomas G. Whitehead Beacon of Hope Award. The Nicole Gularte Fight for Cures Grant, an annual grant funding advanced therapies and patient support research, will also be presented. The evening includes dinner, entertainment, a silent auction, and "Activation Stations" with interactive activities for guests of all ages.
Novartis serves as the title sponsor of the Believe Ball, alongside other partners. Believe Ball sponsorships remain available, with all contributions supporting the Foundation's mission to activate cures so that countless more individuals like Emily Whitehead can survive and thrive.