At first glance, Sidney Farber may not fit the criteria of what is expected in the Seevak Competition. He did not work to improve tolerance or human rights or even take a courageous stand for justice. However, Dr. Sidney Farber embodies the aspects of the Seevak Competition in his commitment to improving mankind, not through fighting for justice, but fighting for the lives of others.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world and has claimed countless lives worldwide. Dr. Farber spent his life working to find a cure for cancer, especially leukemia in children. He was truly a pioneer in his field; he became known as the father of the modern era of chemotherapy for his extensive research in the field and discovered aminopterin, a foliate antagonist that allows leukemia to go into remission. Because of his groundbreaking work, a prognosis of cancer is no longer a death sentence. The survival rate for childhood leukemia has increased from about 50% in 1970 to more than 80% today. As time progresses, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), the institution started by Dr. Farber (and eventually named for him), continues in Sidney Farber's mission to find a cure for cancer.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's ultimate goal is the eradication of
cancer, AIDS, and related diseases and the fear that they engender.