Posted on October 24, 2011

MD Anderson Surpasses $1.2 Billion 'Making Cancer History' Campaign Goal

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has announced that it has completed its largest fundraising campaign ever.

Making Cancer History: The Campaign to Transform Cancer Care raised $1.215 billion to help fund a wide range of cancer research initiatives at the center; an endowment to support the education and training of the next generation of cancer research specialists; a new 600,000-square-foot research facility that will help support personalized cancer care and accelerate the pace of pancreatic cancer research; and other key areas within the institution. In total, the campaign received more than 630,000 gifts, with some 200 donors contributing more than 70 percent of the total. Major contributors to the campaign included BP Capital Management chairman T. Boone Pickens, who committed $50 million with the stipulation that MD Anderson raise another $500 million before putting the funds to use, which it did within three years.

Launched in September 2006, the campaign reached its original $1 billion target in August 2010. At that time, a nineteen-member campaign executive committee recommended increasing the goal to $1.2 billion to fund still unmet needs and moved the campaign's end date to December 31, 2011.

"The campaign's early completion gives MD Anderson researchers and clinicians the means to make significant progress in the fight against cancer," said MD Anderson president Ronald DePinho. "And completing the goal during difficult economic times of decreasing federal and state funding reflects an incredible outpouring of confidence in MD Anderson as the premier cancer hospital in the world. With the philanthropic support of those who share our passion, we'll make major progress in preventing, detecting, and treating cancer. Together, we have the opportunity to do great good for humanity."