This press release contains dated information and should be used for background only.
The University of Kansas Medical Center officially has renamed its cancer research organization the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute. The new name reflects the commitment of $20 million by the Kansas Masonic Foundation to support cancer research on the KUMC campus.
Founded in 1996 as the Kansas Cancer Institute, the cancer research arm of the School of Medicine has been a leader in cancer research, primarily in the areas of breast cancer, cancer prevention and control and drug development.
Approval of the name change came from the Kansas Board of Regents.
The gifts by the Topeka-based Kansas Masonic Foundation are being used to help the institute achieve its goal to become a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center. NCI, a division of the National Institutes of Health, awards the designation to cancer centers for the quality and level of their laboratory and clinical research, education and outreach activities. At KU, clinical care for cancer patients is provided through the Kansas Cancer Center in the University of Kansas Hospital. Being designated as an NCI center would give the University of Kansas Medical Center the ability to recruit scientists and physicians of the highest stature and lead to the potential for increased federal funding for cancer research. It would also provide the public access to many new clinical trials and treatment options that are available only to NCI designated centers.
"It is fitting that the Masons' name become part of the institute's name because they have been critical to our ability to grow cancer research in Kansas," said Dr. Donald Hagen, executive vice chancellor of the University of Kansas Medical Center.
"Working together, the Masons and the cancer research program have accomplished a great deal in helping Kansans prevent and fight cancer. Going forward as the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute, people throughout the state will know that, even with a growing national reputation, we continue to focus on bringing the benefits of cancer research to Kansas," added Dr. Hagen.
Jeffrey L. Sowder, president of the board of the Kansas Masonic Foundation, said the foundation was proud of its long association with KU's cancer research.
"Having our name on such an important organization gives tremendous satisfaction to every Kansas Mason," he said. "Our partnership will receive more prominence as the institute moves toward NCI designation, something we're very excited about."
Established in 1966, the Kansas Masonic Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization that supports charitable, educational and scientific programs. Voluntary gifts and endowments from Kansas Masons and their families and friends fund the foundation.
The gifts from the foundation are part of KU First: Invest in Excellence, the largest fund-raising campaign in KU history. KU Endowment is conducting KU First on behalf of KU through 2004 to raise in excess of $600 million for scholarships, fellowships, professorships, capital projects and program support. KU Endowment serves as the independent, non-profit fund-raising and fund-management organization for KU.
The Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute is an integral part of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, fostering collaborations among numerous departments at KUMC, the University of Kansas in Lawrence, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and other life sciences research facilities in the area. The scientists and physicians affiliated with KMCRI are dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of cancer patients and enhancing cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment by providing the resources and infrastructure necessary to promote interdisciplinary basic, clinical, and population-based cancer research at KUMC.