Transforming Cancer Care: Phil and Penny Knight Donate $2 Billion to OHSU for Breakthrough Research

Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny, have made a groundbreaking commitment of $2 billion to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). This donation, announced recently, is the largest single gift ever made to a college in the United States, surpassing former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s donation of $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins in 2018.

This generous support follows their previous contribution of $500 million to OHSU, which they made a decade ago with a matching conditions attached. The recent gift will greatly enhance OHSU’s capabilities in cancer research and patient care.

During the announcement, Dr. Brian Druker, a renowned cancer researcher, expressed gratitude to the Knights, emphasizing the personal impact of such support. He said, “You remind us that this fight is personal.” Oregon Governor Tina Kotek highlighted that this donation marks a significant milestone for OHSU. She stated, “For OHSU, for Portland, and for Oregon, there will always be the time before today and after today.”

The funding aims to bolster the Knight Cancer Institute’s mission to find new cancer treatments and improve patient experiences. It will allow for a shift to a self-governed model, providing it with the autonomy to recruit faculty and set its compensation. Dr. Druker will return as the institute’s inaugural president, having previously stepped down due to financial concerns at OHSU.

Dr. Druker is acclaimed for his work on Imatinib, a drug that has turned what was once a fatal leukemia diagnosis into a manageable condition. This new funding will create about 180 faculty positions, showcasing the Knights’ commitment to research support.

One key focus of the funding is to simplify the cancer care experience for patients. Dr. Druker noted the burdens that current systems place on patients, such as navigating insurance and appointments. With the new resources, OHSU plans to assign navigators to help patients manage their care more effectively. He estimates that the number of patients served could double in the coming years.

This announcement comes at a critical time for OHSU. The institution has faced financial strains recently, including a loss of $100 million over the last two fiscal years and layoffs of hundreds of employees. Federal funding cuts to health research pose additional challenges, heightening the importance of the Knights’ donation.

This gift not only offers vital support for research but also shields OHSU from the adverse effects of federal budget cuts related to healthcare. Dr. Druker remarked on the timely nature of this assistance, highlighting both its generosity and its necessity.

At the event, two of Dr. Druker’s long-time patients shared their stories. Judy Orem, diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in 1995, credited the drug Gleevec, developed through Dr. Druker’s research, with saving her life. Rob Shick, another CML survivor, echoed her sentiments, stating, “Phil Knight has always invested in winners. Judy and I are proof that [Druker] is a winner.”

This landmark donation is poised to redefine cancer research and care in Oregon, providing hope to countless patients and a brighter future for OHSU’s medical endeavors.

For further details on the impact of charitable donations in the health sector, you can explore resources from the National Institutes of Health, which outline the importance of private funding in advancing medical research and improving patient outcomes.

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