The largest single charitable donation in American history, given to the university research center, will be used to fight cancer. Businessman Phil Knight and his wife donated $2 billion to Oregon Health Science University (OHSU).
Nike founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny Knight, have laid the foundation for a new era in cancer research and treatment with this historic step.
The donated funds will be spent in several directions: a large portion will be used to develop early diagnostic capabilities. Specifically, the development of blood tests that will allow doctors to detect cancer at its earliest and therefore most curable stage.
Clinical trials will be accelerated and more patients will have access to cutting-edge therapies.
The third portion of the funds will be spent on simplifying treatment methods to make treatment much more conservative and tailored to the patient and their family.
The Knight couple has been long-time supporters of OHSU University. In 2008, they helped the university with $100 million. In 2013, they donated $500 million, which laid the foundation for innovative projects in precision medicine and cancer diagnostics.
Dr. Brian Druker, head of OHSU’s cancer center, who is known for revolutionary discoveries in leukemia treatment, stated that the Knights’ philanthropy has already accelerated breakthroughs that have completely changed the approach to cancer treatment.
Phil and Penny Knight’s fortune amounts to $35.4 billion, and they are among the largest donors in education and medicine. With another $2 billion donation, they are writing an entirely new history and giving hope of cure to millions of people.
Source: nytimes
