What was long expected is now official: Oregon Health & Science University has met its historic fundraising challenge, raising $500 million to trigger a matching donation by Phil and Penny Knight.
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Phil Knight, a Nike co-founder, and his wife Penny, helped reach the $1 billion goal by matching $500 million raised by OHSU, which they had promised to do if it could raise the amount by February 4, 2016.
The money will be used to support research into the early detection of cancer.
Knight, 77, called the achievement “a fabulous moment for OHSU, for people fighting cancer and for the state of Oregon”, adding: “Let me say this, for us to make this announcement on a program hosted by a person who so successfully fought cancer and became a symbol of hope for so many cancer victims, it’s really a special and nearly poetic moment for me, and we thank you”.
The OHSU fundraising includes $200 million in bonds approved by the Oregon Legislature and $100 million from Gert Boyle of Columbia Sportswear.
When Roberts asked Knight why this cause was so important to him and his wife, he explained that, shortly after he made his first pledge to OSHU, he was at a dinner event where a woman credited Druker with saving her son’s life.
The drug saved Katie Knudson’s life 13 years ago when she faced a race cancer diagnosis.
“He hides it well with his modesty”. “We are thankful to everyone who is making this goal a reality”. “But he’s a genius”.
Dr. Brian Druker, director of the institute, said meeting the Knight challenge is a relief. “And they’re going to win”, Knight added.
With this expansion, OHSU will also move forward with construction of two buildings ― a state-of-the-art cancer research facility designed from the ground up to support a new model of combining scientific disciplines to speed progress and new cancer care clinics for expanded clinical trials that will translate the scientific discoveries made by the team into next-generation detection tests, tools and treatments.
“We did not want to leave $500 million on the table”, he said. “I’m part of a triathlon and I just got off the bike”.
“On behalf of our employees – and the soon-to-be two million customers who trust us with their service – we are excited to be joining the many donors making a commitment to end cancer as we know it”, said John Marick, CEO of Consumer Cellular.
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