SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Huntsman
Cancer Foundation (HCF) announced that several individuals and
business organizations have committed a total of $40 million to support a proposed major building
expansion of Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U). The announcement of
these historic gifts was made by Peter
Huntsman, HCF Chairman and CEO, at HCF's annual gala held
this evening at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.
The lead donors to the project include Spencer and Kristen Kirk in honor of
Kathryn F. Kirk, The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Humanitarian Aid Fund and doTERRA International.
"This expansion was my father's vision and something he worked
on prior to his death. He was always looking forward to plan what
was needed next to help people with cancer," said Huntsman. "Our
family is honored to continue to carry his and my mother's vision
forward to ease the suffering caused by cancer. We are immensely
grateful and humbled by the generous support of the donors who have
helped realize my father's dream to eradicate cancer from the face
of the earth."
The funding will support a proposal to significantly expand the
Cancer Hospital at HCI, part of the University
of Utah Health system. The proposed addition would extend
from the north end of HCI's existing buildings on the campus of the
U of U in Salt Lake City. The
expansion will be called, The Kathryn F. Kirk Center for
Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women's Cancers at Huntsman Cancer
Institute, and add an additional 100,000 square feet to HCI's
cancer campus, including up to 50 additional inpatient rooms and
workspace for oncology specialists. The new proposed structure
would also expand the number of procedure, consultation and
outpatient exam rooms and would increase the size of the HCI's
Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins
Wellness and Integrative Health Center.
"This expansion reflects HCI's continuing commitment to serve
cancer patients and to provide access to the compassionate,
state-of-the-art care of our comprehensive cancer center," said
HCI's CEO, Mary Beckerle, PhD.
"Growth of our facilities is critical to allow us to reach the
patients and families in need of our services. We are extremely
fortunate to have the passionate support of so many generous donors
for our lifesaving work."
The plan for the remaining project funds of the estimated
$80 million project will be finalized
in the coming months. The next step is a review of the proposal by
appropriate approval bodies, including the U of U Board of
Trustees, the Utah State Legislature and key U of U building
oversight committees. The proposed project timeline estimates
construction would begin in December
2019, with an opening planned for fall 2022.
About Huntsman Cancer Foundation
Huntsman
Cancer Foundation's sole purpose is to support the mission
of Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the
University of Utah. HCI is the official
cancer center of Utah. The cancer
campus includes a state-of-the-art cancer specialty hospital as
well as two buildings dedicated to cancer research. HCI treats
patients with all forms of cancer and is recognized among the best
cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News and World
Report. As the only National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the
Mountain West, HCI serves the largest geographic region in the
country, drawing patients from Utah, Nevada,
Idaho, Montana, and beyond. HCI scientists have
identified more genes for inherited cancers than any other center
in the world, including genes responsible for breast, ovarian,
colon, head, and neck cancers, along with melanoma. HCI manages the
Utah Population Database, the largest genetic database in the
world, with information on more than 11 million people linked to
genealogies, health records and vital statistics. The institute was
founded by Jon M. and Karen
Huntsman.
Contact:
Debby Rogers
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801-587-7639
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SOURCE Huntsman Cancer Foundation