University receives $65 million for Cancer Center

Minnesota Masonic Charities gives largest gift in U history

With University President Robert Bruininks (left) at the gift announcement were Elizabeth Malkerson, president and CEO of the Minnesota Medical Foundation, and Eric J. Neetenbeek, president/CEO, Minnesota Masonic Charities.

Photo by Patrick O'Leary

By Martha Coventry

April 10, 2008

Today the University of Minnesota received its largest gift ever--$65 million from the Minnesota Masonic Charities--to the University of Minnesota Cancer Center. With this pledge, Masonic support of cancer research and care at the University of Minnesota over the past 53 years totals $100 million. In recognition of this record-breaking gift, the University of Minnesota Cancer Center will now be called the Masonic Cancer Center.

"Our mission is to use our knowledge and skills for a single purpose: to find cures and develop better ways for preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer," says Douglas Yee, director. "Our continued partnership with Minnesota Masonic Charities and this extremely generous gift will allow us to take the Masonic Cancer Center to the next level. We will be able to significantly expand our capabilities in cancer research, treatment, and education to move closer toward achieving our mission. We thank the Masons for their confidence in us."

The legacy of support provided by the Masons has transformed cancer research and care at the University, which has been felt by physicians and patients alike.

Richard Andolshek was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 53. When presented with the task of choosing a treatment center, he sought the best care available. He called nationally recognized cancer treatment centers recommended by his internist, and each phone call led him back to Minnesota.

"The word on the medical street is that this institution is one of the best in the world. ... They not only met my needs, but they met my wife's needs as well."

"I called [the University of Texas] M.D. Anderson [Cancer Center], and when they found out I had connected with Dr. [Kenneth] Koeneman at the University of Minnesota, they told me there was no need to come to Texas," Andolshek says. He heard again and again that the University of Minnesota Cancer Center and Koeneman were one of the best. "The word on the medical street is that this institution is one of the best in the world," he adds.

Andolshek proceeded with treatment at the University of Minnesota and could not be more pleased with his care. Post-surgery, he says that he is functioning normally and without complication.

"I'm cancer-free today," he says.

Each aspect of patient care that Andolshek received, beginning with the nutrition program pre-surgery and continuing through the support groups post-surgery, "has been wonderful," he says. "They not only met my needs, but they met my wife's needs as well."

Koeneman, who treated Andolshek, reinforced the importance of giving to basic and clinical research. "Unrestricted giving to the University is critical to achieve and maintain a margin of excellence," he says.

The newly renamed Masonic Cancer Center was founded in 1991 to provide a collaborative environment for researchers to work on the causes, prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer. Its several hundred members are some of the world's leaders in research on bone marrow transplantation, childhood cancers, cancers of the breast and bone, cancer genetics, tobacco research, immunology, new treatment development, and epidemiology.