Farmer Family Foundation Donates $10 Million to Cincinnati Cancer Center
CINCINNATI – Feb. 12, 2018 – The Farmer Family Foundation has made a $10 million gift to support cancer research and care through the Cincinnati Cancer Center (CCC), a collaboration of the University of Cincinnati (UC), UC Health and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. With a focus on faculty recruitment and research, the gift will advance the CCC’s effort to achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center designation.
“The health of everyone in our region is a top priority,” says Scott D. Farmer, Chairman and CEO of Cintas Corporation and trustee with the Farmer Family Foundation. “Cancer touches all of us in some form, too often with devastating results. It’s imperative that we join this effort, and contribute how we can, to make both an immediate and long-term impact on the fight against cancer right here in our community.”
In 2018, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 1.7 million new cancer cases across the U.S.—with Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana accounting for more than 131,000 new incidents of the disease.
“We face the daunting challenge of cancer in our community, and it will take all of us working together to achieve better outcomes," said Richard Lofgren, MD, president and CEO of UC Health. "We are incredibly grateful for partners such as the Farmer Family Foundation, and their gift will have a critical impact upon our entire community.”
Growing the depth and breadth of the cancer research enterprise is a key focus area for the CCC, as its researchers seek to understand the genetic causes, cellular mechanisms and environmental impacts of cancer across the lifespan.
The Farmer Foundation’s gift will support the CCC’s state-of-the-art research technology while also attracting top faculty investigators to conduct their research here in our region.
“By bringing together expertise from a range of disciplines, we can further elevate the bench-to-bedside research, innovation, and exceptional care that will make a difference for our patients,” said Michael Fisher, president and CEO of Cincinnati Children’s. “This wonderful gift from the Farmer family is a welcome and timely boost to this effort.”
Created in 2011, the Cincinnati Cancer Center links the basic science, clinical research and cancer care teams of UC Health, UC and Cincinnati Children’s. The center has launched a fundraising campaign for the research enhancements and multi-year application required for NCI designation.
“For us, NCI designation is about saving lives and raising Cincinnati to an elite national playing field of scientific innovation,” said UC President Neville G. Pinto. “It’s very meaningful to partner with Cincinnati families like the Farmers, and to have tangible support to help us reach the important goals we’re setting. This community-wide mission is what sets us apart across the country.”
The urgency of achieving NCI designation reflects the role of the current 69 NCI centers: in addition to receiving the bulk of federal funding for advanced research, NCI-designated centers draw the nation’s top scientific talent and provide their surrounding communities with greater access to clinical trials.
“Through the Cincinnati Cancer Center, we see an opportunity to support advances in the science that will change cancer care for generations,” says Amy Farmer Joseph, trustee with the Farmer Family Foundation. “It’s a very meaningful partnership for our family. We hope others will join us and make a positive impact on the health of everyone in our region.”
“When we have such a broad base of support—in the form of generous partners like the Farmer Foundation, and from passionate providers and volunteers working every day in our institutions and community—we have a tremendous opportunity to change the face of health outcomes and patient care in Cincinnati,” says UC Foundation President Peter Landgren. “We’re honored to be a part of such commitment.”
Joining the CCC in leading the campaign is a team of 47 active community volunteers, led by John Barrett, chairman, president and CEO of Western & Southern Financial Group; Eileen Barrett, community leader; John Hayden, president and CEO of CJH Consulting, and Carrie Hayden, community leader.
“I’m so pleased to celebrate this partnership with the Farmer Foundation. This gift shows that they truly understand the transformational impact that NCI designation can have in Cincinnati,” says John Barrett, campaign co-chair and chairman, president and CEO of Western & Southern Financial Group. “With their support, and with other leaders who have already joined our mission, we can make a leap forward for the health of our region.”
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About the Cincinnati Cancer Center
The Cincinnati Cancer Center is a joint effort of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and UC Health. The Center seeks to be a leading institution with world-class scientists and clinicians to provide the best possible cancer diagnostics, research, treatment and care for the people in the Tri-State region and the nation.