By Elana Gordon
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-703148.mp3
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas Masonic Foundation has surpassed its $15 million pledge to the University of Kansas Cancer Center. The foundation launched a 5 year campaign in 2003, but met its goal about a year ahead of schedule. Foundation President Jeff Sowder says the money will go towards research and towards supporting the center's long term goal of becoming a National Cancer Institute Designation.
Sowder: To get NCI designation, it takes a lot of money, a lot of time, and you have to greatly expand programs. And so this was just our part of it.
Sowder says an NCI designation would enable the Cancer Center to expand its research capacity and provide more advanced cancer care. KU aims to apply for designation within the next ten years. It renamed the Cancer Center's research wing the Kansas Masonic Research Institute in honor of the foundation's support.
Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
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