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Kansas
Masons are understandably proud as they celebrate their accomplishment of
having reached and exceeded their pledge of $15 million to the University of
Kansas Cancer Center for cancer research.
Not only did they reach their goal but they did it nearly one year
early.
Jeff Sowder, president of the Kansas Masonic Foundation and
chair of the campaign, announced to Kansas Masons through their annual mailing
sent in April that, with the recent $2 million gift from the Mark and Bette
Morris Family Foundation, their total gifts to the KU Cancer Center have
reached to more than $15.3 million.
It was in November 2003 that the Kansas Masonic Foundation
made a five-year pledge of $15 million via the Partnership for Life
Campaign to help KU in the fight against cancer. The University of Kansas Medical Center
recognized the Mason’s generosity by naming the research wing of their cancer
center the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute. That pledge brought the Foundation’s total
support for cancer research at KU, which started in 1975, to more than $20
million.
“The Masons of Kansas have made a great impact on the KU
Cancer Center”, said KMF President Jeff Sowder.
“We are extremely proud of the success of our Partnership for Life
Campaign. Kansas Masons and
friends have been generous in their giving.
I told the Masons in my letter that our campaign has concluded, but our
partnership with the KU Cancer Center is lifelong, and we will continue our
efforts until there is a cure for this dreaded disease. We must keep the gifts coming!”
The ultimate goal is to assist the KU Cancer Center in
achieving National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation – a designation that will
not only benefit Kansas residents but patients
across the central Midwest region.
The Partnership for
Life Campaign had a who’s-who list of Kansas notables serving
as honorary chairs including Governor Kathleen Sebelius, former U.S.
Senator Bob Dole; U.S. Senator Pat Roberts; and Kansas notables Mike Michaelis,
Wichita; Joe Self, Wichita; Ross Beach, Lawrence/Hays; Harry Craig, Topeka;
Jack Dicus, Topeka; Dave Lindstrom, Overland Park; and Bill Snyder, Manhattan.
“The funds raised by Kansas Masons will help advance cancer
awareness and research throughout the region”, said Roy
Jensen, M.D., Director of Kansas Masonic Cancer Research
Institute and of the KU Cancer Center. “The
Institute seeks to bring to KU Cancer Center new cancer research programs, new
resources for determining and providing more effective treatments, and greater
opportunities to collaborate with the finest researchers around the world to
conquer all forms of cancer,” said Dr. Jensen, who is a Kansas Mason.
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