Campaign 2011 - Kansas Masons Continue Support for KU Cancer Center
Last year Kansas Masons through the Kansas Masonic Foundation completed our $15 million pledge to the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute.  In total we have given more than $20 million to the KU Cancer Center since we started our support in 1974.  KU has relied on Masons, and Masons have more than exceeded their expectations.

But we didn’t spend much time celebrating because we realized we had more work to do.   Our recent gifts have been instrumental to the University of Kansas Cancer Center as they make application to become a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.  It has been a long, tough, and expensive journey but we will ultimately see a dream come to reality when they make application on September 25, 2011.

Our Foundation Board recently approved a new commitment to the KU Cancer Center.  Since KU is making application for NCI designation in September 2011, our new campaign is Campaign 2011.  We are pledging $2,011,000 by September 2011.  Our gifts over the next two years and the generosity of Kansas Masons and friends will help us accomplish our new pledge to the KMCRI.

Masons have been heralded as the key to getting the KU Cancer Center in position to make application.  governor_january_2009_group_shot_96_dpi.jpgFormer Governor Sebelius at a news conference in late January 2009 publicly thanked the Masons for the $15 million we raised over the past four years.  It was at this news conference that KSU President Jon Wefald and KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway signed a formal memorandum of understanding to work toward earning National Cancer Institute designation for the KU Medical Center.  Pictured are Exec. Dir. Mark Nelson and Dev. Director Nancy Lindberg in the group at the news conference with former Governor Sebelius, Chancellor Hemenway and President Wefald.  Sebelius called the cancer research agreement a model of collaboration.  She said that when Kansans join forces and focus, the chances for success multiply many times over.  We can be pleased that Kansas Masons have played such an important role. 

Take time to make your gift to the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute through the Foundation.  If you haven’t responded to our spring mailer, please make your C-Club gift today.  Click here to download a kmf_campaign_2011_pledge_form.  Thank you.