Markey Cancer Foundation Awards Nearly $800,000

Markey Cancer Foundation Awards Nearly $800,000

CONTACT: Amy Ratliff, (859) 257-3838, ext. 342

FOR RELEASE

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 11, 2007) − The Markey Cancer Foundation recently donated nearly $400,000 to the UK HealthCare Markey Cancer Center. That total was then matched by the Cigarette Excise Tax, resulting in almost $800,000 awarded to eight doctors at the Markey Cancer Center for specific research projects.

"The Markey Cancer Foundation is pleased to help fund these important projects to improve cancer care and further cancer research," said foundation president and CEO Dr. Randall G. Rowland.

The foundation awarded funding to doctors in multiple departments and disciplines. These included Karyn Esser (physiology), Kyung-Bo Kim (pharmacy), Natasha Kyprianou (urology), Mark Leggas (pharmacy), Dr. Jeffrey A. Moscow (pediatric oncology), Heather Pierce (hematology/oncology) and Dr. John R. van Nagell (gynecology/oncology).

"The Markey Cancer Foundation has a long history dedicated to supporting the cancer center and providing it with much-needed funds." said director of development Trish Sanderson Jaracz. "Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others."

The Markey Cancer Foundation’s support of the Markey Cancer Center depends on private contributions from individuals and organizations to maintain its leading role in innovative research initiatives, education for the public and health care professionals, and compassionate cancer care.

For 30 years, the foundation has been solely focused on generating funds for the Lucille Parker Markey Cancer Center, funneling financial assistance for research programs and supporting patient care. Originally established in 1978 as the McDowell Cancer Foundation, the Markey Cancer Foundation’s relationship to the cancer center is unique, dedicating its fund raising efforts to supporting only investigators conducting cancer research at UK. It is through the combined efforts of eight colleges, 28 departments and 150 faculty that physicians and scientists make headway in prevention, treatment and ultimately in finding cures for cancer.

Learn more about the Markey Cancer Foundation’s development initiatives and how you can contribute to advancing cancer care in the Commonwealth by contacting director of development Trish Sanderson Jaracz at (859) 323-6448 or by e-mail.