Last modified: Monday, November 20, 2006
Indiana University Cancer Center receives $50 million gift from Melvin and Bren Simon
Facility to become IU Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 20, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Melvin and Bren Simon of Indianapolis have committed an extraordinary gift of $50 million to the Indiana University Cancer Center to support both cancer research and patient-care initiatives. The announcement of the gift was made today (Nov. 20) by IU President Adam W. Herbert. The cancer center research program and patient-care facilities, which are part of the IU Medical Center on the IUPUI campus, will be named the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center.
"Indiana University is deeply grateful for the philanthropy of Melvin and Bren Simon," said Herbert. "Their passion for helping others will have a major impact on the lives of Hoosier families for generations to come. Because of their support, faculty research in the IU Cancer Center will be accelerated and expanded in scope. The result will be the development of many more life-saving cures for all aspects of this dreaded disease. Their generosity will immediately move IU even higher among the ranks of the best cancer centers in America."
One half of the $50 million gift will be used to create the Joshua Max Simon Research Endowment to recruit and retain internationally accomplished researchers to the Indiana University School of Medicine and support the school's laboratory research programs at the cancer center.
The other half of the gift will fund the expansion of the cancer center's patient-care facility, a collaboration between the Indiana University School of Medicine and Clarian Health.
"Extraordinary cancer research and patient care has been a hallmark of Indiana University over the past 40 years," said D. Craig Brater, M.D., vice president for life sciences at IU and dean of the IU School of Medicine. "We deeply appreciate the trust and leadership of Melvin and Bren Simon in their support of the IU Cancer Center's mission to eliminate the devastation of cancer here in Indiana and worldwide. This transformative gift will give us the resources to attract and retain the talented faculty so critical to saving lives. This truly is the Indiana Life Sciences Initiative in action."
"The Simon family's philanthropy benefiting Indiana University is among the most generous in the state," said Curt Simic, president of the IU Foundation. The family's gifts to IU include the Bess Meshulam Simon Music Library and Recital Center, the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, and Simon Hall, the multidisciplinary science building and new home of the life sciences on the Bloomington campus.
"These gifts demonstrate the Simon family's commitment to advance the University's preeminence in the arts and sciences, both hallmarks of Indiana University's excellence," said Simic. "This new gift will accelerate research and save lives. Melvin and Bren Simon are making it possible for thousands of cancer patients from Indiana and around the world to seek and find the best possible treatments at the IU Cancer Center. Their generosity will make a difference in the lives of thousands for generations to come."
