A decade after meeting one of the most ambitious philanthropic challenges in health care history, Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute continues to reshape the future of cancer research, care and prevention.
The OHSU Foundation hosted a dinner and panel discussion at the Robertson Life Sciences Building on June 12 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the successful completion of the Knight Cancer Challenge — a $1 billion initiative launched by Phil and Penny Knight to revolutionize the fight against cancer.
In 2013, the Knights pledged $500 million to OHSU — if the university could match it within two years. The goal was bold: to recruit top scientists and build a world-class research center focused on early detection of the deadliest cancers. On June 24, 2015, supported by donations from more than 10,000 supporters and $200 million in state support, the goal was met.
“What we’ve accomplished since then is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Steve Stadum, J.D., interim president of OHSU. “Ten years ago, we had a unique opportunity to reshape cancer care in our region and have global impact. Today we continue working toward further establishing OHSU as one of our country’s best academic health centers.”
The evening program also paid tribute to Brian Druker, M.D., physician-scientist and JELD-WEN Chair of Leukemia Research at OHSU, for his role in leading the team to meet the challenge and for his profound impact on OHSU and around the world.
Stadum also announced that on June 12, the Oregon State Legislature officially recognized Druker's extraordinary contributions to cancer treatment, and particularly his development of the groundbreaking drug Gleevec.
The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is now a nationally recognized leader in precision early detection. The Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, or CEDAR, has launched nearly 300 research projects and published more than 170 peer-reviewed publications, much of it aimed at detecting cancer when it’s most treatable.
Shivaani Kummar, M.D., FACP, interim chief executive of the Knight Cancer Institute, noted how much progress has been made, and what lies ahead.
“Twelve years ago, early detection was seen by many as an unsolvable challenge,” Kummar said. “Today, thanks to the power of collaboration and philanthropy, we are proving that early detection is not only possible, but transformational.”
Panelists at the June 12 event discussed how researchers are attacking cancer from all perspectives.
Jose Montoya Mira, Ph.D., a research engineer with CEDAR, discussed the promising blood test known as PAC-MANN, which shows promise to detect pancreatic cancer earlier.
“By catching cancer in its earliest form, we dramatically improve the odds of survival,” Mira said.
Jackie Shannon, Ph.D., co-director of the Community Partnership Program and associate director of community outreach and engagement in the Knight, emphasized the importance of meeting people in their communities.
“If innovation doesn’t reach the communities that need it most, its impact will be diminished,” she said.
Her team builds local partnerships in every Oregon county, and has expanded mobile outreach and engaged community health workers to spread the word about cancer prevention, early detection and survivorship.
Brandon Hayes-Lattin, M.D., FACP, medical director of the Knight’s Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program, highlighted advances in immunotherapy and the potential of CAR-T cell therapy.
“We’re learning how to harness each patient’s own immune system to fight their cancer,” he said.
The celebration also recognized the thousands of donors who stepped forward to meet the Knight Challenge. A video tribute titled “10,000 Dots” honored every person who contributed to the campaign. The stories of patients whose lives were changed by the work of the Knight Cancer Institute, closed out the evening.
“This anniversary isn’t just a look back — it’s a call to keep pushing forward,” Kummar said. “We’ve built the foundation. Now, we’re accelerating the science, expanding access and taking on cancer with everything we’ve got.”