A record-breaking $2 billion gift to Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute will reshape how cancer care is delivered and positioned to become a self-governed entity within OHSU.
Phil and Penny Knight announced the transformational donation to accelerate Dr. Brian Druker’s vision of an integrated approach to cancer research, diagnosis, treatment, care, and, one day, eradication. The Knights described the gift as a way to fuse scientific discovery with seamless patient care, building an advanced, patient-centered cancer program that can offer state-of-the-art treatments and comprehensive support.
The pledge builds on a long history of collaboration between the Knights and Druker. Druker, who leads the JELD-WEN Chair of Leukemia Research and was the developer of Gleevec, helped revolutionize leukemia treatment by targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Gleevec’s breakthrough, approved in 2001, helped usher in precision medicine and dramatically extended survival for chronic myeloid leukemia patients. The Knights previously launched the Knight Cancer Challenge, a fundraising drive that culminated in a $1 billion effort supported by $200 million in bonds from the Oregon Legislature, $100 million from Gert Boyle, and contributions from more than 10,000 donors across the United States and beyond. Those funds supported large-scale early cancer detection programs and advanced research in targeted therapies and precision medicine, enabling new blood tests and other innovations in early detection.
Under the new gift, the Knight Cancer Institute will become self-governed within OHSU. The Knight Cancer Group will be created to lead the Institute, oversee cancer services across the university, and operate with its own board of directors. Dr. Druker will serve as the inaugural president of this new organization, guiding a multidisciplinary system designed to make the patient experience as seamless as possible from diagnosis onward. The model aims to expand access to diagnostics and innovative clinical trials informed by Knight researchers and to provide a full spectrum of patient resources, including nutritional, psychological, genetic and financial counseling, symptom management, survivorship care, and complementary therapies.
State and university leaders praised the gift for its potential to redefine cancer care in Oregon and beyond. OHSU President Shereef Elnahal highlighted the gift as a milestone that signals trust in the university’s clinicians, researchers, and team members who work daily to advance cancer care. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek described the donation as groundbreaking for the state and noted that Oregon will become a hub where remarkable people achieve remarkable outcomes. Steve Stadum, who previously led the Knight Cancer Institute’s operations and helped shepherd the Knight Cancer Challenge, called the gift a game-changer for OHSU, Oregon, and cancer patients everywhere.
The Knight family’s support is anchored in a shared belief that breakthroughs in science must be matched by equally strong, patient-focused care. The gift promises to accelerate diagnostics, broaden access to cutting-edge trials, and simplify the cancer journey for patients and families—from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship—while continuing to push the boundaries of discovery and treatment.
Why this matters
– The self-governed Knight Cancer Group could enable more agile decision-making and closer alignment between research and patient care, potentially shortening the path from discovery to bedside.
– By consolidating governance around cancer services, the Institute aims to streamline access to innovative therapies and clinical trials, making Oregon a leading center for cancer innovation.
– The integration of comprehensive support services reflects a holistic approach to care that addresses not only medical needs but also nutritional, psychological, genetic, financial, and survivorship concerns.
Additional context and potential impact
– The initiative continues a historic push by the Knights and Druker to leverage scientific breakthroughs—such as precision therapy and early detection tools—to improve survival and quality of life for cancer patients.
– If successful, the model could serve as a blueprint for other academic health centers seeking to integrate discovery with exceptional patient care and may influence how cancer services are organized and funded at large universities.
Overall, the gift underscores a deep commitment to transforming cancer care from discovery to experience, with a focus on patient-centered, integrated services and a governance structure designed to accelerate progress and accessibility for patients in Oregon and beyond. The tone is hopeful, emphasizing progress, collaboration, and a continued drive toward better outcomes for those facing cancer.