Bank of America today announces a $500,000 grant toward a $10 million Endowed Fund for Translational Cancer Research at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.
The Fund will benefit communities throughout Delaware and around the country by supporting biomedical research for new breast, ovarian, lung and colorectal cancer treatments, gene editing and more. This program will directly support workforce development and impact the health of the community, removing barriers to economic success and advancing a more diverse and inclusive society.
Bank of America’s investment in ChristianaCare demonstrates its commitment and dedication to support the community, enabling residents to live their healthiest lives. Additionally, investing in workforce development is one of the ways Bank of America is addressing issues fundamentally connected to economic mobility in the region. ChristianaCare is the largest private employer in Delaware and one of the country’s most dynamic health systems.
“The way we value and support our community is a reflection of who we are as a company,” said Chip Rossi, Bank of America Delaware market president. “We know that in underserved communities, the incidence of cancer and access to health care is a challenge. We are honored to partner with ChristianaCare to improve the health and quality of life for Delaware residents.”
“Bank of America’s exceptional gift serves as a cornerstone to support the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research at ChristianaCare,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and chief executive officer of ChristianaCare. “Bank of America’s generous support over the years exemplifies its dedication to the health and well-being of our community, as well as to the development of Delaware as a vibrant innovation corridor where world-class research is thriving.”
Bank of America is a long-time supporter of ChristianaCare, with gifts in 2002 helping to establish the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute and endowing the medical directorship of the cancer program, and in 2005 in support of the Center for Heart & Vascular Health.
“Thanks to Bank of America’s generous gift, we can continue to change the landscape of cancer research and care in Delaware – extending the boundaries of scientific discovery and accelerating cures,” said Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “This funding will enable us to enhance the quality and value of the research and care we provide in our community, including addressing racial disparities and social determinants of health.”
Delaware is the second smallest state in the nation, but when the Graham Cancer Center opened in 2002 it ranked highest in the nation for incidence and mortality rates for cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Today, in large measure due to the groundbreaking cancer research, community outreach and outstanding patient care at the Graham Cancer Center, Delaware now ranks 18th in the nation. ChristianaCare has one of the busiest cancer programs on the East Coast, treating more than 70% of the cancer cases in Delaware. More than 230,000 patient visits were recorded last year, and ChristianaCare is projected to treat more than 3,000 new cancer cases next year.
Established in 2009, the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research is a formal collaborative program between the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute and academic partner institutions. This partnership is a powerful link that allows physicians and scientific researchers to work side-by-side as a team of experts, identifying needs of individual patients at the bedside, exploring solutions in the lab and translating those results directly into treatment plans as unique as the individuals who will benefit from them.
