Director's message

Celebrating a significant milestone 

We’re excited to share major milestones: the launch of the public phase of It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.

The $125 million campaign that will help fund construction of a new home for CCRI has been in its silent phase for about a year, although the notable gifts made it one of the loudest silent phases ever! 

More than $100 million has already been raised in the campaign, which started with a $25 million gift from Sandy and John Black in 2024. After transformational gifts were announced from C Spire in February and the Bower Foundation earlier this month, a $10 million gift came from the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation. 

We’re grateful and honored that so many generous Mississippians share our vision of CCRI, one of expanding research, enhancing patient care and accelerating progress in the fight against cancer.  

Now, as the campaign moves into its public phase, campaign support will grow as Mississippians across the state join us on our journey to improve Mississippi's cancer outcomes through advanced care and research. The campaign website even includes a video narrated by Morgan Freeman.

As we enter this next phase, we’re building momentum, inviting the community to join us and moving closer to a future where more lives are saved and more time is given. Thank you to our entire team for your professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment to this mission.