Director's message

It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute is making great strides, with gifts from Trustmark and the Selby and Richard McRae Foundation announced recently. 

Because of how this campaign will transform cancer care, research and education in Mississippi, it’s essential for us all to understand this project and the philanthropic drive that’s helping fund it. Below are 10 key facts that highlight the scope and impact of this historic effort: 

• It’s About Time is a $125 million philanthropic campaign to build a new, state‑of‑the‑art home for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute. 

• More than $100 million has already been raised, reflecting broad support from donors across Mississippi and beyond. 

• The Mississippi Legislature has appropriated an additional $100 million to help fund the center’s construction. 

• The new cancer center will be a five‑story, purpose‑built facility designed for seamless integration of care, research, support services and the education of tomorrow's oncologists and researchers. 

• The center's labs will be a training ground for students in the new Cancer Biology and Therapeutics PhD program in the UMMC School of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences. The education of oncology residents and fellows will continue to be part of the center. 

• It will become Mississippi’s first comprehensive, modern cancer center, built to meet the needs of a state with some of the nation’s highest cancer burdens. 

• The facility will expand access to cutting‑edge clinical trials, allowing more Mississippians to receive innovative treatments close to home. 

• It will enhance CCRI’s ability to recruit top oncology physicians, scientists and care teams, strengthening cancer care statewide. 

• The campaign is powered by strong community engagement, including events, partnerships and statewide awareness efforts. 

• Mississippi is one of three southern states without a cancer center designed by the National Cancer Institute. Gaining NCI designation is our over-arching goal at CCRI. 

The new cancer center will be Mississippi’s first modern, comprehensive facility dedicated solely to cancer care and discovery. Designed to bring clinical care, research, prevention, patient support and education together under one roof, it will expand access to cutting‑edge clinical trials, strengthen our ability to recruit top oncology talent and create a space where innovation and compassion meet every day. 

Thanks to each of you, because the dedication you show every day is bringing us that much closer to making this new cancer center a reality.