C Spire supporting CCRI with $5M gift
A $5 million gift from C Spire is helping move Mississippi closer to a new era in cancer care, supporting the capital campaign to build a new home for the Cancer Center and Research Institute at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
The donation was announced Wednesday during a ceremony at the telecommunications and technology company’s headquarters in Ridgeland.
“At C Spire, our mission is to improve lives through the power of technology,” said Dr. Holt Crews, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UMMC who serves on the board of directors for C Spire. He is also a member of the It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute Committee. “We also recognize that none of this matters without quality, accessible health care. UMMC plays an unmatched role in providing advanced care to Mississippians, and this new Cancer Center will bring transformative treatment and research capabilities to our state. We are proud to support an effort that will touch so many families.”
The gift continues C Spire’s legacy of reinvesting in Mississippi and supporting initiatives that strengthen individuals, communities, businesses, and public institutions, Crews said. “This commitment aligns with the company’s broader vision of improving quality of life through innovation, infrastructure and strategic philanthropy.”
It’s About Time, a $125 million philanthropic campaign, is helping fund construction of a five-story cancer center where advanced cancer treatment and research will take place under one roof, expanding access to cutting-edge care for Mississippians across the state.
In just over a year, the campaign has raised more than $88 million.
“Mississippi faces a cancer burden unlike any other state, and too many families feel the impact of this disease every day,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs. “C Spire’s extraordinary $5 million gift will help ensure Mississippians receive advanced cancer care close to home while accelerating research and the training of future cancer experts. Their commitment reflects a deep belief in our vision and in the people of this state.”
The gift comes as UMMC is seeking National Cancer Institute designation for CCRI, a first for the state.
“We have the worst cancer outcomes in the country,” she said. “Part of the reason for that is because we don’t have an NCI-Designated Cancer Center, which is a top-tier cancer center. Because it is built on scientific rigor and research, UMMC is the onlhy entity in the state that can achieve this. We’re on a mission, and it is great to have partners like C Spire on this mission. They are helping support the vision to change what cancer outcomes look like in Mississippi.”
C Spire’s investment shows what’s possible when Mississippi organizations come together around a shared purpose, said Dr. Rod Rocconi, Ergon Chair for Cancer Research and CCRI director.
“This gift brings us closer to a future where patients can receive state-of-the-art cancer care and participate in clinical trials right here in Mississippi,” he said. “C Spire’s generosity is accelerating our ability to deliver innovative treatments, conducting lifesaving research and providing hope to families across the state.”