Top

Winter 2015 : Energizing the effort to end cancer

Energizing the effort to end cancer

Oil and gas industry adds significant fuel to the fight

BY Sarah Watson

MD Anderson President, Ron DePinho, M.D., left, thanks Exxon Mobil Corp. Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson at a press conference announcing a $10 million gift to the Moon Shots Program. Photo by Adoldo Chavez III

The Moon Shots Program is harnessing the power of science and technology to take MD Anderson’s mission to a new level. It’s found like-minded partners in the oil and gas industry, which relies on these same tools to forge new frontiers in energy for customers around the world. As key industry leaders explore common ground in innovations to advance big data analytics, genomic profiling, molecular diagnostics and more, many embrace the opportunity to be a part of MD Anderson’s unprecedented effort to end cancer.

More than a dozen companies in the energy industry have accepted the challenge to power the fight against cancer. Collectively, they’ve invested approximately $22 million in the Moon Shots Program, supporting platforms that strengthen infrastructure and teams of researchers and clinicians working to save lives.

Leading gifts of $1 million and more include:

Exxon Mobil Corporation, $10 million
Marathon Oil Corporation, $3 million
Shell Oil Company, $3 million
Apache Corporation, $2.5 million
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, $1.5 million
Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Foundation, $1 million
LyondellBasell, $1 million

The Moon Shots Program also benefits from generous contributions from Atwood Oceanics, Diamond Offshore, Energy Quest II, LINN Energy, Nabors, Phillips 66, Parker Drilling, Simmons and Company International, Spectra Energy and Valero.

“MD Anderson is grateful for the generosity of our energy industry partners. Their commitment will make a difference in the lives of cancer patients everywhere,” says Ron DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “Together, we’re pushing the boundaries, with the energy we need to fuel the fight.”

"MD Anderson is grateful for the generosity of our energy industry partners. Their commitment will make a difference in the lives of cancer patients everywhere. Together, we're pushing the boundaries, with the energy we need to fuel the fight."

Ronald DePinho, M.D.

president

More Stories From Promise

A message from Dr. DePinho

A word from the president

Moon Shots Program

As of January 31, 2015, private philanthropic commitments to the program total more than $217.5 million.

My Moon Shot

David Ekas, a melanoma survivor and Marathon Oil Company employee, established the Oilfield Melanoma Moon Shot Fund with a $20,000 personal commitment. He reflects on his motivation to encourage others to support the Melanoma Moon Shot and his hope for a cure.

Stripes aligns with MD Anderson

Convenience store campaign raises millions for children with cancer

Guided by a beacon of hope

Survivor finds strength in team of 20,000

iPromise

Lawrence and Alma Turner, of Houston, are high school sweethearts who recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Lawrence is a three-time cancer survivor, a registered Professional Engineer and a World War II veteran. Alma is a two-time cancer survivor. Here, Lawrence reflects on the miracles they've found at MD Anderson.

Survivors Say

Sheryl Barnes is a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) survivor of 33 years from Bloomington, Ind. Here, she reflects on the miracles that awaited her at MD Anderson after almost 20 years of treatment elsewhere.

A hole in one for cancer research

Luncheon honors golfing legend

Head for the cure

Head for the Cure (HFTC), a 5K and Kids Fun Run benefiting brain cancer research, returned to the Houston area in September and raised $66,000.

Coaching greats leave it all on the stage

Luncheon raises record-breaking funds for the Moon Shots Program

Winter bash provides fun in the sun for patients

Supporters deliver opportunity for kids to be kids

The joke's on brain cancer

Broach Foundation finds hope in humor

Compassion inspires cholangiocarcinoma support

Foundation supports collaborative basic research to target new treatments

'Why not shoot for the moon'

Couple gives $500,000 to Breast and Ovarian Cancers Moon Shot

An inspired gift

Family's loss to ovarian cancer spurs investment in hope

Jin honored to the tune of $100,000

Young Investigator Award reflects music industry support for sarcoma research

MD Anderson researcher receives top Italian science award

Previous recipients include two U.S. Nobel laureates

Gardasil 9

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of a new vaccine that targets five additional strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) fortifies a proven cancer prevention weapon, says MD Anderson President Ron DePinho.