A message from Dr. DePinho

A word from the president

This spring MD Anderson celebrated a major milestone: the 25th anniversary of The Anderson Assembly. The 1989 inaugural class honored 23 exemplary donors distinguished by their compassion, commitment and lifetime contributions of
$1 million or more to MD Anderson’s mission. Today, The Anderson Assembly comprises some 250 individuals, families, foundations and organizations across the globe. Their pivotal involvement and major financial contributions have propelled and sustained MD Anderson’s excellence as the world’s premier cancer center.

Our cancer fighting doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers extend deepest gratitude to this elite group, whose impact on our patients has been immeasurable. Together, we are Making Cancer History^®.

I hope you’ll enjoy reading about The Anderson Assembly and our 25th anniversary celebration in a related story.

The fruits of such generosity are reflected in decisive, practice-changing research and exceptional, multidisciplinary patient care programs that make MD Anderson a place of hope for those afflicted with cancer today and for future generations who’ll benefit from effective prevention, screening and therapies. Every day, our faculty, staff and volunteers see and feel the intangible results of philanthropy firsthand in the eyes and hearts of patients, families and caregivers. That’s a priceless return on investment.

Our pledge to be responsible stewards of all who contribute their time and financial resources to MD Anderson is unwavering. Thank you for joining us in our journey as, together, we make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families everywhere.

"Every day, our faculty, staff and volunteers see and feel the intangible results of philanthropy firsthand in the eyes and hearts of patients, families and caregivers. That's a priceless return on investment."

Ronald DePinho, M.D.

president

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Kimmie Rhodes, of Austin, is a singer and writer whose songs have been recorded by Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Peter Frampton and many others. She was married to producer-writer-musician Joe Gracey for 28 years before he succumbed to metastatic esophageal cancer in 2011. Diagnosed with oral cancer in 1977, Gracey was cancer-free for 30 years following surgeries at MD Anderson, though he lost his ability to speak and sing. Here, Rhodes reflects on her late husband and the hope they both found at MD Anderson.