Top

Winter 2017 : Mulva Family Foundation contributes $75 million to UT System institutions

Mulva Family Foundation contributes $75 million to UT System institutions

$25 million to fund MD Anderson efforts to end melanoma and prostate cancer

BY Sarah Watson

Miriam and Jim Mulva

The Mulva Family Foundation has given $25 million to melanoma and prostate cancer research at MD Anderson under the direction of Patrick Hwu, M.D., chair of Melanoma Medical Oncology, and Christopher Logothetis, M.D., chair of Genitourinary Medical Oncology.

"This transformational gift is a reflection of the Mulva family's extraordinary generosity and dedication to advancing the end of two of our most menacing foes - melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer and prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men," says Ronald DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson. "We are profoundly grateful for the Mulva Family Foundation's remarkable support of MD Anderson's mission. Together, we will change the statistics and create new hope for patients and their loved ones facing the challenges of cancer."

The gift is part of a $75 million grant that includes $50 million to create the Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences at the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.

In a news release announcing the grant, Miriam and Jim Mulva expressed their

passion and commitment to help MD Anderson - the premier cancer center in the world - treat and ultimately eradicate cancer.

Miriam and Jim Mulva

Jim Mulva, chair of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors and a UT Austin graduate, is past chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillips. Miriam Mulva is a graduate of St. Norbert College near Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Mulvas are Texas residents and split their time between Austin and Green Bay.

The Mulva Family Foundation has been a consistent supporter of UT Austin and MD Anderson. Medicine, education, youth and the Catholic Church are its primary initiatives. The family's substantial commitments to the university include $60 million to the McCombs School of Business and the Cockrell School of Engineering and $15 million to help build the new Liberal Arts Building. They have given more than $5.6 million to MD Anderson. The Miriam and Jim Mulva Conference Center at MD Anderson is named in recognition of a $5 million gift to the Miriam and Jim Mulva Fund for Melanoma Research.

More Stories From Promise

e-Philanthropy program raises support for cancer patients with just a few clicks

Online donations support cancer research, treatment

In memoriam

Charles Aubrey "Mickey" LeMaistre, M.D.

Colon cancer survivor donates bell to GI Clinic

Colon cancer survivor donates bell to MD Anderson GI Clinic so that patients can signal end of cancer treatment

Moon Shots Program

Launched in 2012, MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program™ is a comprehensive effort to significantly reduce deaths and transform cancer care.

About the Multiple Myeloma Moon Shot

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, with 27,000 new diagnoses in the U.S. annually. For patients with high-risk multiple myeloma, median survival is as low as two to three years.

My Multiple Myeloma Moon Shot

Karen Fore, of Houston, is a six-year cancer survivor. She works in Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at MD Anderson and volunteers with myCancerConnection, MD Anderson’s one-on-one cancer support community that connects patients and caregivers with others who’ve been in the same situation. Here, Karen reflects on the hope she believes the Moon Shots Program™ will bring to future cancer survivors.

Survivors Say: Glioblastoma expert Dr. Al Yung

W.K. Alfred Yung, M.D., professor, Neuro-Oncology, and a member of the Moon Shots Program™ executive committee, is an expert in clinical research and treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, the most lethal form of brain cancer. He is a 17-year cancer survivor and was recently named to the Blue Ribbon panel of experts selected to advise the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot, inspired by MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program™ and led by former Vice President Joe Biden.

Among Friends: MD Anderson Advance Team member Barry Kessler

For years, Barry Kessler was under the misconception that MD Anderson is "a place you go when things are really bad." Several years and one melanoma diagnosis later, he praises the institution as "the only place to go. Period." Kessler is a principal at Simmons & Company International, Energy Specialists of Piper Jaffray and a member of MD Anderson's Advance Team, a volunteer board of "next generation" community and business leaders. A melanoma cancer survivor, he focuses his efforts outside of the office on helping #endcancer, once and for all.

iPromise: Jeff Lindley

Jeff and Marty Lindley met in 1968 at the University of Arizona. They married in 1970 and had a daughter, Jessica. They later moved to New Braunfels, Texas, and were active in the community. As a surprise, Jeff created the Marty Lindley Foundation by hosting an event at the Brauntex Theatre, inviting guests to wear purple in awareness of leiomyosarcoma, a soft tissue sarcoma. More than 500 people attended, including college friends, and raised $62,000 in Marty's honor.

MD Anderson Cancer Center’s A Conversation With a Living Legend in San Antonio

Former Secretary of State discusses football, politics and more at Living Legend dinner benefiting MD Anderson

MD Anderson nurse receives Brown Foundation Award

MD Anderson nurse recognized for impact on cancer patients' lives

Brain tumor patient's family honors his memory

Family hosts golf tournament to raise money for glioblastoma research in honor of son

Raising money for ovarian cancer research at MD Anderson

Family assembles team to walk in annual Sprint For Life to support ovarian cancer research at MD Anderson

21st Century Cures Act

President Barack Obama signs the 21st Century Cures Act, which provides increased medical research funding, including $1.8 billion designated for cancer research, and aims to accelerate development and approval of experimental treatments and reform federal policy on mental health care.