The Moon Shots Program Overview

MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program is an unprecedented, comprehensive assault to significantly reduce cancer deaths and transform cancer care.

Moon shot teams pursue innovative projects prioritized for greatest patient impact, including clinical trials of new cancer immunotherapies, targeted therapies and combinations. Collaborations heighten molecular understanding of cancers and therapies to further improve translational research and move scientific findings into the clinic. Many moon shots include prevention and early detection projects. Specialized platforms provide infrastructure, systems and strategy.

Ultimately, moon shot efforts will help support all cancer research at MD Anderson, particularly with improved resources and infrastructure. Funding is from private philanthropy, institutional earnings, competitive research grants and commercialization of new discoveries.

12 areas of focus:

As of Dec. 31, private philanthropic commitments total more than $341.8 million.

More Stories From Promise

Global ambassadors with a collective goal: Making Cancer History®

The MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors plays a significant role in advancing the institution as the world's premier cancer center.

My Moon Shot

Tom Rushing, of Houston, is a pancreatic cancer survivor of eight years. After his initial diagnosis, he sought a second opinion at MD Anderson and was placed in the care of Robert Wolff, M.D., chair ad interim, General Oncology; Sheikh Zayed Distinguished University Chair in Medical Oncology; and a co-leader of the Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot. A senior consultant with Merrill Lynch, Rushing has been a member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors since 2011, serving on the board's Development Committee.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot

Learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot

A lasting legacy

New York conservationist gives $30 million to cancer research

A Conversation With a Living Legend®

A signature event, steeped in tradition

iPromise

Businesswoman, educator, philanthropist and sports enthusiast Nita Ambani, of Mumbai, India, joined the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors in 2014. She is founder and chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, established in 2010 to provide impetus to various philanthropic initiatives of Reliance Industries Limited. The efforts of the group have touched the lives of more than 4 million people across India, in more than 5,500 villages and urban locations.

Survivors Say

Judith Jennings, of Meridianville, Ala., is a mother, grandmother, retired teacher and ovarian cancer survivor.

A lifetime commitment

Life Members of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors embody philanthropy, leadership and a community spirit. Through their dedication and devotion, this select group has furthered MD Anderson's mission and advanced the institution toward its goal to end cancer. Their belief in MD Anderson has motivated their personal generosity and inspired that of others. True ambassadors of Making Cancer History®, they've helped place MD Anderson at the forefront of cancer care, research, prevention and education. In 2015, the board welcomed two new Life Members: Lyda Hill of Dallas and James A. Baker, III, of Houston.