A $25 million gift from cancer survivor andDow Inc. Executive Chairman Jim Fitterling will fund cancer research, experimental therapies and expanded patient services at Allegheny Health Network.
The gift is the largest philanthropic investment in AHN's history, and the health system will rename its cancer center and more than 35 clinical locations the AHN James R. Fitterling Cancer Center.
AHN's cancer program serves more than 11,000 patients each year.
The investment will support eight research, clinical and patient-care priorities, ranging from a personalized cancer vaccine and T-cell immunotherapy research to new clinical trials and an expanded patient ambassador program.
The gift also has a personal connection for Fitterling, who received treatment
at AHN after being diagnosed with stage IV appendiceal cancer nearly two decades ago.
"When you’re facing a cancer diagnosis, having the right physician, the right treatment and a reason to hope can make all the difference. I know that firsthand because of the extraordinary care I received from Dr. Bartlett," Fitterling said. "My hope is that this gift will help accelerate research and discovery so that more patients have access to innovative treatment options and the best chance of a successful outcome."
Cancer diagnosis led Fitterling to AHN
Fitterling became a patient of David L. Bartlett, a surgical oncologist and director of the AHN Cancer Center, in 2008.
His treatment included two cytoreductive surgeries with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or HIPEC. The complex procedure removes visible tumors before heated chemotherapy is circulated through the abdomen to target remaining cancer cells.
Fitterling had been diagnosed with stage IV appendiceal cancer, a rare cancer that can spread through the abdominal cavity.
He has also contributed to the Susan J. and David L. Bartlett, MD Cancer Research Fund, which supports research into cancer treatments.
"Jim understands the stakes and knows that the greatest advances in cancer care happen when we have the ability to turn promising ideas into meaningful treatment options for patients," Bartlett said. "His incredible generosity will give our physicians and researchers the resources to pursue bold new approaches, accelerate discoveries and develop treatments that could change what’s possible for patients and families facing cancer."
$25 million gift targets eight areas of cancer care
The $25 million commitment will fund eight areas identified by AHN.
The health system plans to establish an endowed chair in oncology aimed at recruiting and retaining cancer medicine and research experts.
Another investment will expand AHN's Biomarker Moonshot by enrolling an additional 10,000 patients in its cancer data and biospecimen research initiative. AHN also plans AI-supported multi-omics research involving 1,000 patients to examine individual cancers and identify potential treatment targets.
The funding is expected to support five new cell therapy clinical trials involving 100 patients over five years, along with five trials over five years focused on appendix and peritoneal cancers.
AHN also plans to take a personalized cancer vaccine from early research through a clinical trial and develop a T-cell immunotherapy from initial engineering through a human clinical trial.
The eighth initiative will expand AHN's Community Cancer Patient Ambassador Program and related navigation services to reach additional patients.
Mark Sevco, president of AHN, said the funding will provide researchers and clinicians with additional resources for research and treatment.
"Jim’s extraordinary generosity is a powerful investment in the future of cancer care at AHN and in the patients and families who turn to us for hope when they receive a cancer diagnosis," Sevco said. "This historic gift will give our clinicians and researchers additional resources to pursue new discoveries, expand innovative treatment options and build upon our commitment to providing exceptional cancer care, particularly for patients facing complex diagnoses."
This story was produced by reporter Gabby Sartori, [gsartori@usatodayco.com], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct. Find more from the Steel City at our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jim Fitterling gives AHN Cancer Center $25 million
