Phil Knight pledges $2 billion gift to Oregon, largest in US history
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Phil Knight has been a major donor to his alma mater, Oregon, over the decades, and he just pledged his largest donation yet, this time for an important cause.
The Nike co-founder and his wife, Penny Knight, are donating a record-breaking $2 billion gift to the Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute. The donation will “transform the future of cancer and set a new standard globally,” according to a release from the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.
The donation is believed to be the largest single gift ever made to a U.S. university, college, or academic health center.
During his time at Oregon, Knight ran for the track and field team and earned a business degree.
This is a powerful statement by the Knights in the fight against cancer. The Knights will collaborate with renowned Dr. Brian Druker, a cancer research pioneer, as a part of the gift. A decade ago, Druker and OHSU set a goal to raise $500 million for cancer research. The Knights then joined in and agreed to raise dollar-for-dollar.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to invest in the next stage of the Druker-led revolutionary vision of cancer research, diagnosis, treatment, care, and some day, eradication,” Phil and Penny Knight said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more excited about the transformational potential of this work for humanity.”
Added Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek: “OHSU is Oregon’s only academic health care center, and thanks to the generosity and foresight of Mr. and Mrs. Knight, the nation will get to experience life-saving benefits from innovations and expertise in cancer treatment and care as the institution continues to push new boundaries. And this gift sends a signal to the world that Oregon is a place where amazing people make amazing things happen.”
