Dartmouth College has announced a gift of $25 million from Dorothy Byrne, a longtime supporter of cancer research and patient care.

Made in part through the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, the lead gift in a $50 million fundraising campaign will establish the Byrne Family Cancer Research Institute at Norris Cotton Cancer Center (NCCC), which aims to transform and accelerate the translation of research to prevent and cure cancer, enhance cancer survivorship, and promote cancer health equity. The largest gift ever given jointly to Dartmouth and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health will help with the recruitment and retention of new PhD and physician scientists, acquisition of advanced research equipment, and enhanced training for Geisel School of Medicine students and faculty and is intended to inspire additional support. The campaign also will support a best-in-class clinical trials research program and provide funding for the most promising innovations.

“Thanks to the vision of Dorothy Byrne and her late husband, Jack, this transformative gift is the beginning of a major mobilization of investment in our research and discovery enterprise,” said NCCC director Steven Leach, the Preston T. and Virginia R. Kelsey Distinguished Chair in Cancer at the Geisel School of Medicine. “The launch of the Byrne Family Cancer Research Institute at Norris Cotton Cancer Center will elevate and accelerate our contributions among global cancer research institutes and make new and novel cancer treatment a reality.”

“It is with great enthusiasm that I join others in establishing the Byrne Family Cancer Research Institute at Norris Cotton Cancer Center,” said Byrne. “I have admired Steve Leach and his work since I met him, and I know that he and his fellow scientists will endeavor to strive for new cancer research initiatives in the years ahead. I look forward to seeing that happen.”

(Image Credit: Getty Images/gorodenkoff)