Our Vision
Philanthropic support has played a critical role in Banner MD Anderson’s growth since 2011 and will continue be vital to our plans. Maintaining the highest level of care means setting new standards in patient access to multidisciplinary programs, research, clinical trials, and leading-edge technology, including the most advanced diagnostic imaging available. Through the Be at the Heart of Health campaign, we will invest in cancer care programs, and offer the best patient experience with the latest technologies in all our patient care settings to make cancer history
Investment opportunities are detailed on the following pages. Commemorative naming is available to recognize significant gifts:
Making Cancer History:
One Breakthrough at a Time
Cancer affects one in every three people in the United States and is one of the leading causes of death in our country. According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer incidence rates are expected to increase by approximately 45% from 2010 to 2030--representing a substantial rise in the burden of cancer on society and emphasizing the urgent need for continued investment in cancer research and treatment. Recent trends also show a concerning rise in cancer rates among younger adults, underscoring the importance of early detection, prevention, and access to cutting-edge treatments for all age groups.
Banner MD Anderson gives patients access to the same cuttingedge technology, multidisciplinary approach, and leading cancer care available at MD Anderson in Houston.
When Arizona’s leading health care provider, Banner Health, joined forces with one of America’s leading cancer care providers The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2011, it changed the landscape for cancer patients and their families throughout Arizona and Colorado. With its main campus in Gilbert, AZ, and extension sites in downtown Phoenix, the northwest Valley, and Northern Colorado, Banner MD Anderson gives patients access to the same cutting-edge technology, multidisciplinary approach, and leading cancer care available at MD Anderson in Houston.
AT THE VANGUARD OF A REVOLUTION IN CANCER CARE
With more than 1.5 million patient visits, nearly 200 clinical trials underway, and an ever-growing team of specialists across disciplines, Banner MD Anderson is poised to become our region’s premier clinical cancer research program and the vanguard of a revolution in cancer care. Our mission is to make cancer history and we achieve that mission by saving lives and working diligently to restore our patients’ health and well-being.
CARE
Expanding Access to Care: Northwest Cancer Center and Scottsdale Cancer Center
Initiative Goal: $30,000,000
Center for Integrative Oncology
Initiative Goal: $10,000,000
Some 1.5 million patients have visited the main Banner MD Anderson campus in Gilbert and eight extension clinics since inception in 2011. Expanding access to our highly specialized, disease-specific cancer treatment across the Valley and in Colorado has put world-class cancer care within reach for people from all walks of life, saving countless lives along the way. Philanthropic investment will allow Banner MD Anderson to expand programs in hematology oncology, neuro-oncology and gynecological oncology, plus radiation and surgical oncology, to the northwest and northeast Valley — giving more people access to cancer care close to home.
At Banner MD Anderson, we believe in caring for the whole person, not just treating the disease. Cancer doesn’t just affect the body; it impacts every aspect of a person’s life—their physical and mental health, emotional wellbeing, and sense of self. Integrative oncology complements traditional treatments to address the unique needs of each patient. Holistic therapies like massage, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and music therapy can help soothe the body and nourish the soul. Workshops that foster selfexpression, support groups where patients can spend time with those who share their experiences, and psycho-oncology services to address mental and emotional health—all of these offerings help patients manage physical symptoms and find peace and respite.
Supportive care and survivorship programs are a lifeline for patients navigating the challenges of life after cancer, offering personalized support and resources to help them navigate physical and emotional changes. Through survivorship programs, psycho-oncology services, and patient navigation, we empower survivors to reclaim their lives and find hope and healing beyond cancer.
Advanced Cancer Diagnostic Imaging Center
Initiative Goal: $2,000,000
As the first stop for many patients, this Center plays a pivotal role in their path toward diagnosis and treatment. Your support is instrumental to delivering this vital service, enabling us to create a space that is not only technologically advanced but also warm and welcoming. With new state-of-the-art equipment for all diagnostic imaging services, including mammograms and other essential screenings, plus comfortable furnishings, we ensure that every patient receives the highest standard of care from the very beginning in an environment of comfort and compassion.
CARE
Breast Cancer Prevention and Care
Initiative Goal: $2,000,000
Breast cancer affects nearly 1 in 8 women in the United States. It is the most diagnosed cancer among women in Arizona. More than 22,000 patients visit the Comprehensive Breast Center at Banner MD Anderson each year. Charitable gifts extend the expert care provided by our Breast Cancer Team and make many patient programs and services possible. Opportunities for support include:
• Undiagnosed Breast Clinic (UBC). For individuals with a suspicious breast change or abnormality and concern that cancer could be the cause, the UBC offers expedited examination and diagnostic testing from our multidisciplinary team of breast cancer experts. The UBC team secures timely referrals to the appropriate specialists, as needed.
• High Risk Breast Clinic. For those with an increased risk of breast cancer due to personal risk factors, a family history, or the identification of a genetic mutation, we offer breast cancer screening, chemo-prevention, and genetic risk evaluation, and provide patients with individualized prevention programs.
• Lymphedema Clinic. Secondary lymphedema can be a lifelong and debilitating consequence of breast cancer. At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, microvascular surgeons are performing pioneering procedures to treat this condition including vascularized lymph node transfers and lymphovenous bypass. These surgical interventions can help lessen the physical and emotional impact of lymphedema, leading to improved quality of life. The addition of lymphedema therapists and specialized equipment will help advance this program, allowing more patients to receive a personalized treatment plan.
Banner Gynecologic Cancer Prevention and Care
Initiative Goal: $2,000,000
Empowering women through comprehensive cancer care is at the heart of our mission, and with your support, we are thrilled to introduce the new Gynecologic Oncology program at Banner MD Anderson. Recognizing the critical need for a full spectrum of women’s care, this program represents a beacon of hope for those facing gynecologic cancers. From diagnosis to survivorship, our dedicated team is committed to providing personalized, compassionate care every step of the way. Patients will have access to the most advanced treatments, including robotic surgery, which allows for precision and minimally invasive procedures, leading to faster recovery times and improved outcomes. By offering state-of-the-art treatment options, innovative clinical trials, and supportive services tailored to the unique needs of women, we ensure that no one faces their cancer journey alone. Your generosity will enable us to expand access to these advanced therapies and enhance the quality of life for countless women affected by gynecologic cancers.
INNOVATION & RESEARCH
Oncology Innovation and Technology Fund
Initiative Goal: $2,000,000
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cancer care by investing in the most advanced technology and developing innovative approaches to cancer care. This initiative allows us to harness cutting-edge advancements in health tech, artificial intelligence, and medical innovations to revolutionize the way we diagnose, treat, and support cancer patients.
Philanthropic investment empowers us to deploy capital as needed to respond to constant advances in health innovations, Artificial Intelligence, and technology. This enables strategic investments in lifesaving equipment, advancements in radiation and surgical oncology, and investments in physician-led research. These investments directly impact patient care by ensuring the latest technology is available to diagnose and treat cancer effectively, while also attracting and retaining top cancer physicians who seek to utilize the most advanced equipment and conduct groundbreaking research.
INNOVATION & RESEARCH
Center for Clinical Trials and Research
Initiative Goal: $2,000,000
Clinical trials are the cornerstone of progress in cancer care. They provide patients with access to cutting-edge treatments and therapies that may not be available through standard care, offering hope and potentially lifesaving options for cancer patients. At Banner MD Anderson, about 5% of our patients are enrolled in one of our 200 clinical trials across a wide range of cancers including breast, hematology, lung, and head and neck. We aspire to see at least 15% of our patients enrolled in a trial. Low enrollment not only leads to delays in the advancement of cancer research but also deprives existing cancer patients access to potentially life-saving — and life-enhancing — care.
Dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes, the Center for Clinical Trials and Research marks a significant step forward in our mission. By broadening the scope of available trials and enhancing our trial administration capabilities across all eight of our sites in Arizona and Colorado, we aim to revolutionize regional clinical trial access. Drawing upon our success with CAR-T cell therapies, we envision expanding access to clinical trials and novel cellular therapies — making Banner MD Anderson a destination cancer center and, more importantly, a beacon of hope for patients across our region.
Banner MD Anderson Greatest Needs
Unrestricted gifts of every size are vital in supporting a range of needs across Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, both today and in the future. New developments in oncology are happening quickly, and these flexible funds allow us to respond in real time to make a difference in lives. These funds allow Banner to respond to critical needs in the community, develop innovative solutions, and leverage additional philanthropic investment from individual and institutional funders to advance patient care and programs. Your gift to this unrestricted fund will help advance world-class oncology care throughout Arizona and the southwest well into the future, leaving an enduring legacy of caring for our communities.
TALENT
Workforce Development and Continuing Medical Education
Initiative Goal: $1,000,000
One of the features that sets Banner MD Anderson apart from other cancer care providers is our incredibly sub-specialized workforce. Beyond the expertise of our physicians, patients benefit from our diseasespecific rehabilitation physical therapists, psychologists, oncology pharmacists, cellular therapy lab technicians, cancer nutritionists, radiation physicists and dosimetrists, and specialized speech/swallowing therapists. Maintaining and enhancing their training is critical to the expertise of our program and our ability to recruit, retain and develop these cancer specialists.
Philanthropic investment supports our oncology providers and leaders in pursuing ongoing professional development, education, and training in the latest cancer treatment trends, newest research, and best practices. Funds also support disease-specific medical education conferences, bringing community cancer care providers together to learn from Banner MD Anderson’s experts and expand the knowledge of all providers.
At the heart of life is health. And at the heart of health is Banner.
You can help us continue offering the very best cancer care to our diverse communities. Planned philanthropic investments in cancer as part of the campaign total $51 million. With your philanthropic support, Banner will make strategic new investments in patient care initiatives and the most advanced equipment and technology, provide vital community outreach to encourage routine screening and improve early detection, conduct groundbreaking research to discover tomorrow’s cures, and hire the best and brightest clinicians to care for our patients.