Letter from the Director

Dear Friends,

As director of the Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research, I offer my most heartfelt thanks to all of you who support the center. Your gifts allow us to carry on Terry Johnson’s vision of making the most of the impressive resources at K-State to fight cancer through research and outreach.

Thanks to the support of many, the center is currently providing around a half-million dollars a year to support 70 cancer research teams — funding we expect will return many dividends over the years in our fight against cancer.

It is an extraordinarily promising and exciting time for those of us in cancer research. The rate of discovery of new methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment continues to escalate impressively, with basic research providing the underpinnings of new approaches and clinical studies.

When I speak to groups, I am often asked why they should support the Johnson Cancer Research Center when there are so many worthy organizations fighting cancer. There are at least four important reasons:

1. Our faculty researchers excel in the important niche of basic research, the foundation for clinical research and treatment.
2. This is an opportunity to support K-State faculty and students while at the same time enabling the fight against cancer.
3. Support from the center contributes to the success of our affiliated researchers, who garner millions in extramural funding, which supports salaries and local purchases, and has a major economic impact for northeast Kansas.
4. All of your cash gifts are directed at supporting cancer research, training, and outreach, and are not used for administrative expenses.

As you review this website, you will learn about the programs of the center and the faculty researchers, as well as center activities and history. We thank you for your support and would be very grateful if you would help spread the word about the important activities of the Johnson Cancer Research Center at K-State. We are proud of the achievements of our researchers and their contributions to basic cancer research. With your help we will continue to advance the search for cancer solutions.

Rob Denell
University Distinguished Professor and
Director, Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research