The Lung Cancer Challenge
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in South Carolina, the United States, and worldwide. Nearly 160,000 Americans will die of this disease this year – more than the number of deaths from breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined.

• Here in South Carolina, lung cancer claims almost 3,000 lives each year. Approximately 3,000 new cases are diagnosed in our state annually.

• Though mortality has declined slightly in recent years, the five year survivorship of lung cancer victims remains low – approximately 16 percent. 

• Mortality among men has seen a decline in recent years. However, it has remained steady among women.

• At least 4.5 million adolescents (aged 12-17 years) in the United States smoke cigarettes.

• Based on statistics compiled by the National Cancer Institute, one in 14 people born today will be diagnosed with cancer of the lung and bronchus during their lifetime.

Our Vision
Our vision is to create The Lung Cancer Center at Hollings Cancer Center to become the region’s leading resource for those at risk and diagnosed with lung cancer. Our goals are to provide leadership in the areas of research, prevention, tobacco control, public policy, screening, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care for those faced with lung cancer. They are highlighted here. 

• Discover genetic and environmental causes through basic and clinical research.

• Develop new and novel screening techniques to make earlier diagnoses and treatment.

• Create novel approaches to lung cancer therapy by developing both new drugs and radiological techniques.

• Develop comprehensive strategy for prevention and control.

• Strategize and develop policy about novel approaches to the public health issues of smoking in South Carolina and nationally.
Why a Lung Cancer Center at Hollings Cancer Center?

Hollings Cancer Center is uniquely positioned to build a successful, dedicated lung cancer program.

We are recognized by cancer leaders in the state as the state’s only academic medical cancer center capable of achieving National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. The importance of this cannot be understated. It uniquely positions us for success in our efforts to recruit and retain leading cancer clinicians, researchers, and cancer care professionals. Not only are these recruitments important to the care we are able to provide to our patients and the discoveries that might be uncovered for new treatments, but also it moves us closer to being recognized as one of the top cancer centers in the nation. What is exciting about creating a Lung Cancer Center is that we have approximately 25 individuals at Hollings Cancer Center with interest in lung cancer. Thus, we already have the framework and support of a team that could be lead in a visionary direction. 

We are also the only cancer center in the state that is able to provide global support and infrastructure for cancer care in South Carolina. We have state-of-the-art treatment facilities and research laboratories, unique outreach programs such as our mobile health van, and the support of matrix academic medical center that can enhance our efforts in every area. No organized, concerted effort to focus solely on the lung cancer problem has been undertaken. The creation of the Lung Cancer Center at Hollings Cancer Center with focused leadership, dedicated facilities, and programmatic support would provide the framework for such an effort. 

Most importantly, this center is important to our state because lung cancer is the most common form of cancer in South Carolina. Having a center dedicated exclusively to the disease’s treatment and cure will help recruit the world’s most foremost experts in the field of lung cancer research and treatment, leading to a level of care that otherwise would not be available here at the local level. 

Because a large part of the center’s mission will be focused on research, lung cancer patients throughout the entire state will have access to the latest, most innovative treatment options possible. The Medical University’s status as an academic medical center will allow us to transfer these new innovations to the next generation of lung care specialists, as well as clinicians taking part in our statewide collaborations. Finally, our health policy group could share insight into patterns of care throughout the state and in particular care provided to our state’s underserved populations.

Giving Opportunities
In order to accomplish our vision, we need external philanthropic support. While we are accepting all levels of contributions towards this very significant effort, the following opportunities are available for naming.

$25,000,000 - To name and build the Lung Cancer Center at Hollings Cancer Center

$2,000,000 - To name the Endowed Chair for the Director of the Lung Cancer Center

$1,500,000 - To name a floor in the Lung Cancer Center (2 available)

$1,000,000 - To name a research laboratory (4 available: Biomarkers, New Drug Development, Phase I Clinical Trials and Cancer Genetics)

$600,000 over 3 years - To recruit and sustain a clinical leader for three years (Medical Oncology/Lung)

$600,000 over 3 years - To recruit and sustain a clinical leader for three years (Phase I Clinical Trials)

$600,000 over 3 years - To recruit and sustain a leader in palliation

$180,000 over 3 years - To recruit and sustain a nurse for the clinical leaders

$400,000 over 3 years - To recruit junior faculty (6 available in the areas of prevention and control, palliation, and public policy)

$180,000 over 3 years - To recruit senior level data manager

$90,000 over 3 years - To recruit junior level data manager

$3,000,000 - Seed funding needed for start up of all programs

Recognition for contributions will be arranged according to the donor preferences. Hollings Cancer Center is pleased to recognize donors assisting with recruitments by naming those positions in honor of the donor. Contributions for endowments, floors, and the building will be named in honor of the donor as requested. The significance of the gifts requested over three years is that these gifts will help us recruit, equip, secure technicians and supplies for these positions. After the three year period, these positions should be self-supporting. 

Contributions to Hollings Cancer Center may be given over a multi-year period and should be made payable to the MUSC Foundation. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Foundation is recognized as a 501(c)3 organization, and our Federal Identification Number is 57-6028985. 

Hollings Cancer Center is appreciative of your consideration and hope you will join our fight against lung cancer. For more information, please contact Rachael D. Smith, Director of Development at Hollings Cancer Center, by e-mail or at (843) 792-7694.