Inspired by his late wife's battle with ovarian cancer, a London man has donated $5.25-million to the London Health Sciences Centre for research into the deadly disease.
John Knight, a former Western University economics professor, passed away in January leaving the multi-million dollar gift to the hospital in his will. The donation, which was announced on Tuesday, is the largest estate gift ever received by the hospital.
Knight met the Translational Ovarian Cancer Research team at the hospital's research facility in 2015. He witnessed firsthand their innovative approach in understanding the disease and their potential for quickly advancing that knowledge into improved and new treatments. Although Knight's wife Mary lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2008, the professor made the decision to donate the large sum to help others.
“This gift was a very personal and heartfelt decision by John,” said Bob Merrifield, Knight's estate executor and good friend. “He hoped that supporting this program would lead to earlier screening and produce evidence-based treatment protocols to improve the future for those women who have their life path altered in confronting ovarian cancer.”
The money will be used to hire additional researchers and research assistants, upgrade facilities, acquire state-of-the-art equipment, and enable researchers from London to connect with researchers around the world.
"This gift will expand our capacity to find innovative new approaches to ovarian cancer treatment that ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes, and for that we are truly grateful,” said Murray Glendining, president and CEO of London Health Sciences Centre.
Valentine's Day was specifically selected to announce the massive donation as a way of symbolizing the Knight's love for each other.
“Married for 34 years, Mary and John were career educators, kindred spirits and life partners in the true sense of those words,” said Merrifield.
In honour of the couple, the atrium in the cancer centre is being named the Mary and John Knight Atrium.
Knight's donation brings the London Health Sciences Foundation closer to reaching their $200-million fundraising campaign goal. As of Tuesday, $37-million has been raised towards the campaign’s $40-million goal to support cancer research and patient care, and $187-million has been raised for the overall campaign.