Today the Baylor Health Care System Foundation announced gifts exceeding $20 million for what will be North Texas' largest outpatient cancer center and first dedicated hospital focusing on cancer patients. This donation is made possible through the generosity of the men and women of Sammons Enterprises, Inc. and the estate of founder Charles A. Sammons, who quietly provided significant philanthropic support to Baylor University Medical Center for more than 50 years. These extraordinary contributions will benefit the new cancer complex at the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas which was previously announced in September 2008.
National renowned cancer care destination
"The development of these facilities will ensure that all patients in North Texas have convenient access to the advanced screening, diagnosis, and treatment they need to overcome cancer," said Joel T. Allison, president and chief executive officer of Baylor Health Care System. "This gift will help us continue to provide advanced cancer treatments and conduct clinical research to reach our goal to be a destination for cancer care. The Baylor Health Care System is most grateful for the generosity of the Sammons family and companies."
The outpatient cancer center and inpatient cancer hospital are key components of a $350 million investment. The inpatient cancer hospital will feature 120 beds and the new outpatient cancer center will provide a full range of cancer-related services, including physician offices, radiation, chemotherapy, and pain management in a new ten-story, 450,000 square foot building.
A legacy of giving
"We've had more than 50 years to observe Baylor as good stewards of the contributions made initially by Mr. Sammons, the Sammons family and the Sammons companies," said Robert W. Korba, chairman of Sammons Enterprises. "And we have had more than 30 years to watch how they have made a difference to the people of Dallas and North Texas who have been touched by cancer. In honor of Mr. Sammons and his tradition of philanthropy, we are pleased to make this current gift that will deliver high-quality care to cancer patients and continue the impressive cancer research and treatment at the new Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center."
With an entrepreneurial business sense that was evident when he was a teenager, Charles Sammons quietly built an enterprise that ranks among the largest privately-owned companies in the world. Charles Sammons was a visionary whose lifelong support of Baylor University Medical Center and commitment to improving health care began after both of his sisters were afflicted with cancer. For more than 50 years, Sammons and his companies have made a number of contributions to the hospital and he often served as a catalyst for philanthropy in Dallas by donating money as "challenge gifts" meant to inspire others to give.
Headquartered in Dallas, Sammons Enterprises is a privately-held multi-billion dollar global holding corporation that owns and operates businesses across a diverse range of industries including insurance, finance, equipment distribution, hospitality and real estate. The company also manages a large investment portfolio.
"Baylor has been fortunate to be the beneficiary of some extraordinary gifts over the decades. However, none have had the profound, transformational impact as the generosity of Charles A. Sammons, his family, and the men and women of the enterprise built by him. We are deeply grateful for their abiding concern and generous spirit. We are most appreciative for this gift which is the largest gift in Baylor's history and one of the largest single corporate donations to be received in North Texas."
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