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Bruce and Izzie Cleland dancing

Bruce and Isobel dancing the night away at UM SJMC's 150th Anniversary Gala in 2014

Bruce Cleland and his family have made an indelible mark on the health and wellness of Marylanders.

Their gifts to University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) have funded programs and building projects that promote health equity and bring innovative care to the communities we serve.

The Orokawa Foundation, the family's Towson-based charitable organization, focuses on supporting programs that improve the health and wellness of people in their community, such as health care, education, human services and the environment.

However, fighting cancer has always been at the center of their giving efforts.

Learn how the Clelands' giving profoundly impacted:

Called to Fight Cancer

Bruce Cleland, who succumbed to cancer in 2021 after a 16-year battle, and his family began their cancer journey long before that when the Clelands' daughter, Georgia, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia in 1986.

His understanding about how giving can make the most impact took shape in 1988. In honor of Georgia, who ultimately overcame her bout with cancer, he assembled a team of non-runners to take on the NYC Marathon to raise money for blood cancer research.

Despite challenges, his group of armchair warriors was so successful that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society asked him to replicate the program nationwide. Now, 36 years later, Team in Training has become one of the most successful sports training programs for charities worldwide.

The incredible partnership between the Cleland family and UMMS began years later in 2005 after Bruce entrusted Mohan Suntha, MD, now UMMS president and CEO, with his cancer treatment. They developed a bond that led to mutual mentorship and a deep friendship.

"Part of Bruce's magic was the way he could persuade others around him into committing similar feats," said Dr. Suntha. "His determination and commitment to improve the lives of others never wavered — even under Bruce's most challenging personal circumstances."

Philosophy of Giving: Collective, Comprehensive, Community-Oriented

The underlying belief that shaped Bruce's giving philosophy was that collective efforts could achieve much more than individual endeavors. This began with that team of weekend warriors at the NYC Marathon and continued throughout his life.

In 1993, Bruce assumed the CEO role at Campbell & Co., a hedge fund based in Towson, and moved his family of six — wife Isobel, daughters Samantha and Georgia, and sons James and Mark — to Baltimore.

Since then, their unwavering dedication to community has established them and The Orokawa Foundation, as vital contributors to the Baltimore region for 20 years.

The Clelands' Impact at UMMS

Over the years, the Clelands have cultivated relationships with UMMS member organizations that have fostered health equity and fueled systemic transformation. Driven by their comprehensive philanthropic approach, the family collaborates with hospital leadership to pinpoint where their contributions will make the most significant difference in patient care.

University of Maryland Medicine

A strategic partnership in fundraising between the University of Maryland Medical Center and the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Bruce Cleland's battle with head-and-neck cancer led to a profound connection between his family and the University of Maryland Medical Center. The Cleland family' legacy continues to provide hope and new possibilities for cancer patients.

  • Research: Their generous support of UMMC's head-and-neck cancer research has led to groundbreaking advancements that are changing how this disease is treated.
  • Patient Experience: Through the PATCH Fund, supported by the Orokawa Foundation, UMMC patients facing cancer can confidently approach their journey, knowing they have access to vital resources. This fund is just one example of how the Clelands' giving makes a real difference in the lives of our patients every day.
  • Innovative Treatment: Their ongoing support has also been instrumental in advancing our Radiation Oncology Program of Excellence. By funding research in proton therapy and other innovative treatments, the Cleland family is helping us deliver cutting-edge care that improves patients' outcomes.
  • New Facilities: A new state-of-the-art infusion center in the new Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine, the future home of University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC), is made possible by a transformative gift. It will provide patients with the care and comfort they need during their treatment journey.
  • Education: Their gifts have funded crucial cancer research and established the Bruce and Isobel Cleland Chair of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery endowed professorship at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

UM St. Joseph Medical Center

The Cleland family's impact on the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center is a powerful reminder of how philanthropy can drive transformative change. Their contributions have included:

  • Support for behavioral health services at The Philip A. Zaffere Emergency Care Area in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Emergency Department
  • The renovation of The Cynthia "Brownie" Goetze Pediatric Unit.

Thanks to the Cleland family's vision and generosity, UM SJMC launched its most extensive campaign — nearly $25 million — to renovate our perioperative spaces, including the Orokawa Surgical Services Center.

UM Shore Regional Health

The Cleland family's commitment to health care extends to the Eastern Shore, where their support is helping to bring a new standard of patient-centered care to UM Shore Regional Health.

The Clelands' generosity has been a beacon of hope for patients at UM SRH. Their support for the new regional medical center will help provide state-of-the-art care that meets the unique needs of the Eastern Shore community.

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