May 13, 2022

Contact:

Karen Warmkessel:

The Building for Life Campaign has raised $51.4 million of its $55 million goal for the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine—the new home of UMGCCC

Today, the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) and the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) announced the public launch of the Building for Life Campaign, an extraordinary effort to raise $55 million for the construction of the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine—the new home of UMGCCC. The Building for Life Campaign also supports the advancement of clinical care, patient support services, research, training, and education within the cancer center.

In correspondence with the public launch, the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) Foundation created a website that highlights ways to give and focuses on the continued fundraising opportunities for this transformational campaign. More information can be found at ummsfoundation.org/BuildingForLife.

The Building for Life Campaign is led by William (Brit) Kirwan, PhD, a UMMC board member who serves as the Building for Life Campaign chair; Kevin J. Cullen, MD, the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Distinguished Professor of Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and director of the UMGCCC; and a group of dedicated volunteer community leaders on the campaign committee.

"Patient volumes have grown significantly over the years, yet the physical space of the cancer center has stayed the same. The Building for Life Campaign addresses UMGCCC's urgent need to expand patient care and advance critical areas of cancer research," explained Dr. Kirwan. "I am so privileged to serve as the campaign chairman and work alongside dedicated individuals who have helped generate extraordinary support for the new building. The campaign will impact the lives of untold thousands for years to come."

Since 2018, the Building for Life Campaign has secured $51.4 million of its $55 million goal, thanks to the generosity of 130 donors. The historic gift from Roslyn and Leonard Stoler—for whom the building is named—helped to propel the campaign and inspire several donors to invest in this transformational project.

"Our deepest wish is that we can bring some light to people who are suffering physically and mentally. If we help them in any way, we're satisfied," Leonard Stoler said. "We care about people, we want to help," Roslyn Stoler added. "Helping people is what is so important to both of us."

Thanks to the engagement of leaders within the University of Maryland Medical System, UMMC, and UMGCCCC, and partners throughout the community, the Building for Life Campaign has inspired participation from many philanthropists. This includes multiple seven-figure gifts and a cornerstone eight-figure gift from:

Roslyn and Leonard Stoler
The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation
Harry J. Brodie, Ph.D.
Karis and Steve Colnitis
The Davis Family Foundation
James C. "Chip" DiPaula, Jr.
Patrick and Amy Miller
The Orokawa Foundation
Edward and Jennifer St. John

In addition, much of the campaign's success is attributed to the commitment and engagement of the Building for Life Campaign committee:

Marie G. Bowers
R. Alan Butler
Harriet E. Cooperman, Esq.
Alfred (Al) M. Diggs
James (Chip) C. DiPaula, Jr.
Scott E. Dorsey
S. Robert (Bobby) Ginsberg
Barry P. Gossett
Gary A. Jobson
Robert (Bobby) G. Merrick, III
Susan Wilde Hughes Mertes
Todd E. Milliron, RN
Aaron Rapoport, MD
Morton (Mort) I. Rapoport, MD
Barry A. Stoler
Leonard (Len) Stoler
Roslyn (Roz) Stoler
Stanley (Stan) G. Whitbey

"It has been a pleasure to work in close partnership with so many people who share a passion for changing the future of cancer care," said Dr. Cullen. "This is an exciting time not only for our prestigious cancer center, but our entire institution. The new Stoler Center is a tremendous opportunity to expand our physical structure to complement the strength we have in research, discovery, and patient care."

For more details on the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine, please see this press release. For updates on the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine please visit umm.edu/StolerCenter. For more information about the Building for Life Campaign or to make a gift, please visit: ummsfoundation.org/BuildingForLife.

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