The Leon Levine Foundation's $25 million grant represents the largest charitable gift in the history of Carolinas HealthCare System and the foundation’s largest commitment to date.
In April, Carolinas HealthCare System announced a $25 million commitment from The Leon Levine Foundation to support the significant expansion of
Levine Cancer Institute, including $20 million for infrastructure and $5 million in endowment challenge funding.
In 2010, The Leon Levine Foundation committed $20 million to establish Levine Cancer Institute, bringing a transformative approach to the delivery of cancer care in the Carolinas. The Institute’s unique access model delivers innovative treatments at facilities both within the Charlotte metropolitan area and beyond, thereby eliminating barriers to world-class care for patients in less populated regions. Levine Cancer Institute has expanded to 25 sites within the Carolinas HealthCare System footprint and now treats 15,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients a year, putting it on par with some of the most distinguished cancer centers in the nation.
Inspired by the phenomenal growth Levine Cancer Institute has experienced since opening its doors in 2012, The Leon Levine Foundation stepped forward to help advance the $150 million expansion project that Carolinas HealthCare System announced in early March. The Leon Levine Foundation funding will support the construction of a seven-floor 260,000 square-foot advanced outpatient center adjacent to the Institute’s research and administration headquarters. This will expand hematologic, thoracic, and gastrointestinal oncology programs available in the region. The new facility will also enhance translational research capacity in several specialties and will provide space for continued growth of survivorship programs, integrative oncology, rehabilitation, and telemedicine services.
“We are very proud to be able to help bring world class cancer care to this community,” said Leon Levine. “Almost every week Sandra and I are approached by someone who has been positively impacted by Levine Cancer Institute. It’s a facility which helps so many and is a real gem for Charlotte’s medical community.”
As the need for comprehensive cancer care in the region continues to grow, the expansions supported by The Leon Levine Foundation will help ensure that patients have access to the best care available, regardless of where they live. “Access to cancer treatment and research is a crucial measurement to assess cancer care across the region and the country and is driving the expansion of Levine Cancer Institute,” said
Derek Raghavan, MD, PhD, President of Levine Cancer Institute. “I am extremely grateful to Sandra and Leon Levine for their visionary support of the resources we need to provide broader and deeper treatment options for patients across the region. They are truly helping us to transform cancer care.”
With the announcement of this grant, The Leon Levine Foundation has now contributed over $65 million to enhance medical programs, build new facilities, and bring clinical innovations and the brightest talent to Carolinas Healthcare System.
