"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket: Get the inside scoop on Arizona's social scene and celebrity news.
Banner Health’s new team declares "Cancer has met its match!"
There's an exciting new cancer prescription and it's on the verge of becoming a reality this month when Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center opens its doors in Gilbert, Arizona. The public is invited to various events Banner is hosting to give the community a sneak peek of its new jewel. Banner Health and MD Anderson have joined forces to battle cancer and build the center on the campus of the Banner Gateway Medical Center.
The accomplishments of raising $10 million of its $40 million fundraising campaign goal during a shaky economy are remarkable.
And its team of seed donors has blossomed into a GOLD MINE, so to speak. Not only is Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald the “Cancer Has Met its Match” fundraising committee’s Honorary Chair, but the General Campaign Chair is Richard C. Adkerson. He’s president and CEO of (FCX) Freeport- McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
A reception at Adkerson’s home in Paradise Valley was one of the committee’s several intimate gatherings to garner support for the new endeavor. During the intimate gathering at Richard Adkerson’s home, guests and donors were introduced to Edgardo Rivera , the newly appointed medical director of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. (Richard Adkerson and Edgardo Rivera are pictured above at the reception and Richard Adkerson is pictured below with Larry Fitzgerald).
Larry’s support and involvement is personal in the fight against cancer. His beloved mother Carol Fitzgerald to breast cancer and 3 of her sisters have also had cancer.This team effort of the community of Arizona, Banner and MD Anderson, will be MD Anderson's first full clinical extension outside of Greater Houston and is a milestone for both MD Anderson and Banner to provide access to a new level of cancer care in Arizona.
Lyn White and Kathleen Quirk at the reception
On the guest list at that reception were Kathleen Quirk, executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of FCX , Lyn White, director of government relations at FCX and the fundraising cabinet campaign Co- chairs; Kari and Paul Yatkowski and Steve Rizley, senior vice president and general manager of Cox Communications and his wife Marilyn Rizley.
FCX’s $ 1.5 million corporate donation (and Adkerson’s $500,000 donation) will advance cancer prevention, screening, and treatment for the more than 27,0000 Arizonans who are diagnosed with cancer annually.
Richard Adkerson and Steve Rizley at the reception
The Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center will support the multi-disciplinary care approach pioneered at the institution. The 120,000-square-foot, three-story building dedicated to outpatient services includes physician clinics, medical imaging, radiation oncology, infusion therapy and many support services. The center will treat inpatients on two floors inside Banner Gateway Medical Center.
Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Phoenix based reporter. You can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
