Tim Duncan Donates $247K to San Antonio 1000 Cancer Genome Project

Spurs big man Tim Duncan, through his foundation, made a generous gift of $247,000 to the San Antonio Cancer Genome Project it was announced Monday.

The project’s aim is to accelerate the development of new anticancer drugs; it was launched in 2012.

From the press release:

The San Antonio 1000 Cancer Genome Project is a one-of-a-kind cancer genome research project that has the unprecedented support of more than 200 surgeons, oncologists, and cancer researchers from a broad spectrum of affiliations. This unparalleled collaboration is enabling researchers to step beyond the institutional barriers that currently fragment and piecemeal cancer research, and makes the San Antonio 1000 Cancer Genome Project the largest community-wide undertaking of its kind.

 

Like most people, Tim Duncan has been touched personally by cancer, and hopes for a cure for cancer in his lifetime. Duncan says he was drawn to the San Antonio 1000 Cancer Genome Project, “because the information collected will ultimately be shared.” […] “The idea that a group of cancer researchers were willing to set aside egos, to make the information freely available and work strictly for the greater good of curing cancer was exactly the type of cancer project I was willing to support,” Duncan said.

 

The project’s founder is Dr. Anthony Tolcher, director of clinical research for START. […] “I couldn’t have been more surprised and grateful,” said Dr. Tolcher, when presented with Tim Duncan’s donation. “This gift will benefit the people of San Antonio and demonstrates the commitment that Mr. Duncan has to this city and the people of San Antonio.”