|
Charity Created by Philanthropic Founder of Motor Trend and Hot Rod Magazine’s Gift to be used for Advanced Cancer Clinics and Research
Santa Monica, Calif. (July 30, 2008) – Reflecting the passion for life and legacy of philanthropy of the founder of Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines, The Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation has given $15 million to Saint John’s Health Center and the John Wayne Cancer Institute to name the Cancer Clinics in Saint John’s new Keck Diagnostic and Treatment Center.
“My doctors at Saint John’s taught me that cancer is a chronic illness, not a death sentence,” said Philanthropist Margie Petersen, who is a long-time survivor of breast cancer. “We feel our gift can help advance the research and treatment Saint John’s and John Wayne Cancer Institute are doing to help thousands of patients suffering from many forms of this disease. It is a happy coincidence that John Wayne and Mr. Petersen were close friends for many years.”
“This generous gift is a tribute to the Petersens’ love of life and concern for the well-being of the community,” said Chief of Science and Medicine, Director, John Wayne Cancer Institute Breast Center Armando Giuliano, MD, who treated Mrs. Petersen. “They serve as role models to every patient who faces cancer. We appreciate their partnership as we move into a new era of cancer research and treatment.”
Scheduled to open next year, the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation Cancer Clinics will be the clinical home of the Radiation Oncology Center, the Breast Center and the Cancer Clinic. As part of this joint initiative of Saint John’s Health Center and the John Wayne Cancer Institute, funds also will be dedicated to enhancing the internationally recognized breast cancer research program of the John Wayne Cancer Institute directed by Dr. Giuliano.
The Cancer Clinic is the latest in a long legacy of major charities founded or supported by the Petersens. The Petersens are the founding benefactors of the world-renowned Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The 300,000-square-foot Petersen Automotive Museum was made possible by their forty ($40) million dollar gift. The Petersen Automotive Museum keeps giving to the community by making the facility available to charities and especially through its children's educational programs. They have been long time supporters of Saint John's Health Center and the John Wayne Cancer Institute and were founding members of the Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars Sinai. The Petersens also donated the building that houses the Boys and Girls Club in Hollywood
“This monumental gift will be the cornerstone of our cancer translational research and clinical programs,” said Lou Lazatin, President and CEO of Saint John’s Health Center and the John Wayne Institute. “The Petersens’ legacy enables us to advance our vision of accelerating the delivery of breakthrough treatments and hope to patients.”
Along with The Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation Cancer Clinics, the 275,000-square-foot, four-story Howard Keck Diagnostic and Treatment Center will house Southern California’s newest Emergency Department, state-of-the-art operating rooms and cath labs, and an advanced imaging center that includes a 64-slice CT and a new 3.0 Tesla MRI. The Petersens’ gift supplements the $35-million gift from Philanthropists Michele Chan and Patrick Soon-Shiong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abraxis BioScience.
“I am particularly touched by the generosity and genius of Dr. Soon-Shiong and his wife Michele Chan,” said Margie Petersen. “The cancer drug Abraxene that he created is a gift from God that greatly helped me survive cancer for more than 18 years. This new facility will no doubt touch the lives of thousands more patients.”
###
About Margie and Robert E. Petersen
Married for 45 years, Margie and Robert E. Petersen are renowned for their successful publishing business and generosity as leading philanthropists. The Petersens created a magazine empire that gave birth to Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Car Craft, Rod & Custom and 94 enthusiasts' titles. They are famous for their zest for life with automobiles, food, wine and the outdoors and their dedication to community services. They founded the world-famous Petersen Automotive Museum, and their contributions were fundamental in the establishment of the Thalians and the Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood. The Petersens also have contributed greatly to the well-being of the community, being long-term supporters of such leading healthcare organizations as Saint John’s Health Center and the John Wayne Cancer Institute Center. The Petersen were founding members of STOP Cancer, The ABC's, Music Center Founders and one of the major donors for Research for Women's Cancers at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. They are active members in Operation Children, Childhelp, League for Children, Diadames of the Child Care League and are lifetime members of rthe Mary and Joseph League. Margie Petersen was "Woman of the Year'” by St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., founded by their dear friend Danny Thomas and members of the Checkered Flag 200 at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
About the John Wayne Cancer Institute
Since 1981, the John Wayne name has been committed by the Wayne family to groundbreaking cancer research and education in memory of their father, who died of cancer. The John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center has received worldwide acclaim for advances in melanoma (skin cancer), breast and colon cancer research, as well as for immune therapy of cancer. Other areas of research include prostate and liver cancer. With its unique ability to rapidly turn scientific breakthroughs into innovative approaches to treatment and early detection, the Institute provides immediate hope to cancer patients around the globe.
About Saint John’s Health Center
Since its founding in 1942 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Saint John’s Health Center has been providing the patients and families of Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and ocean communities with compassionate, advanced medical care. Saint John’s provides a spectrum of treatment and diagnostic services with distinguished areas of excellence in cancer care, cardiac care, orthopedics and women’s health. Saint John’s Health Center is dedicated to bringing to the community the most innovative advances in medicine and technology.
|