$12.5M Gift Boosts UK Markey Cancer Center Initiatives

Endowed fund and nonendowed gift to support research, education, and patient care at Kentucky's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation has announced a $12.5 million gift - a $12 million endowed fund and a $500,000 nonendowed fund - to support the priorities of the UK Markey Cancer Center and the UK College of Medicine. The gift was approved by the UK Board of Trustees and will help advance cancer research, education, and patient care in Kentucky.

Why it matters

The Markey Cancer Center is Kentucky's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing critical cancer research, treatment, and education for the state. This significant gift from the Markey Cancer Foundation will help ensure the center can continue its important work for generations to come.

The details

The $12 million endowed fund will be held in perpetuity and dedicated solely to supporting Markey's work in research, education, and clinical care. The additional $500,000 nonendowed gift will also support the cancer center's priorities. This funding comes as the Markey Cancer Foundation and UK's Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement work to better integrate fundraising operations to strengthen long-term support for the cancer center's mission.

  • The gift was approved by the UK Board of Trustees on February 19, 2026.
  • The Markey Cancer Foundation has raised over $110 million in philanthropic support for the cancer center since its founding in 1978.

The players

Alex Boone

Chair of the Markey Cancer Foundation and member of the UK Board of Trustees.

B. Mark Evers, M.D.

Director of the Markey Cancer Center.

University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation

A nonprofit organization that has raised over $110 million in philanthropic support for the Markey Cancer Center since 1978.

University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center

Kentucky's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing critical cancer research, treatment, and education.

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What they’re saying

“The Markey Cancer Foundation is more committed than ever in supporting UK and the Markey Cancer Center in caring for patients, educating future health care providers and investing in the investigation of new innovative therapies and groundbreaking research.”

— Alex Boone, Chair of the Markey Cancer Foundation and member of the UK Board of Trustees (Mirage News)

“For nearly 50 years, the Markey Cancer Foundation has been an incredible partner in advancing cancer research and care in Kentucky. I'm deeply grateful to the foundation's board and all the donors who have supported this work. This generous gift honors that legacy and will advance our ability to continue delivering the highest level of treatment and discovery right here in the Commonwealth.”

— B. Mark Evers, M.D., Director of the Markey Cancer Center (Mirage News)

What’s next

The $12.5 million gift is pending full approval by the UK Board of Trustees.

The takeaway

This significant investment from the Markey Cancer Foundation will help ensure the Markey Cancer Center, Kentucky's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, can continue its critical work in cancer research, education, and patient care for generations to come.