Lexington Cancer Foundation Donates $1.2M for New UK Markey Cancer Center

Gift funded largely by proceeds from Andrea Bocelli concert at Rupp Arena.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Lexington Cancer Foundation has presented a $1.2 million gift to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, completing the organization's $5 million commitment to the UK Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building. The new facility will serve as the future home of the Markey Cancer Center, expanding access to cancer treatment, improving patient outcomes, and supporting research for patients across Kentucky.

Why it matters

The Markey Cancer Center is Kentucky's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing patients access to the latest treatments and clinical trials. The new centralized facility will improve convenience for patients and foster collaboration among Markey clinicians and researchers.

The details

The $1.2 million gift, largely funded by proceeds from an Andrea Bocelli concert at Rupp Arena in December 2025, was recognized during a UK women's basketball game. The 550,000-square-foot Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building, currently under construction, will bring Markey's outpatient clinics and oncology support services under one roof.

  • The Lexington Cancer Foundation presented the $1.2 million gift on February 15, 2026.
  • The Andrea Bocelli concert that helped fund the gift was held in December 2025.
  • The Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building is slated for completion in 2027.

The players

Lexington Cancer Foundation

A nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families throughout Kentucky.

University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center

Kentucky's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing patients access to the latest treatments and clinical trials.

Andrea Bocelli

An Italian tenor who performed a concert at Rupp Arena in Lexington in December 2025, with proceeds helping to fund the Lexington Cancer Foundation's gift.

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What they’re saying

“The Lexington Cancer Foundation's mission is to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families throughout the Commonwealth. We are proud to complete this commitment to the new Markey Cancer Center building, which will bring a new era of advanced cancer research, treatment and services for all Kentuckians.”

— Brenda Rice, Founder and Chair, Lexington Cancer Foundation

What’s next

The Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building and an adjacent 2,400-space parking structure are slated for completion in 2027.

The takeaway

This gift from the Lexington Cancer Foundation, funded in part by a popular concert, demonstrates the community's commitment to expanding access to advanced cancer care and research at the Markey Cancer Center, which serves patients across Kentucky.