A line has been drawn in the fight against cancer. That's the mission of a new alliance between The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and NRG Media, which owns local radio statios such as 1620 AM, 98.5 FM and 101.9 FM. It also will be the focus of a new fundraising effort set to begin in April, called "WE CAN."
Click here to see a video on the effort.
"Our radio stations and on-air staff are so committed to doing this," said Andy Ruback, general manager of NRG. "We are proud to stand alongside some of the brightest minds in cancer research, treatment and education and lend our full support to making a difference for people here in the communities where we live and work."
From its inception, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center has been a model of community partnership. The $323 million center is the result of an unprecedented partnership between private donors, public investment and individual fundraising efforts.
"Those initial investments are what put up the physical structure of the cancer center. Ongoing support from the community with the help of NRG will allow us to build strong programs to care of our patients," said Sarah Thayer, M.D., Ph.D., physician-in-chief of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
The WE CAN event is set to begin April 9 and run through April 10 on all seven NRG Media radio stations. Listeners of diverse types of music, talk and sports will hear stories of the milestones achieved at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine in the past and hear the bold plans for the future — building the nation's finest cancer research and treatment facility here in Omaha. Most importantly, they'll hear from patients who've benefited from the care, treatment and research provided at the med center.
NRG and med center staff members will be answering pledge calls in a call center at NRG Media headquarters in Midtown Omaha. They won't be the only ones.
"We plan on having some well-known local celebrities on the phones with us as well," Ruback said. "You'll also hear some well-known and familiar voices affirming their support for this effort on all of our stations."
"Support like this is absolutely essential," said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. "We know with strong and dedicated support from the NRG team we are truly building for the future and making a cancer center that will change the lives of so many patients and their families and it also will make the state of Nebraska stronger."
What is NRG?? Never heard of it.