On Nov. 5, the Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center will honor Omaha philanthropist Chuck Durham at its Ambassador of Hope Gala at the Qwest Center Omaha.
The Ambassador of Hope Award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions in the fight against cancer through their research or patient care activities, or by raising the public’s awareness of cancer. The Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is a community-based group committed to raising funds for cancer research.
A business and civic leader in Omaha for several decades, Durham and his late wife, Margre, have made a major impact on UNMC research, education and patient care.
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Durham has given UNMC the single largest contribution ever and helped to support further fund-raising efforts for the 10-level, $77 million Durham Research Center that opened in 2003. The 289,000-square-foot Durham Research Center houses 116 research laboratories, a 319-seat auditorium, three classrooms and 12 conference/seminar rooms. Five of the 12 primary researchers in the center are involved in cancer research. His donations also included a 540,000-square-foot employee parking structure which opened in 2003.
In 1998, the Durhams established a permanent endowment fund through the University of Nebraska Foundation. The Charles W. and Margre H. Durham Excellence in Medicine Fund is used to support innovative education and research programs in the UNMC College of Medicine in three key areas — arthritis, prostate and breast cancer, and minimally invasive surgery. In recognition of the gift, the Outpatient Care Center was renamed the Durham Outpatient Center in 1999.
The Durhams’ support also made it possible for UNMC to be the eighth medical center in the country to acquire the computer-assisted surgical robotic da Vinci Surgical System.
Chuck Durham serves as the chief executive officer of Durham Resources. He previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of HDR, Inc., an international engineering and architectural firm with work in all 50 states and 20 countries.
“Chuck Durham has directly helped UNMC advance toward its goal of becoming a leader in research,” said Kenneth H. Cowan, M.D., Ph.D, director, UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “The generosity of Chuck Durham has helped the cancer center make great strides in the fight against these devastating diseases.”
The Friends of the UNMC Cancer Center are coordinating the award dinner. Honorary chairpersons for the event are Walter and Sue Scott. General co-chairs are Jane Rips, Teri Teutsch and Susie Buffett.