Texas Legislature Celebrates M. D. Anderson's Six Decades of "Making Cancer History"

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the 77th Texas Legislature recently passed a concurrent resolution expressing gratitude on behalf of the nearly 500,000 patients who have been served by the Houston cancer center.

The resolution was presented to Dr. John Mendelsohn, president of M. D. Anderson, in ceremonies on the floor of the Senate.

Joining Dr. Mendelsohn for the celebration was The University of Texas System Chancellor, Dr. R.D. "Dan" Burck; Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Dr. Charles Mullins; Francie Frederick, executive secretary to the UT System Board of Regents; and Forrest Hoglund, chairman of M. D. Anderson's Board of Visitors.

The 47th Texas Legislature created the State Cancer Hospital and Division of Cancer Research in 1941, now known as The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, internationally recognized as one of the world's largest and most productive, comprehensive cancer centers. Last year U. S. News & World Report named M. D. Anderson the best cancer hospital in America.

"Our faculty, staff and volunteers are proud that our work at M. D. Anderson has brought national and international attention to Texas, but we are not resting on our laurels," said Dr. Mendelsohn. "The prevalence of cancer is increasing as our population is aging, and we face great challenges in the detection and treatment of several forms of cancer. Yet the progress we have made against cancer is clear in the increasing number of therapeutic options and in the enhanced quality and length of cancer patients' lives. That progress occurs through research - basic, translational and clinical - and we are committed to further growth in our research programs and in our patient care activities to better serve individuals with cancer."

The concurrent resolution recognizes that:

• Nearly 500,000 people - the majority of them Texans - have been served at M. D. Anderson and that other patients throughout the world have benefited from numerous research discoveries made by the institution's faculty and staff;
  
  
• More than 40,000 physicians, scientists, nurses and health care professionals have trained at M. D. Anderson, and the institution has embraced cancer prevention, public education, and community service as key elements of its mission;
  
  
• M. D. Anderson sets an international standard of care for cancer patients and truly brings honor to Texas;
  
  
• The support of the UT Regents and the volunteers of the University Cancer Foundation Board of Visitors have been vital to the success of M. D. Anderson; and
  
  
• Thousands of patients, faculty, employees, volunteers and donors have come together over the past 60 years to foster the extraordinary partnership that assures M. D. Anderson will continue "Making Cancer History."

M. D. Anderson is named for the late Houston philanthropist Monroe Dunaway Anderson, whose foundation matched a State appropriation of $500,000 to establish the cancer research hospital. A banker and cotton broker, Anderson left his money to be used for the promotion of health, science and education after his death and thus never knew of the Texas treasure named in his honor.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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