Phil and Penny Knight Make $2 Billion Donation to Cancer Research

Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny, have pledged a $2 billion donation to the Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cancer Institute.

The research institute announced the donation yesterday, confirming that it is the largest single donation to a university in the country, surpassing Michael Bloomberg's $1.8 billion donation to Johns Hopkins University in 2018.

OHSU confirms that this latest donation accelerates diagnostics, provides access to various clinical trials from Knight researchers, and streamlines experiences for patients and families.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to invest in the next stage of the Druker-led revolutionary vision of cancer research, diagnosis, treatment, care, and some day, eradication," a statement made by OHSU via a press release. "We couldn’t be more excited about the transformational potential of this work for humanity. We are confident that establishing the Knight Cancer Institute as a self-governed entity within OHSU will help the Knight and OHSU reach these goals."

Nike has a long-standing partnership with OHSU, specifically its Doernbecher Children's Hospital, dating back to 2004. Formed through their partnership is the Doernbecher Freestyle program, which has young patients from the hospital design limited sneakers and apparel. Since '04, the initiative has raised close to $31 million, with proceeds benefitting the hospital.