On Aug. 14, 2025, Phil and Penny Knight announced a record-breaking $2 billion gift to the Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute to transform the future of cancer care and set a new standard globally.

“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. 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.”

Phil Knight is no stranger to pushing boundaries and breaking records. Known for his bold and competitive leadership, Mr. Knight co-founded Nike and grew it into the world’s largest footwear, apparel and equipment company, and one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. In the same way that Nike has impacted and shaped sport, the Knights have supported a revolution in the fight against cancer through their philanthropic support. With this pledge, they recognize there is still more to be done and that this gift will allow the seamless integration of the best treatments with the best care.

The Knights have a long history of teaming with Brian Druker, M.D., and the Knight Cancer Institute’s team to end cancer as we know it. Dr. Druker holds the JELD-WEN Chair of Leukemia Research and was the lead developer of Gleevec, a drug that transformed the survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia from less than five years to a diagnosis for which a normal lifespan can be expected. Gleevec specifically targets cancer cells without harming normal cells. It received FDA approval in record time in 2001 and helped to usher in the era of precision medicine.

In 2013, the Knights pledged a $500 million donation to the Knight Cancer Institute if the university could match it within two years. In one of the most ambitious feats in fundraising history, the $1 billion Knight Cancer Challenge was successfully completed, thanks to $200 million in bonds from the Oregon Legislature, $100 million from Gert Boyle, chair of Columbia Sportswear, and donations from 10,000 individuals from all 50 states and 15 countries.

These funds were used to establish one of the first large-scale early cancer detection programs, spurring the development of numerous blood tests for the early detection of cancer. And the investment allowed the Knight Cancer Institute to continue to lead in targeted therapies and precision medicine.

The Knights’ investment of $2 billion was inspired by Dr. Druker’s vision to integrate the benefits of scientific discovery they have supported in the past with unmatched cancer care. This fully integrated cancer care model will expand and accelerate diagnostics, ensure access to innovative clinical trials informed by Knight researchers and simplify the experience for patients and families. Every patient will have access to a full range of much-needed support resources, including nutritional support; psychological, genetic and financial counseling; symptom management; survivorship care and support; and other complementary therapies.