Portland, Oregon – August 14, 2025 – In what marks the largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university or academic health center, Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny Knight have pledged $2 billion to the Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute.
This landmark gift will enable a revolutionary, fully integrated model of cancer care — expanding research, diagnostics, clinical trials, and patient access to comprehensive support including nutritional care, counseling, financial guidance, symptom management, and survivorship services.
To amplify impact, the Knight Cancer Institute will become a self-governed entity within OHSU, operating under a new independent structure — the Knight Cancer Group — with its own board of directors. Dr. Brian Druker will serve as its inaugural president.
This new donation builds on a decade-long philanthropic partnership. In 2008, the Knights gave $100 million to rename and launch the institute, followed by a $500 million challenge in 2013 that successfully raised $1 billion for early detection and precision treatment initiatives.
OHSU President Dr. Shereef Elnahal called it “an unprecedented investment in the millions of lives burdened with cancer,” while Governor Tina Kotek hailed it as a transformative milestone for Oregon and global cancer care.
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