Roswell Park Extends its Deepest Sympathies on the Passing of Longtime Friend and Benefactor Ralph Wilson Jr.

“We were so deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our friend Ralph Wilson Jr. It's hard for any of us who have been touched by Mr. Wilson's passion for philanthropy to adequately convey the magnitude of his support. He was an advocate for advancing medical research and an active partner with all of the organizations his philanthropy supported. The Ralph Wilson Medical Research Foundation has provided instrumental funding of more than $11 million to support numerous national medical research organizations, including Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

For more than a decade Mr. Wilson has been a major supporter of Roswell Park, providing nearly $2 million in seed funding that fueled various research endeavors and moved innovative and promising medical research ideas forward. He also cared deeply about the patients at Roswell Park, compassion evidenced by his recent gift of an additional $1 million to help construct the Institute’s new Clinical Sciences Center, funds which were specifically earmarked to help build a new chemotherapy unit for patients. His support for that critical clinical expansion will help to ensure that his generosity will impact patients’ lives for decades to come. Mr. Wilson was a giant in Western New York with ties that expanded the nation in so many respects, and his loss is deeply felt.”

Candace Johnson, PhD

Deputy Director, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, N.Y.

Past Chair, Ralph Wilson Medical Research Foundation

###

The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park is one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.