Building Hope
During December’s Lighting Campus for Hope event, Texas Tech Health El Paso celebrated a year of achievements, including the success of the Building Hope Campaign in support of the future Fox Cancer Center.
Texas Tech Health El Paso Building Hope Campaign Exceeds $50 Million
The campaign supports the Fox Cancer Center and will change the future of cancer care across our Borderplex
Just months after launching the Building Hope Campaign, one of the largest fundraising initiatives in the university's history, Texas Tech Health El Paso has raised $52.5 million with the help of visionary donors to help build the Fox Cancer Center and deliver comprehensive, world-class cancer care in the heart of El Paso.
On Sept. 17, 2025, Texas Tech Health El Paso celebrated the groundbreaking of the Fox Cancer Center with over 700 community members in attendance. The event also marked a historic moment for the future of cancer care with the announcement of the Building Hope Campaign.
The campaign launched in dynamic fashion, anchored by $35 million in lead gifts from Steve and Nancy Fox and the Fox family, the Hunt Family Foundation and the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. This early success was built on extraordinary public support, including a partnership with the University Medical Center of El Paso and $130 million in Texas Legislature appropriations, and spurred additional contributions from families and partners like Ed and Margie Escudero, GECU, L&F Distributors, El Paso Electric and the Electric Company Charitable Foundation.
“The Fox Cancer Center will become a place where cutting-edge research, advanced treatment, prevention and comprehensive cancer care come together under one roof,” said Crystal Long, president and CEO of GECU. This year, the GECU Foundation made an unprecedented $10 million gift to establish the GECU Women’s Health Wing in the new Fox Cancer Center, one of the most significant investments in public health in our history.
“Because of our visionary donors, dedicated community members, trailblazing leaders and passionate staff in the Office of Institutional Advancement, we’re changing the future of health across our Borderplex,” said Andrea Tawney, Ph.D., vice president for the Office of Institutional Advancement. “This campaign is not just about raising money; it’s about the impact we can have together when we believe we can make a difference. Our very campus was established with this mission at the heart of all we do.”
The funding will support the construction of the building and the acquisition of specialized, state-of-the-art cancer treatment equipment. These investments will allow the comprehensive cancer center to launch at full capacity, serving more Borderplex patients from day one, so patients no longer have to bear the cost and hardship of traveling out of town for treatment. The cancer center will also offer routine cancer screenings, allowing for earlier and more effective treatment. Over the decades, screenings have significantly reduced U.S. mortality rates for cancers such as cervical and colorectal cancer, which have decreased by 55% and 45%, respectively.
By surpassing $50 million, Texas Tech Health El Paso will gain momentum as the cancer center is under construction. We are creating more opportunities to develop the campaign and meet the needs of our community, but our work is not done. We want to make sure the doors open in 2028 fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology, access to world class cancer specialists and a patient-centric building that offers hope in every space.
How You Can Join the Building Hope Campaign
The Building Hope Campaign offers an opportunity to transform cancer care for families across West Texas and our entire Borderplex. Pledges may be fulfilled over multiple years, allowing donors to make a long-term impact. Every gift of any size has the power to save a life, offer hope, and be a part of our community's cancer center forever.
We invite our Borderplex community to join us. Go HERE to learn more about ways to give and follow the campaign progress.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement Andrea Tawney, Ph.D., second from left, with Steve and Nancy Fox and Texas Tech Health El Paso President Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., at the groundbreaking for the Fox Cancer Center.
Leaving on a High Note: Dr. Andrea Tawney Concludes Seven Successful Years as Leader of Institutional Advancement
That type of success doesn’t come easily unless you have a transformational, servant-leader like Dr. Tawney, who is departing the university after seven years as the vice president of Institutional Advancement. She played an instrumental role in mobilizing resources to address the region's critical needs, raising nearly $100 million along the way.
Under her leadership, Texas Tech Health El Paso became the only institution in the Texas Tech University System to endow each of its schools. She also led several campaigns directly benefiting students, including raising $1.75 million for Hunt School of Nursing anniversary scholarships and $755,000 for Foster School of Medicine scholarships over a nine-month campaign. As her final professional accolade at Texas Tech Health El Paso, she led the team that made history for the future of cancer care in our Borderplex through the Building Hope Campaign.
While raising money is a responsibility as a fundraiser, it’s not the core of her vision. Dr. Tawney’s vision impacts health education, access to care, health equity, institutional visibility and leadership development.
Looking ahead, Dr. Tawney plans to spend more time with family and continue supporting mission-driven organizations through her consulting work. Her influence and all those who are building hope alongside her, however, will resonate for generations.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
Focusing on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,600 professionals over the past decade. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.