Powering New Possibilities
GECU Foundation Invests $500,000 in Future Fox Cancer Center at Texas Tech Health El Paso
Gift to Building Hope Campaign will help bring comprehensive cancer care closer to home for Borderplex families
The GECU Foundation is investing $500,000 in the future Fox Cancer Center at Texas Tech Health El Paso, helping bring comprehensive cancer care closer to home for patients and families across our Borderplex.
The gift to Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Building Hope Campaign will support construction of the Fox Cancer Center. The investment will help prepare the cancer center to meet the region’s healthcare needs when it opens.
For GECU Foundation Executive Director Emmeline Garcia, the investment is about ensuring patients facing cancer can receive exceptional care without leaving the community and support systems they know.
“Our commitment to the Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Fox Cancer Center is an investment in the health of those who live in our region. We’re honored to support this remarkable center that will bring world-class cancer care and innovation to countless people right here in the heart of El Paso,” Garcia said.
That mission has special meaning for El Paso cancer patient Octavio Morales.
When Morales learned his cancer had spread from his kidney to his bones, he initially believed he would have to leave El Paso for treatment. Along with confronting his diagnosis, Morales and his family suddenly faced questions about where they would stay and how they would afford traveling elsewhere for care.
Instead, Morales was able to receive specialized care in El Paso, including treatment from Rajiv Rajani, M.D., chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at Texas Tech Health El Paso and a specialist in orthopaedic oncology.
“We didn’t know where we would stay or, financially, how we were going to prepare for that,” Morales said. “It was just darkness for us. There was no light at the end of the tunnel until we were able to see Dr. Rajani here. That gave us a great amount of hope, and it made a big difference.”
Morales said his experience showed him the importance of receiving cancer care in the community where patients have the support of family and friends.
“It’s like any battle. You feel stronger on your own home ground, in your own backyard. And for us, it’s El Paso,” Morales said. “Having a cancer center here, where we don’t have to travel across the country, will make everything so much easier for us. It’ll give us that little bit of a morale boost that we all need.”
Now under construction on campus, the Fox Cancer Center is a partnership between Texas Tech Health El Paso and University Medical Center of El Paso, the university’s primary teaching hospital. Together, the two institutions are combining the strengths of academic medicine and community-based care to establish the region’s first comprehensive cancer center. Texas Tech Health El Paso and UMC are bringing together oncology specialists, advanced cancer treatment, research, clinical trials, education and support services to provide compassionate care close to home.
Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., president of Texas Tech Health El Paso, said gifts like the GECU Foundation’s are essential for making the Fox Cancer Center a world-class facility that will improve the lives of people in our region.
“The GECU Foundation has long demonstrated its commitment to investing in the health and well-being of our community,” Dr. Lange said. “Their generosity reflects our shared commitment to ensuring families throughout the Borderplex have access to exceptional cancer care close to home. This investment in the Fox Cancer Center will help us build a healthier future for our region, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.”
For Morales, support for expanded cancer care in El Paso ultimately comes back to the patients and families confronting a diagnosis.
“I just want to say thank you to everybody that’s fighting for us,” Morales said. “Having support from people like you all and the people helping us here means so very much to us. It’s really hard to put into words what we’re going through. Again, I’m one of the very lucky ones. I feel very blessed.”
About GECU Foundation
The GECU Foundation is the philanthropic arm of GECU, embracing the credit union's people helping people philosophy by supporting charitable causes that enrich communities and improve the lives of the people who live in them. Since its inception, the GECU Foundation has invested more than $10 million back into the communities it serves, supporting nonprofit organizations, educational initiatives, scholarships, and community programs that help individuals and families thrive. Through strategic partnerships and charitable giving, the GECU Foundation is committed to creating meaningful and lasting change across Texas and New Mexico.
The GECU Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity established to maximize philanthropic efforts benefiting education, community programs and charitable giving. If you itemize deductions on your federal tax return, you may be entitled to claim your donation to the GECU Foundation as a charitable deduction. Please consult your tax adviser.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves West Texas and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. 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 healthcare education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated more than 2,600 professionals over the past decade. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.