Published Time: 08-15-2025, 17:00

Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny have pledged a record-breaking $2 billion to the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), marking the largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university. The historic gift will significantly enhance cancer research, patient care, and support services both in Oregon and nationwide.

OHSU President Shereef Elnahal called the contribution “an unprecedented investment in the millions of lives burdened with cancer, especially patients and families here in Oregon,” emphasizing its potential to transform cancer treatment and research.

Expanding Patient Care and Support Services

The donation will expand access to a wide range of resources for patients, including psychological, genetic, and financial counseling, symptom management, nutritional support, and survivorship care. These measures aim to provide comprehensive assistance to patients and their families throughout their cancer journey.

In a joint statement, Phil and Penny Knight said, “We couldn’t be more excited about the transformational potential of this work for humanity.” Their commitment reflects a long-standing dedication to cancer research and public health.

Record-Breaking University Contribution

OHSU described the gift as the largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university, college, or academic health center. The Knights’ $2 billion contribution surpasses the $1.8 billion donation made by Michael Bloomberg to Johns Hopkins University in 2018, which was previously the largest single university gift in U.S. history. Bloomberg also donated an additional $1 billion to Johns Hopkins last year to support tuition and living costs for students from lower-income families.

The magnitude of the donation will allow the Knight Cancer Institute to operate as a self-governed entity with its own board of directors within OHSU, providing greater autonomy for strategic decision-making and research initiatives.

Phil Knight’s Ongoing Commitment to Cancer Research

Phil Knight, Oregon’s wealthiest individual, has a long history of supporting cancer research. In 2013, he and his wife pledged $500 million to the Knight Cancer Institute, contingent upon the university matching the funds within two years. The matching goal was achieved through $200 million in state bonds, $100 million from Columbia Sportswear chair Gert Boyle, and contributions from approximately 10,000 individual donors.

This latest $2 billion pledge represents a significant escalation in support, allowing the institute to expand its research programs, clinical trials, and patient-centered initiatives.

Advancing Cancer Research Amid Funding Challenges

The Knights’ donation arrives at a time when universities nationwide face uncertainties in federal research funding. Recent proposals under the Trump administration aimed to reduce or freeze research grants, creating challenges for institutions conducting critical scientific studies. Contributions like the Knights’ provide stability and resources to continue groundbreaking work in cancer research despite such federal uncertainties.

By significantly boosting the Knight Cancer Institute’s endowment, the gift will fund innovative research programs, cutting-edge technology, and advanced therapies, ensuring that OHSU remains at the forefront of cancer treatment and patient care.

National and Global Impact

The scope of this donation is expected to influence not only Oregon but the broader global research community. With the Knight Cancer Institute now positioned to operate with greater autonomy, the institute can prioritize high-impact research initiatives, partnerships with other academic institutions, and community-based cancer prevention programs.

Experts in oncology and medical philanthropy say contributions of this scale are rare and transformative, enabling institutions to accelerate innovation while providing direct benefits to patients. The Knights’ gift is anticipated to attract additional funding, partnerships, and talent to the institute, further amplifying its impact.

Future of the Knight Cancer Institute

As a result of this pledge, the Knight Cancer Institute is expected to enhance its strategic goals, including expanding clinical trials, investing in precision medicine, and developing innovative patient care programs. This will allow researchers and medical professionals to explore new therapies, improve survival rates, and provide holistic support for cancer patients and their families.

With philanthropic support at this scale, OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute could serve as a model for other institutions nationwide, demonstrating how targeted donations can transform research capabilities and patient care infrastructure.

Source: AP News – Nike co-founder Phil Knight and wife pledge record $2B to Oregon cancer center, university says

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The NHS app is about to become the go-to way for millions more patients in England to receive important health information — from test results and screening invitations to appointment reminders. The government says this shift will save the NHS £200 million over the next three years, all while making healthcare communication faster and more convenient.

From Letters to Smartphones: A Digital Revolution in Healthcare

Currently, the NHS sends out at least 50 million letters to patients every year. But with a £50 million investment, the focus is shifting towards sending millions more messages directly to smartphones via the NHS app. This means fewer letters cluttering up mailboxes and quicker access to vital information at your fingertips.

This year alone, the Department of Health and Social Care expects around 270 million messages to be sent through the app — a jump of 70 million compared to last year.

Smarter Notifications to Cut Missed Appointments

One of the key benefits? Push notifications will remind patients about upcoming appointments. With approximately eight million elective care appointments missed in 2023/24, these reminders could help reduce no-shows and keep clinics running smoothly.

The app is also being enhanced to allow users to add appointments directly to their phone calendars and even request help from their local GP surgeries — making healthcare management easier than ever.

Making Healthcare More Accessible — But Not Leaving Anyone Behind

More than 11 million people in the UK log into the NHS app every month, and nearly 20 million are signed up to receive messages through it. NHS services via the app are now available in 87% of hospitals across England.

But the government is mindful that not everyone can or wants to use digital tools. For those who can’t access app messages — like many elderly patients — the NHS will still send text messages and, if needed, follow up with letters. This approach also aims to free up NHS phone lines, helping staff focus on patients who need more direct support.

A Step Toward a More Modern, Convenient NHS

Health Secretary Wes Streeting describes this investment as a way to bring the NHS into the digital age — making the patient experience as seamless as online banking or ordering food delivery.

“The move away from paper communication will also free up funds for frontline services,” Streeting adds.

Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patient’s Association, welcomed the upgrade, calling it a “significant step in modernising how patients receive information.”

Concerns About Digital Exclusion

However, not everyone is fully on board. The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that relying too heavily on apps could risk leaving behind patients who don’t have access to or struggle with digital technology.

The government’s plan follows earlier announcements this year to expand the app’s features — including letting more patients book treatments and appointments directly through it.

What’s Next? Prescription Tracking and More

Last month, NHS England revealed that millions of patients would soon get “Amazon-style” tracking updates for their prescriptions via the app — so they can see if their medicines are ready to collect or have been sent out for delivery. This small but powerful feature aims to reduce waiting times and improve communication.

In short, the NHS app is evolving rapidly, aiming to give patients more control over their healthcare journeys while saving time and money for the system. But as the NHS embraces digital tools, it’s crucial to ensure no patient is left behind.

Source: BBC – Millions more to get test results via NHS app, government says

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A promising new drug, tavapadon, has shown significant potential in treating Parkinson’s disease, offering relief from motor symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and coordination issues—without the common side effects associated with current treatments.

In clinical trials, tavapadon—a once-daily pill—has proven to be effective for patients already taking at least 400 mg of levodopa a day. It specifically benefits those experiencing “motor fluctuations,” a situation where levodopa’s effects wear off, causing symptoms to resurface. Researchers found that tavapadon provided more sustained “on time” (periods when symptoms are controlled) while reducing “off time” (when symptoms return), without the typical negative side effects that often accompany levodopa.

Levodopa has long been the standard treatment for Parkinson’s, but it can come with a range of side effects such as sleep disorders, hallucinations, and impulse control issues. Tavapadon works by mimicking dopamine in the brain and targeting different dopamine receptors (D1/D5), which offers the same symptom relief as levodopa but with fewer adverse effects.

Dr. Hubert H. Fernandez, the lead study author from the Cleveland Clinic, expressed optimism about tavapadon’s potential: “It provides patients with another option to alleviate motor fluctuations in the moderate to advanced stages of Parkinson’s. This is a promising step forward for both patients and doctors.”

The clinical trial, called TEMPO 3, was a multi-center, pivotal study that measured various side effects such as excessive daytime sleepiness, weight gain, and blood pressure changes. Remarkably, the side effects from tavapadon were no worse than those experienced by patients receiving a placebo.

Dr. Fernandez cautioned that while the results are promising, this study was short-term, and further long-term research is needed to fully confirm the drug’s benefits. Nonetheless, he remains hopeful, saying, “We’re very encouraged by these preliminary findings. Whether used at the beginning of treatment or alongside levodopa for more advanced cases, tavapadon represents a significant gain for Parkinson’s patients.”

For recently diagnosed patients with less severe symptoms, tavapadon may replace levodopa altogether, potentially reducing the need for frequent doses of the standard drug. This could minimize the risk of motor fluctuations and dyskinesia (involuntary movements), which are common side effects of levodopa use over time.

For more advanced Parkinson’s cases, tavapadon can be used in combination with levodopa, providing more consistent symptom relief without the typical side effects.

Parkinson’s disease is expected to become a global health crisis, with cases projected to increase to 25 million worldwide by 2050. The biggest surge is expected among people aged 80 and older, with the number of cases in that age group predicted to rise by 196%. This highlights the urgent need for improved treatments like tavapadon.

AbbVie, the pharmaceutical company behind tavapadon, is preparing to file for approval with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Once submitted, the FDA will review the application, which could lead to the drug being approved for widespread use. If approved, tavapadon could offer a new, more effective treatment option for people living with Parkinson’s disease, improving their quality of life and providing a much-needed alternative to existing therapies.

Dr. Mary Ann Picone, a medical director at Holy Name Medical Center, praised the trial results, calling the drug “very interesting and encouraging” for Parkinson’s patients. She highlighted that one of the major challenges of current Parkinson’s treatments is the wearing-off phenomenon, where the drug’s effects diminish over time, leading to “freezing” episodes and increased stiffness.

Tavapadon’s ability to target different dopamine receptors could extend the beneficial effects of treatment, offering patients more “on time” without the involuntary movements that often interfere with their ability to function. As Dr. Picone noted, this new therapy could be a game-changer in improving quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s.

As the long-term clinical trials continue, there’s growing hope that tavapadon will become a vital part of Parkinson’s treatment. With its potential to reduce motor symptoms and side effects, this new drug could offer a better, more sustainable treatment option for patients at every stage of the disease.

Stay tuned for further updates as the FDA review process moves forward, with the possibility of a new chapter in Parkinson’s disease treatment just around the corner.

Source: FOX News – New drug for Parkinson’s shown to be effective in clinical trials: ‘Very encouraged’

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Millions of teenagers in Africa are suffering from asthma with no formal diagnosis as the continent undergoes rapid urbanisation, researchers have found.

The study, published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, involved 27,000 pupils from urban areas in Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria. It found more than 3,000 reported asthma symptoms, but only about 600 had a formal diagnosis.

Many of the children reported missing school or having their sleep disrupted by wheezing.

“If our data are generalisable, there are millions of adolescents with undiagnosed asthma symptoms in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Dr Gioia Mosler of Queen Mary University of London, the study’s research manager.

The team that led the study, whose research on the impact of pollution on lung health was instrumental in introducing the ultra low-emission zone (Ulez) in London, said there was an urgent need for medicines and diagnostic tests in the region.

Rates of asthma have increased in sub-Saharan Africa over the past few decades, a trend attributed to rapid urbanisation which exposes children to more risk factors such as air pollution. The climate crisis was also likely to have an impact, experts said.

The Achieving Control of Asthma in Children and Adolescents in Africa (Acacia) study recruited pupils aged between 12 and 14. Screening revealed that while 12% reported asthma symptoms, only 20% of that group had received a formal diagnosis of asthma.

Lung function tests suggested nearly half of undiagnosed participants with severe symptoms were “very likely” to have asthma.

Even among those who had received a formal diagnosis, about a third were not using any medicine to control their condition, according to the study.

Dr Rebecca Nantanda of Makerere University in Kampala, who led the research in Uganda, said: “Undiagnosed and poorly controlled asthma greatly impacts on the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of the affected children and their caregivers. The high burden of severe undiagnosed asthma revealed by the Acacia study requires urgent attention, including access to medicines and diagnostics.”

Prof Jonathan Grigg of Queen Mary University of London, said asthma was made worse by exposure to small particles of pollutants, with the impact of the climate crisis yet to become clear. “In some areas in sub-Saharan Africa, climate change is likely to result in increased exposure of these vulnerable children to dust and natural fires.

“On the other hand, climate change mitigation will, hopefully, reduce exposure to fossil fuel-derived particles in this region.

“The pharmaceutical industry has been hesitant to support asthma research and initiatives. For example, companies may feel that they cannot support research in countries where they do not intend to market their asthma product,” he said.

“Innovations such as handheld wheeze detectors and asthma clinics delivered at schools also have the potential to substantially reduce the burden of asthma.”

Source

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