Sigma Chi pledges $31M to Huntsman Center for Advanced Therapeutics and Innovation

The Utah-based Huntsman Cancer Foundation and the Sigma Chi International Fraternity have announced a $31 million pledge to create the Sigma Chi Center for Advanced Therapeutics and Innovation at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. 

Sigma Chi expects to meet its goal, the largest single pledge in the history of the men’s fraternity, within five to seven years, more than doubling the funds raised by the organization throughout its 12-year partnership with Huntsman Cancer Institute. After fulfilling an $11 million pledge in 2019, Sigma Chi then committed an additional $20 million to support women’s research, treatment and prevention. The organization said it will complete this donation early, making the final payment by this fall.

“Since 2013, Sigma Chi has embraced our brother Jon Huntsman’s vision of an end to cancer,” said Bob Wilson, 73rd grand consul of Sigma Chi International Fraternity, referencing Huntsman’s membership in the group. “Across North America, these men have worked tirelessly to raise money through grassroots events and their personal relationships, all in hopes of making the dream of becoming ‘the generation to end cancer’ a reality. Today, we are honored to further dedicate ourselves to such a worthy cause by more than doubling our financial commitment to establish the Sigma Chi Center for Advanced Therapeutics and Innovation.”

The late Jon M. Huntsman Sr., a Sigma Chi member honored as a “Significant Sig” for his achievements, and his wife Karen founded Huntsman Cancer Institute as part of their commitment to creating better outcomes for cancer patients and, ultimately, finding a cure. It is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing care to the largest geographic region of any institution. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman than at any other cancer center in the world, according to
the institute.

The Sigma Chi Center for Advanced Therapeutics and Innovation will fuel groundbreaking research, as well as propel new clinical trials that will lead to safer and more effective treatments, improved quality of life and potential cures for patients across North America and beyond, a joint statement said.

“Sigma Chi brings to bear the collective power of nearly 240 undergraduate chapters across North America all coming together to raise money for Huntsman Cancer Foundation,” said Michael Delzotti, president and chief operating officer of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. “This partnership is of paramount importance to cancer patients and their families who seek treatment not only at Huntsman, but also around the world, because it will drive critical breakthroughs in cancer research. Sigma Chi’s rallying cry, to be ‘the generation to end cancer,’ is a powerful force for good.”

Sigma Chi undergraduates across the U.S. and Canada have brought their campus communities together to raise funds for the research and innovation taking place at Huntsman Cancer Institute through fundraising events like Derby Days. Sigma Chi chapters raised a record-breaking $5 million in the 2024-25 school year.

“Huntsman Cancer Institute is united with Sigma Chi in our ambition to end cancer as we know it,” said Mary Beckerle, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute. “The Sigma Chi Center for Advanced Therapeutics and Innovation will allow us to advance the best science and new clinical trials that will materially change cancer outcomes for individuals across North America and beyond. We are so grateful to Sigma Chi for making this new commitment in our shared quest to eradicate cancer.”