Page 18 - LRCC May 2022 Focus

#LOVELANSING FOCUS MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

Sparrow Receives Largest

Donation in Its History to
Expand Precision Medicine

Program

ames and Judith Herbert of Lansing have made a
$5 million donation, the largest in Sparrow’s history,
Jto establish an endowment to advance genomics
and precision medicine at the Sparrow Herbert-Herman
Cancer Center.

The donation to the Sparrow Foundation is earmarked the endowment. They say they are indebted to Sparrow
to create the Genomics Endowment for Diagnosis and for their care over the years and for keeping leading-edge
Treatment of Cancer and provides for a new Director of medicine and highly skilled physicians close to home so
Cancer Genomics at Sparrow to oversee and grow the mid-Michigan residents don’t have to travel out of town for
program. Growth of the genomics program at the Sparrow exceptional treatment.
Herbert-Herman Cancer Center will profoundly impact
people from across mid-Michigan for decades to come. The Sparrow Foundation fosters and creates strong
community partnerships that help Sparrow uphold that
The Herberts are cancer survivors themselves and were commitment. The foundation has begun a comprehensive
among the lead donors to Sparrow’s campaign to build a campaign, “For every story, there’s Sparrow,” to support the
new cancer center in 2014. The Herbert-Herman Cancer $800 million capital improvement plan announced last year,
Center opened in 2017. with projects spanning the region. l

“Cancer genomics is the future,” said James Herman,
M.D., longtime Sparrow oncologist and cancer center
leader. “Genomics play an increasing role in diagnosis
and treatment. This incredible gift to the Herbert-Herman
Cancer Center by the Herbert family will ensure that
patients continue to have the best cancer care close
to home and receive leading-edge care equivalent to
anywhere in the nation.”

The Herberts made the first of 101 individual gifts to Sparrow
in 1995. Their commitment to cancer care began in 2008-
2009 with creating an outdoor terrace for cancer patients
and their families.

James Herbert is the founder of NEOGEN and has been
a national leader in food and animal safety research. He
and his wife have long promoted the value of genomics
and precision medicine, which involves using a patient’s
genomic information to personalize care. In cancer patients,
it means analyzing the specific makeup to guide care,
rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Sparrow is mid-Michigan’s leader in precision medicine and
was recently selected to participate in a landmark clinical
trial using precision medicine techniques on breast cancer
patients. The clinical trial also includes such institutions as
the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic.

The Herberts want others to share in their dedication and
lend their support to exceptional local cancer care through

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