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$25 million gift to clinic from Nick and Jenny Taubman
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$25 million gift to clinic from Nick and Jenny Taubman

Former U.S. Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman and his wife, Jenny, of Roanoke have given $25 million toward a new building and expanded cancer program at Carilion Clinic.

To honor the donors, the building will be named the Carilion Taubman Cancer Center.

“We are deeply grateful to the Taubmans for their extraordinary gift that will transform cancer care in our region for the growing number of patients who need it,” said Nancy Howell Agee, Carilion’s CEO. “A building bearing their name is a fitting tribute and reflects the Taubman’s deep commitment to southwest Virginia.”

Carilion’s current facility on South Jefferson Street was built in 1980 and is operating beyond capacity.

The new cancer center, now in the planning stages, will bring together personalized care, advanced technology and treatment options, sophisticated clinical trials and cutting-edge research in a single location.

The expanded facility is being designed to accommodate more patients as well as support the healing process, with natural light, outdoor spaces and expanded amenities.

The building will be located on the Riverside Campus in Roanoke that Carilion shares with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.

“Cancer care has advanced dramatically in recent years. We believe patients here deserve access to the latest therapies, delivered in a supportive, healing environment,” said Nicholas Taubman, a Roanoke native and former CEO and Chairman of Advance Auto Parts.

Nicholas Taubman’s father, Arthur, founded the auto parts chain here in 1932. The younger Taubman led the company from 1969 to 2000 then was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Romania by President George W. Bush from 2005 to 2008. Jenny Taubman was born in Bulgaria. She immigrated to Israel and later on served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years. She became a U.S. citizen in 1966.

“We deeply believe in the vision for a new cancer center and wanted to support Carilion so it will become a reality,” Jenny Taubman said. “Our hope is that our gift will inspire others to give to this project that will make a difference to many.”

Expanding its cancer program is a strategic priority for Carilion, which has been quietly raising funds toward the project. The health system is joining with philanthropic partners to make it a reality.

A $1 million seed gift in 2019 from Carilion CEO Nancy Howell Agee and her husband, The Honorable G. Steven Agee was the catalyst for the project.

With the Taubmans’ gift, the campaign has raised more than $70 million to date.

Included in the campaign total is more than $1 million from Carilion employees.

Like most health systems nationwide, Carilion operates as a not-for-profit entity. All operating income is reinvested in facility upgrades, new equipment and technology, and efforts to attract and retain the best talent.

The generous support of donors enhances care and accelerates Carilion’s ability to meet the region’s health needs, clinical trials and cutting-edge research,” Agee said.


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