$30 million donation to establish cancer center by Beth White and family follows their $150 million gift in 2024 to the Big Shoulders Fund for Catholic education

In a landmark act of generosity with far-reaching implications for Northwest Indiana, the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation has donated $30 million to launch the Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center at Franciscan Health Crown Point.

This transformative gift stands as the largest ever received by the Franciscan Health Foundation, setting in motion the construction of a cutting-edge, 71,000-square-foot facility that promises to revolutionize cancer care in the region.

The late Dean White, whose legacy is revered in Indiana’s business and philanthropic communities, built Whiteco Advertising into a national powerhouse and devoted his resources to reshaping his hometown of Crown Point.

The Foundation, now led by Dean’s family, embodies his vision of transforming communities through strategic and impactful giving.

Dean’s philosophy—that prosperity has meaning only when shared—continues to shape the Foundation’s direction.

Beth White, a trustee of the Foundation and widow of the late Bruce White, plays a pivotal role in extending this legacy.

Frequently serving as the Foundation’s public face, she has championed initiatives ranging from historic education investments to meaningful community health projects. In recent comments, Beth stressed that the Cancer Center gift is not just a donation but an investment in the long-term well-being of the “Region’s families and future generations.”

Craig White, board president and one of Dean and Barbara’s sons, noted that the fight against cancer is deeply personal for the family.

Their commitment stems from firsthand experience and a desire to spare others the ordeal of traveling far for advanced treatment.

The Cancer Center, slated to open in early 2027 at the intersection of I-65 and U.S. 231, will consolidate surgical, diagnostic, and treatment services under one roof, enabling thousands of patients to receive top-tier cancer care close to home.

This philanthropic momentum follows the Foundation’s headline-grabbing$150 million gift in 2024 to the Big Shoulders Fund for Catholic education, underscoring the depth and breadth of its commitment to the progress of Northwest Indiana.

Beth White, in her role as a Foundation leader, continues to advocate for projects that “fulfill dreams and deliver measurable results,” reflecting a broader philosophy that sees every gift as an opportunity to catalyze collective, long-lasting change.

The Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center now stands as the latest—and perhaps the most personal—chapter in a decades-long tradition of generosity from a family whose roots, resources, and resolve remain firmly committed to making a difference in their hometown and beyond.