Tucson Standard

Philanthropist Ginny L. Clements and her husband, Tom Rogers, have each pledged $1 million to the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. The funds are intended to support the establishment of a new cardiovascular research institute.

The Sarver Heart Center aims to raise $75 million for this initiative, contingent on approval by the Arizona Board of Regents. A separate donor has offered a challenge gift that will contribute $25 million if the college raises $50 million within five years. The recent donations from Clements and Rogers will aid in meeting the first-year fundraising requirement for this challenge.

Founded in 1986 as the University Heart Center, the Sarver Heart Center focuses on preventing and curing cardiovascular diseases through academic and clinical advancements. Currently, over 160 researchers and physician-scientists collaborate towards eradicating heart disease, vascular disease, and stroke.

"My dad, uncle and aunt all died of heart disease," Clements stated. "I am extremely blessed that I am able to be a part of their journey."

Clements' history with U of A research includes an $8.5 million donation in 2020 to establish the Ginny L. Clements Breast Cancer Research Institute.

The proposed cardiovascular research institute plans to work with Banner – University Medical Center Tucson to explore heart health maintenance and treatment methods.

"Ginny and I both feel very blessed," Rogers said. "We feel the research at this institute will have the capability of saving thousands of lives."

"There are currently no comprehensive institutionally designated cardiovascular research institutes in the Southwest," noted Michael M.I. Abecassis, MD, MBA.

The funds will also help recruit top talent in heart regeneration, failure management, transplantation, and atherosclerosis prevention with a focus on vascular biology.

"We are incredibly thankful for these gifts," said Hesham Sadek, MD, PhD.

Michael D. Dake, MD expressed gratitude for their contributions: "Thanks to the generosity of Ginny and Tom."

According to CDC data from 2022, over 700,000 people in the U.S. died from heart disease that year alone.

"I'm so grateful for the longtime support of Ginny and Tom," said John-Paul Roczniak.

These commitments form part of UArizona's Fuel Wonder campaign aimed at raising $3 billion for various initiatives including cancer research and space sciences.