Monday, Dec. 21, 2009

A Texas couple is donating $10 million to the University of Kansas Hospital to support the University of Kansas Cancer Center.

The gift from Joe and Jean Brandmeyer, of El Paso, will create an endowed chair in radiation oncology. The funds will also support efforts to help the center achieve National Cancer Institute designation. The designation would allow the center to attract more federal grants, clinical trials and research programs.

The Brandmeyers founded and sold a Johnson County-based company, Enturia Incorporated, that makes disposable antiseptic applicators for hospitals. Two years ago they established a resource center for patients at the hospital's Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion in Westwood, not far from the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas