Godolphin/Darley article

[my miss storm cat]

http://www.courier-journal.com/artic...WS01/902010493


Dubai's ruler gives $2 million to UK cancer unit via Lexington firm

Gift to UK center from Dubai's ruler
By Laura Ungar


The ruler of Dubai has donated $2 million to the Markey Cancer Foundation for a blood and bone marrow transplant unit at the University of Kentucky's cancer center.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, gave the gift through Darley Stud Management LLC, the Lexington-based American branch of Darley, his global thoroughbred-breeding company.

"Sheikh Mohammed has been interested in the Lexington community as more than just a home to breed and raise horses," said James Bell, president of Darley USA. "To be involved in something that touches so many people -- as cancer does -- is something that he has been interested in. It branches further than just the equine industry."

The money will be used for building materials, furniture and medical equipment such as monitors for the 15-bed blood and bone marrow transplant unit. In recognition of the gift, it will be named the Darley Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and will keep this name when it moves to the new UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital, scheduled to open in phases beginning in 2010.

Since it was founded in 1982, more than 1,100 patients have received transplants through the bone marrow program, which has experts in transplants using stem cells from the patients and those using stem cells from a donor.

"This is a pretty wonderful gift. We're thrilled," said Dr. Randall Rowland, president and CEO of the foundation, the fundraising arm for UK's Markey Cancer Center. "It's certainly a significant gift. It's not our largest gift ever, but it's the largest gift we've had in the last year."

Dr. Michael Karpf, executive vice president for health affairs at UK, said it "shows a commitment and engagement with the Lexington community for the sheikh, and that's very important.…You need to have community support to make institutions great."