Paula and Jim Moore have two things that run in their families: a propensity for philanthropy and cancer.

Paula’s mother died from lymphoma 10 years after being diagnosed at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Her brother has a very rare blood cancer and was originally under the care of Bill Robinson, MD, a UCCC medical oncologist. Her nephew is in remission from leukemia. Four of Jim’s family members have cancer.

“We give because we hope some sort of research breakthrough will come of the gift,” Paula said. “The new Anschutz Medical Campus has so much synergy. Everyone is so enthused about working there and about being part of it and growing with it. We feel really good about the direction of our giving.”

~ Paula Moore

The couple, who have been giving to the University of Colorado for more than two decades, have been annual donors to UCCC since 1992. The CU-Boulder alumni have supported the Mike Mascenik Memorial Fund, which supports amyloidosis research by Dr. Choon-Kee Lee, the Hurtt Cancer Garden, a memorial garden at the clinical cancer center at University of Colorado Hospital and blood cancer research. They have also made general donations and made a bequest to UCCC in their will.

“What we do on an annual basis is just a snapshot of what we’re doing with our planned giving,” Paula said. “We want to have a real impact on the organizations we believe in, someday.”

Paula and Jim both come from families that have emphasized helping the less fortunate and the value of giving back to the community. Paula’s parents started Kare Kits, a nonprofit that provides packages of blankets, gloves, socks, hats and other warm items to Denver homeless shelters.

“Both of my parents were very selfless people,” she said. “They never put themselves first. And that’s how they lived their life. When you have an example like that set for you, it becomes part of your life, too.”

She said that when she and her husband first started giving to UCCC, she let the University of Colorado Foundation be their guide  about the center’s greatest needs and where they could make the biggest impact. With the prevalence of blood cancers in her family,  the CU Foundation encouraged her to meet with Dr. Lee, a specialist in multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. Dr. Lee gave her a comprehensive tour of the Cancer Center’s clinical facilities and his research laboratory.

“My whole perspective changed when I met with Dr. Lee last October,” she said. “I had never been involved with a doctor and the associated research. Dr. Lee had been the recipient of our last three gifts. He was so gracious and appreciative that last year’s gift also went to his research. I was just overwhelmed by the physical facility. It was very moving. I didn’t stop thinking about it for days. I walked away with a very clear picture of what they do, and what impact philanthropy can make on that work.”