Punya Fund
The Punya Thyroid Cancer Research Fund
The Punya Thyroid Cancer Endowment Fund and the Nancy Wigginton Professorships in Thyroid Cancer have been established to help support research for an understudied cancer: thyroid cancer. The goal is to improve the quality of care for patients with thyroid cancer and to substantially lengthen the time and quality of life for patients with advanced thyroid cancer.
Mr. Jim Wigginton created The Punya Thyroid Cancer Endowment Fund and the Nancy Wigginton Professorships in Thyroid Cancer in honor of his late wife, Nancy “Punya” Wigginton, who was cared for by Drs. Worden and Haymart. His gift recognizes their advances in thyroid cancer research and their outstanding patient care.
Mr. Wigginton is a native of Crittenden County, Kentucky and a current resident of Belleville, Michigan. He is also currently a Managing Partner in True North Equity, LLC., a highly successful private equity firm in Birmingham, Michigan. He and his wife have three children and nine grandchildren.
Reception for the Naming of the Nancy Wigginton waiting area in the Cancer Center on Floor B1
Pictured above is Mr. Jim Wigginton with his children.
Pictured above is Mr. Jim Wigginton with his extended family.
Pictured above: left picture is Dr. Worden, Middle picture is Mr. Wigginton with Drs. Worden, Haymart, right picture is Mr. Wigginton.
A waiting area on floor B1 in the University of Michigan Cancer Center is now named after Nancy Wigginton, a world traveler, master gardener, and beloved mother, grandmother and wife.
Mr. Jim Wigginton is dedicated to raising funds in her name to support thyroid cancer at the University of Michigan. His vision is to establish Michigan as the leading facility in the world for thyroid cancer treatment and research, and to significantly improve life expectancy and quality of life for thyroid cancer patients everywhere. And, by making that impact in Nancy’s name, which is now displayed in the Cancer Center, he hopes others will know her generous spirit and compassionate life. “She wouldn’t have been the kind of person who would choose to put her name on something,” Mr. Wigginton says. “But I think she deserves it because she was a giving, caring and compassionate person, and she always put everyone else first — even after she got sick. This is a way to make a difference in her name so people will never forget.”
If you would like to make a donation or obtain more information, please contact Tracy Muscat, or donate directly here: http://giving.umich.edu/give/cancer-punya
Office of Medical Development
Attention: Tracy Muscat
1000 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-764-3842
For more details on ongoing fundraising efforts please click here: Fundraising