The Punya Thyroid Cancer Research Foundation
Mr. Jim Wigginton has pledged to give a $6 million endowment to support the Punya Thyroid Cancer Endowed Fund and establish the Nancy Wigginton Professorships of Thyroid Cancer.
Mr. Wigginton had previously established the Punya Thyroid Cancer Endowed Fund for the benefit of thyroid cancer clinical research at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center in August 2013 with a gift of $1 million. Since then, he has chosen to donate another $5 million to establish two endowed professorships in memory of Nancy Wigginton. The combined $6 million is the largest gift to thyroid cancer research at the University of Michigan.
Mr. Wigginton is making the gift in honor of his late wife, Nancy “Punya” Wigginton, who was cared for by Drs. Worden and Haymart, M.D. This gift recognizes their advances in thyroid cancer research and their outstanding patient care.
Wigginton’s desire is for the Punya Fund to be the most influential thyroid cancer fund in the world, andthrough this fund to substantially lengthen the time and quality of life for patients with advanced thyroid cancer. He hopes to raise a total of $10 million with additional gifts and fundraising events.
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.
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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 Maher Salah, or donate directly here: http://giving.umich.edu/give/cancer-punya
Office of Medical Development
Attention: Maher Salah
1000 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-647-4178
For more details on ongoing fundraising efforts please click here: Fundraising