An anonymous donor has given Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center $20 million toward cancer research. It's the largest gift ever received by the medical center. The money is intended to study the effects of muscadine grape extract on prostate and breast cancers.
The Triad Business Journal reports the extract was developed by Nature's Pearl Corp., based in Advance. The muscadine grape is native to the Southeast. It contains high levels of an antioxidant known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, sometimes by 40 to 50 percent.
The gift is for five years and will fund three clinical trials.
Dr. John D. McConnell is chief executive officer of Wake Forest Baptist. He says the donation is an example of how philanthropy can make a difference for an academic medical center.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad