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The first M Series event raised $72,700 for the Masonic Cancer Center
Minnesota Masonic Charities hosted its first M Series fundraiser, benefitting the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota (MCC) on June 18, 2026, with the proceeds directly supporting cancer research and patient treatment.
Cancer isn’t a light topic, but the event was buzzing with attendees enjoying refreshments, swapping stories, and sharing a laugh. The room was filled with hope as attendees heard about the latest clinical trials at the Masonic Cancer Center and listened to the words of a young cancer survivor.
What a night it was! The M Series event raised $36,350, which Minnesota Masonic Charities matched, bringing the total raised to $72,700!
Supporting Cancer Research at U of MN since 1958
This generosity is nothing new for Minnesota Masons.
Their partnership with the University of Minnesota began many decades ago. In 2008, they donated $65 million to support the university’s cancer research initiatives and have since donated over $160 million to MCC and M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital.
Behind these numbers are real people, like cancer survivor Drew Evenson, who shared his personal story at the event.
Cancer Research Happening Now
So where does that investment actually go? At the M Series event, David Largaespada, PhD, offered a glimpse into what he called “the golden age of new therapies” and the research happening right now at the Masonic Cancer Center.
One team, led by Masato Yamamoto, PhD is exploring whether viruses could actually help destroy cancer. The idea is that scientists may be able to engineer a virus that kills cancer cells, while simultaneously alerting the immune system to the presence of the tumor.
Another project is focused on “natural killer” cells, a type of immune cell our bodies already produce. Researchers led by Jeffrey Miller, PhD are finding ways to boost these cells and direct them towards brain tumors.
Additional research is focused on using gene-editing technology to isolate and strengthen the T-cells already present inside a tumor, essentially training the body’s own defenders to fight harder.
What Donations to the Masonic Cancer Center Support
The results are already so real. Dr. Largaespada shared imaging from one patient that showed a tumor visible before treatment, shrinking during, and completely gone after. That patient is now more than three and a half years cancer-free!
“What a precious gift science has given [us]; when you support cancer research, you’re doing just that,” Zohar Sachs, PhD, said on a recent episode of the Masonic Histories and Mysteries podcast.
Through MCC’s Cancer Research Translational Initiative, $2 million in Mason investments over the past 5 years has generated $29 million (14.5x return) in additional cancer research funding.
In addition, when Minnesota Masonic Charities invested $1 million to launch the “10,000 Families Study,” it resulted in an exponential $14.4 million in research award funding, with nearly 3,000 participants from 1,000 families enrolled as of today.
“If you think research is expensive, try disease,” visionary biomedical research champion Mary Lasker said.
A Lasting Impact
To donors and attendees: thank you for supporting our Cancer Research Translational Initiative to help advance cancer research and treatment. Thanks to you, we’ve enrolled more than 100,000 patients in clinical trials focused on causes, prevention, detection, and treatment since 2008.
The M Series was the first of what will be a series of fundraising events to benefit MMC. However, the research it supports goes on every day. If you’d like to be a part of it, you can donate directly here.
