Hope Begins HERE

There are few things scarier than hearing you or someone you love has cancer.

The disease has cast a shadow over just about each and every one of us, claiming millions of lives each year. It’s one of the leading causes of death in the world and No. 1 in our beloved Borderplex.

And yet, through the darkness of this relentless disease, a beacon of hope shines: our endless pursuit of knowledge and innovation to one day defeat it.

Cancer prevention, treatment and research have long been an emphasis of Texas Tech Health El Paso. And thanks to the future Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center, made possible through state funding and a transformational investment from the Fox family, we’ll lead the fight to understand, manage and cure cancer.

In that sense, this magazine issue may be the most personal one we’ve published. As you embark on a journey through these pages, you’ll find hope in just about every corner.

You’ll learn more about those who’ve made it their mission to discover the next remarkable advance in cancer research. They’ll tell you why they’ve dedicated their time and effort to create a future where cancer is a manageable condition.

You’ll travel through our Borderplex and beyond, where students, faculty and community health advocates are working to get ahead of the disease by creating access to screenings, prevention, and educational campaigns. They’ll introduce you to brave cancer warriors who’ve fought and won the battle, as well as those who continue fighting daily.

In these pages, you’ll also find inspiring recollections of how our Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso stared down another disease – COVID-19 – and transformed “ground zero” into a model for the country.

Most importantly, you’ll encounter stories of resilience. You’ll feel the unwavering human spirit that lies behind the complex science and how your generous support has made our mission possible.