Jim and Heather Murren, Co-Founders, Nevada Cancer Institute
Jim and Heather Murren, make up a team that worked hard and built two incredible careers at early ages prior to finding their true calling. After nine years on Wall Street, Heather became group head for global consumer product research at Merrill Lynch. Jim’s 14-year Wall Street tenure saw him rise to managing director, heading Deutsche Bank’s research effort and tracking the growing casino and entertainment industry. High finance, a zest for New York City, the good life in Connecticut, they had it all. And it got even better.
Jim was selected as new CFO of MGM Grand Inc., then president and CFO of MGM MIRAGE, currently employing over 72,000 people. Moving to Las Vegas, the Murrens became solid members of the community, but something was missing.
A spreading melanoma claimed the life of Jim’s father the year Jim and Heather were married. Heather’s grandfather died of brain cancer while she was in college, and her grandmother had breast cancer.
"Cancer played a major part in our young lives," recalls Heather. After the 9/11 tragedy, the Murrens were inspired to pursue a more meaningful lifestyle. Jim and Heather contributed initial capital to help launch the state-of-the-art Nevada Cancer Institute.
"The outpouring of support we’ve received, from time and talent to in-kind contributions and financial donations, is both crucial and heart-ening," beams Heather Murren, president and CEO of NVCI. "I con-tinue to be humbled and impressed by the generosity of Nevadans."
"The Howard Hughes/The Rouse Company (now General Growth) donated five acres of land. Marnell Corrao Associates donated the design and contracting for our facility. Visionary Founders, The Greenspun Family Foundation, awarded NVCI a challenge grant for $25 million. Community leaders Ann and Chuck Mathewson contributed more than $5 million. In total more than $60 million in private funds has been raised."
"The mission of the Nevada Cancer Institute is to fight cancer through research, education, and research-based patient care," says Jim Murren.
"Our short-term goal was to establish a world-class comprehensive cancer care facility in the Las Vegas Valley dedicated to researching and imple-menting groundbreaking methods of prevention, detection and treatment of cancer by incorporating basic researchers and clinicians. The long-term objective is to reduce the inci-dence, mortality and morbidity of cancer in the state of Nevada and beyond."
"Our researchers combined with our research and care facility are always providing a state-of-the-art cancer research treatment and support ed-ucation center. It was designed and constructed with the focus on the patient and family members, as well as researchers," says Heather Murren. "One of the most unique aspects of our facility is that it is designed to offer patients the latest in cancer research in a comfortable, aesthet-ically-pleasing, spa-like setting."
Today, the new 142,000-square-foot, four-story Nevada Cancer Institute center, dedicated to research and patient care, is a reality. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, have donated their time, talents and resources to help turn this ambitious dream into an innovative reality for all the citizens of Nevada.
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Jim and Heather Murren, make up a team that worked hard and built two incredible careers at early ages prior to finding their true calling. After nine years on Wall Street, Heather became group head for global consumer product research at Merrill Lynch. Jim’s 14-year Wall Street tenure saw him rise to managing director, heading Deutsche Bank’s research effort and tracking the growing casino and entertainment industry. High finance, a zest for New York City, the good life in Connecticut, they had it all. And it got even better.
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