Oxford and Ohio university hospitals receive millions

A $12.5m (£9.24m) donation from philanthropists Dee and Jimmy Haslam will support research into chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) through the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre and the University Hospitals (UH) Seidman Cancer Center in Ohio.

The Oxford centre is a partnership between the University of Oxford and the Harrington Discovery Institute.

Susan ‘Dee’ Haslam is an American businesswoman and media executive, serving as founder and executive producer of RIVR Media and chief executive of the Haslam Sports Group.

She is also co-owner of the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns alongside her husband, Jimmy Haslam.

Ms Haslam, who was diagnosed with CLL in 2021, said: “I am extremely grateful that I am living a full, healthy life after being diagnosed with CLL in 2021.

“This gift to University Hospitals is an investment into research and drug development.

“We are humbled to help push progress forward and have such an outstanding medical institution like University Hospitals in Northeast Ohio.”

CLL is the most common form of leukaemia in adults and is currently incurable, though targeted therapies have made it a manageable condition.

Dr Jonathan Stamler, president and co-founder of the Harrington Discovery Institute, said: “We are very grateful to Dee and Jimmy for this extraordinary investment and for the confidence it represents in our mission.

“Their generosity creates a remarkable opportunity to advance a next generation of medicines for blood cancers.”

Former UK prime minister David Cameron, now chair of the advisory council of the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre, welcomed the investment.

Mr Cameron said: “I am delighted to see this generous support, which can help unlock meaningful advances in areas long overlooked and urgently in need of attention.”