Huntsman Challenge

Jon Huntsman made it his life mission to eradicate cancer from the face of the earth

The Generation to end Cancer

From groundbreaking genetic research to a first-of-its-kind treatment to combat Ewing sarcoma, the second-most common bone cancer in children, the world-class research work at Salt Lake City’s Huntsman Cancer Institute is helping lead the fight against cancer.

Named in honor of renowned philanthropist, the late Order of Constantine and Significant Sig Jon Huntsman Sr., PENNSYLVANIA 1959, and his family, the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah has furthered Huntsman’s life goal of combatting and eradicating all forms of cancer.

The loss of his mother to breast cancer was something that motivated Jon Huntsman Sr. throughout his life. The commitment of more than $300 million from Huntsman and his family toward HCI has helped provide Utah and the western states with one of the best cancer hospitals in the world, and one of the most comprehensive cancer research centers, since HCI’s creation in 1995.

Knowing that 1 in every 2 men and 1 in every 3 women will get cancer during their lifetimes and the importance of the research being done at HCI, Sigma Chi officially announced during its 150th anniversary celebration in 2005 that it was partnering with Huntsman to make the Huntsman Cancer Foundation the preferred charity of the Fraternity.

In 2012, Huntsman Cancer Foundation was designated as the Fraternity’s sole preferred philanthropic partner, and, in 2015, Sigma Chi made history with the largest-ever philanthropic commitment from a Greek-letter men’s organization with an $11 million pledge — over $10 million of which has been raised in less than five years.

During the 2018 to 2019 Huntsman Challenge fundraising cycle, Sigma Chi chapters collectively raised more than $2.35 million for HCI. And, for the first time in the campaign’s history, three chapters surpassed the $100,000 milestone.

This commitment was furthered during Sigma Chi’s 82nd Grand Chapter in Salt Lake City as the Fraternity surpassed its prior historic commitment with an additional $20 million pledged towards HCI’s Women’s Health Center and Research Wing through 2030.