What is the Will Rogers Institute?
The Will Rogers Institute is a national charitable organization dedicated to the support of lung research and developing new treatments and cures for pulmonary diseases and disorders.
How Did It All Begin?
The Will Rogers Institute takes its name from one of America's best-loved entertainers who was killed in a plane crash in 1935. In 1936, the Will Rogers Hospital was established to be the country's leading facility in treating tuberculosis and a national resource for public education.
Does the tuberculosis hospital still exist today?
The hospital was a leading treatment center for tuberculosis and instrumental in finding a cure. The doors of Will Rogers Hospital closed in 1975. In 1977 Will Rogers joined forces with Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, New York.
Where are the Will Rogers research hospitals located?
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital,
New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center, University of Southern California, and University of California, Los Angeles.
What are the research programs sponsored by the Will Rogers Institute?
Most of the Will Rogers Institute-sponsored is conducted at the four research hospitals. Current projects include gene therapy for cystic fibrosis and other diseases (Dr. Crystal at Cornell), treatment of lung infections by newly-discovered natural antibiotics known as defensins (Dr. Ganz at UCLA), new strategies for treatment of lung injury and pulmonary edema from air pollution and other lung insults (Dr. Crandall at USC) and pulmonary rehabilitation (Burke Rehabilitation Hospital).
The Institute also sponsor research fellowships in lung diseases at many major universities and medical centers throughout North America, thereby helping to train future leaders of lung research to serve our children and future generations.
Where is the Institute sponsoring research fellowships for 2006?
The Institute is sponsoring research fellowships at the following universities and medical centers. Please visit the Research & Fellowship section for more information.
- ALS Foundation
- American Association of Health Educators
- Emory University
- Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City
- Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale
- Los Angeles Youth Network
- Northwestern University
- New York University
- Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
- St. Francis Medical Center, Los Angeles
- St. Mary's Health Center, Knoxville
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, San Francisco
- University of Colorado
- University of Massachusetts
- University of Minnesota
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Southern California
- University of Texas
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
How do you raise funds for the Institute?
Each summer in movie theatres across the country Will Rogers Institute embarks upon a special fund raising event - Summer Theatrical PSA - a time-honored tradition that began back in 1936 and starred Jimmy Cagne, Humphrey Bogart, and Bette Davis. Throughout the decades a variety of celebrities, including Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Mel Gibson, Jason Alexander, Anthony Hopkins, Tommy Lee Jones, and most recently, The Rock have hosted the trailer.
Where is the money allocated?
The money collected funds the pulmonary research laboratories and fellowships and provides educational materials for thousands of teachers, librarians and individuals all over the world.
What information is available to the public?
The Institute provides free educational booklets on pulmonary diseases and disorders, stress, nutrition and fitness. Please click here to order free booklets.
Do you still have programs available for members of the entertainment industry?
Yes, the Will Rogers Memorial Fund assists members of the entertainment industry with medical rehabilitative needs (physical, occupational, COPD, and therapy programs).
Does the Will Rogers Institute financially support any political or environmental advocacy groups?
No, all funding is targeted towards medical research, educational materials and quality of life resources for individuals.
