Jim and Cibyl Ronen

Changing Lives by: contributing to basic cancer research at K-State through a generous deferred gift. The gift established a permanent fund supporting research at K-State's Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research and an endowment for general scholarships at K-State.

K-State Connection: After marrying in 1962, Jim Ronen, a graduate of Emporia State Teachers College, and Cibyl (Teichman) Ronen, a 1960 K-State human ecology graduate, made their home in St. John, Kan., where they still reside.

Why they gave: Cibyl was diagnosed with endometrial cancer settling in her lungs in 2001 and Jim with kidney cancer in 2002. While Jim was recovering from cancer surgery, a close friend made a gift to the Center for Basic Cancer Research in Jim’s honor. It was this introduction to K-State’s cancer research that prompted Jim and Cibyl to contribute to the center themselves.

“We were very fortunate to recover from cancer,” Cibyl said. “We wanted to contribute to something so others can benefit. Fighting cancer is very close to our hearts. The students and researchers at K-State are so brilliant. They will go on to discover something that will bring us closer to a cure.”

Impact: The Ronen’s gift to K-State will directly support the cancer center’s mission of research, education and outreach. The Ronens established their gift using a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT). A CRUT is an irrevocable charitable trust that provides lifetime income, avoids capital gains taxes, provides a charitable deduction and can reduce estate taxes.

What people are saying: “Jim and Cibyl’s generosity and personal commitment to the center are truly exemplary,” said Rob Denell, director for the Johnson Cancer Center. “Their help is important to our goal to conquer cancer.”