UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

01/07/2026

🎉 We’re proud to share that CCRI is featured in the January 2026 AACI Update Newsletter, published by the Association of American Cancer Institutes!
The recognition highlights impactful research led by Dr. Keli Xu, showcasing the important cancer research happening at the Cancer Center and Research Institute at UMMC and its national reach.
Congratulations to Dr. Xu and the research team at CCRI — your dedication and innovation continue to elevate our mission and bring national attention to the life-saving work happening right here in Mississippi! https://www.aaci-cancer.org/aaci-update-january-2026

01/06/2026

Among UMMC’s top stories of 2025 is one highlighting the record-setting $25 million gift from John and Sandy Black to the Cancer Center and Research Institute. We’re grateful for their extraordinary generosity and its impact on patients and families across Mississippi. 💙

01/06/2026

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or deep into treatment, Survivor University is free and open to any adult Mississippian with a cancer diagnosis, and family members are welcome to join, too.

Participants get access to expert-led sessions on topics like nutrition, fatigue and sleep, physical activity, emotional well-being, side-effect management and resources for daily life.

Knowledge is power. Survivor University gives survivors and their loved ones practical information on improving health and quality of life during cancer treatment, and hope for the road ahead. 💙

Register online: https://bit.ly/4pqckIz

01/02/2026

A new year is a fresh start — and quitting smoking can be one of the most powerful resolutions you make for your health. Whether you’ve tried before or are just beginning to think about it, every attempt brings you closer to success.
You don’t have to quit alone. With the right support, resources, and encouragement, a smoke-free future is possible. This year, take a step toward better breathing, more energy, and reduced cancer risk.
If quitting smoking is on your list for the new year, help is available — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

https://act2quit.org/

01/01/2026

As 2026 begins, we’re celebrating an incredible year of growth and momentum at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute! From expanding research statewide to making important strides toward National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation, this year has been pivotal in advancing cancer care across Mississippi.
✨ We’ve seen a 600% increase in NCI-eligible research funding compared to FY 2023 — a testament to the dedication of our researchers and partners. Our efforts span experimental therapeutics, cancer control and population science, and cancer biology — all with a focus on improving outcomes and equity for communities across the state.
💡 Meanwhile, our capital campaign continues to gain traction, bringing us closer to a new, state-of-the-art Cancer Center and Research Institute that will offer cutting-edge care, support clinical trials, and expand access for patients right here at home.
We’re so grateful to our faculty, staff, donors, community partners, and supporters for helping make this progress possible. Stay tuned — the best is yet to come!

The path to National Cancer Institute designation for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute is long, but progress is being made.

01/01/2026

Wishing you all a happy, healthy 2026!

From our UMMC team to you, wishing you a happy, healthy New Year!

12/31/2025

Congratulations to CCRI’s Dr. Justin Turner, who was honored with the 2025 Distinguished Physician Award from the Mississippi Medical and Surgical Association. This recognition reflects a commitment to excellence, service to our communities and dedication to advancing medicine across Mississippi.

12/30/2025

Teacher. Patient. Believer.
Dr. Stanley Smith has spent decades educating future physicians at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Today, he’s sharing a different lesson—what it means to trust your care team as a cancer patient.
His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection, paying attention to changes in your health and having access to compassionate, expert care. For Dr. Smith, it also reinforced his belief in CCRI’s mission to strengthen cancer care for Mississippi.
Early detection saves lives. Trust in your care can make all the difference.

For decades, Dr. Stanley Smith has shaped generations of future physicians at UMMC. When he became a cancer patient, that lifelong commitment came full circle, deepening his trust in the care he has long championed.

12/26/2025

A happy, healthy holiday season to you and your family and friends from the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute!

Wishing you a healthy, happy holiday season from all of us at UMMC.

12/24/2025

Thank you to Victoria Gray and the Emily Whitehead Foundation for delivering Believe Bundles to brighten the day for pediatric sickle cell disease patients and adult cancer patients. Believe Bundles include items to bring patients comfort while undergoing treatment. ❤️

12/24/2025

The UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute is honored to be included in the December issue of Strategies magazine, which spotlights our outreach efforts across Mississippi. The feature highlights how CCRI works beyond our walls — connecting with communities through education, prevention, screenings and partnerships that help bring cancer care and trusted information closer to home.

Outreach is essential to our mission. By meeting people where they are, we can help improve early detection, expand access to care, and reduce cancer disparities across our state.

12/22/2025

Did you know staying active can lower your cancer risk by up to 25% and cut the risk of dying from cancer in half? Simple activities like walking, biking, swimming, gardening or lifting weights can make a real difference, said Dr. Buck Covington, an exercise physiologist and member of UMMC’s Lifestyle Medicine Cancer Care team.