McAlhany Family Center for Collaborative Research Established at GGC

05.14.15
McAlhany Family Center for Collaborative Research Established at GGC

John and Norma McAlhany of Greenwood have established ‘The McAlhany Family Center for Collaborative Research’ at the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC). Through a $1 million gift to the GGC Foundation in honor of their children and grandchildren, the McAlhanys are providing resources to support research efforts between GGC and collaborators from other institutions with the ultimate goal of preventing and treating genetic disorders and disabilities.
The McAlhany Family Center for Collaborative Research, housed in the J.C. Self Research Institute, will be a magnet center fostering joint research between GGC and researchers from Clemson University, Self Regional Healthcare and others. The Center will provide laboratory space, equipment, and support for preliminary and exploratory collaborative research efforts.
“The research supported by the McAlhany Center will serve as a catalyst for innovation for the development of diagnostic tests and effective therapies,” shared GGC Director Dr. Steve Skinner. “This is research that will have a global impact on patients and families as well as on the future of genetic medicine.”

Dr. John McAlhany has served the Greenwood Genetic Center through more than two decades of leadership on the GGC Board of Directors and the GGC Foundation Board of Trustees. “Over the years I have grown to appreciate the vital mission that the GGC serves, and through this gift I am following in the footsteps of my dad who understood the importance of philanthropy,” said John McAlhany. “With this gift Norma and I hope to instill in our family and others a sense of giving and the importance of philanthropic gifts to the future of GGC and other organizations.”

“Over the years, John and Norma have shown unwavering dedication and support of the mission of the Greenwood Genetic Center through their personal service and philanthropic gifts,” said Dr. John Hunt, Chair of GGC’s Board of Directors. “We are honored to dedicate this wing of the JC Self Research Institute as ‘The McAlhany Family Center for Collaborative Research’ in recognition of this very special couple, their family and their permanent legacy supporting genetic research.”

Lucy's Story

When our daughter Lucy had a metabolic crisis at 7 days old, we were shocked and devastated to find out that she was born with a rare genetic disorder (MSUD). Her newborn screening results did not make it back in time to prevent the crisis, and no one at our local hospital was familiar with the disease. They did not know how to treat her. Calls were made to Greenwood Genetic Center to confirm her diagnosis and guide her care. Dr. Champaigne and Ami...

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