BUSINESS

Former teacher leaves $1.9M to Indy company for cancer research

By Michael Boren
michael.boren@indystar.com

In life, Margaret M. Weeks was a former Indianapolis schoolteacher who went quietly about her work.

But her decision to leave $1.9 million in her will to the Hoosier Oncology Group for cancer research has thrust her into the spotlight.

It is the second-largest gift in the ­Indianapolis-based company’s history — and arguably one of the most surprising.

“There isn’t much that we know about her, which makes this kind of a mysterious gift to us,” said Randy ­Dillinger, spokesman for the cancer ­research organization, “but one that we’re extremely grateful for.”

The donation, which was announced Thursday, was made from a trust established by Weeks in 2001 through Fifth Third Bank in Evansville, where she was living.

But key questions remain.

How did a schoolteacher amass so much money?

Why did she want to spend it on cancer research?

Why did she choose the Hoosier Oncology Group?

Weeks was born in 1918 and died Feb. 14 at the age of 94. Her last listed residence was Good Samaritan Home, an ­elderly care facility in Evansville, according to her obituary. She was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Weeks.

Weeks’ obituary says she was a retired schoolteacher from the Indianapolis School Corp. A news release from the Hoosier Oncology Group said Weeks taught in Indianapolis Public Schools, but it’s unclear in which schools she may have taught. An IPS spokesman could not be reached.

Officials with Hoosier Oncology were equally stumped about Weeks’ background and well-timed holiday gift.

“It came out of left field for us,” said Chris Fausel, chairman of the board. “We totally weren’t expecting it.”

Fausel said Hoosier Oncology, which performs clinical trials to test new cancer medicines and therapies, will use the gift to hold more blood and tissue samples for research and to support other cancer ­research methods.

Formed in 1983 as a collaboration between researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Walther Cancer Institute, the company now has 26 employees.

“Increasing our sample ­capacity will strengthen Hoosier Oncology’s ability to support the studies that are ­unlocking the genetic mystery of cancer,” Fausel said in a written statement. “Through these studies, we are seeing the continual development of safer and more effective cancer treatments.”

Fausel told The Indianapolis Star that the group is considering naming an annual award for Weeks.

Whatever the reason, such a gift must be a welcome surprise — particularly at this time of year.

“We hadn’t really gotten a donation like this,” Fausel said, “in a long, long time.”

Call Star reporter Michael Boren at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @borenmc.