New namesake for North Carolina Basnight Cancer Hospital honors longtime supporter

The name has changed, but the mission is the same for the North Carolina Cancer Hospital in Chapel Hill.

On Monday, state leaders and hospital officials unveiled the North Carolina Basnight Cancer Hospital.

Before his death in 2020, democrat Marc Basnight served eight terms as president of the state senate. His wife's death from cancer inspired his push for increased funding toward cancer research and the creation of the North Carolina Cancer Hospital at UNC Health.

In a statement on the new name, a spokesperson for UNC Health said Basnight was instrumental in opening the hospital.

Janine Jones survived Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at the hospital and turned her experience to service.

"This hospital and the care I received saved my life. I am now eight years cancer free. I have served on the patient advisory committee for seven years as a way to give back to this hospital," said Jones.

Basnight also played a large role in 2009 for funding of the Biomedical Research Imaging Center.