Cancer warriors have gained another ally in the fight. Texas Tech Health El Paso and GECU revealed the name of the GECU Women’s Health Wing in the new Fox Cancer Center on Tuesday, Oct. 7. The event celebrated the strength of cancer patients across our Borderplex, honoring their stories while building hope for the future.
The unveiling of the new name was accompanied by the announcement of a transformational $10 million gift from GECU to the Fox Cancer Center’s Building Hope Campaign. The campaign supports construction of the region’s first comprehensive cancer center, now rising on the Texas Tech Health El Paso campus.
Visibility, Inclusivity and Support
The event tied into Breast Cancer Awareness Month with themes of visibility and inclusivity. In addition to the naming gift, GECU announced it will provide care packages for the first 100 patients treated at the new women’s health wing, extending support beyond the clinic and into patients’ daily lives.
The event also carried themes of empowerment, with rallying cries of “fight like a girl” and “conquer like a warrior” woven throughout the program. More than slogans, they serve as a reminder of the women in our community who face cancer with strength — and of the families, physicians and partners who stand beside them.
Women are often the heartbeat of families, caring for those around them even as they face their own health battles. Their strength, resilience and leadership have shaped our community. With the 34,818-square-foot GECU Women’s Health Wing, they now have a place focused on their health that will provide world-class care for generations to come.
“Our Board, along with the GECU team, are honored to contribute to the Fox Cancer Center,” said Crystal Long, GECU President and CEO. “The Center will provide those battling cancer a place close to home to receive life-saving care and hope on the journey to recovery.”
Long has served for seven years on Texas Tech Health El Paso’s President’s Development Council, a group of community leaders dedicated to connecting donors with philanthropic opportunities. They work to expand excellence in health care across the Borderplex and prepare future nurses, physicians, biomedical researchers and dentists. Long has witnessed firsthand how private donations and partnerships at Texas Tech Health El Paso transform lives by strengthening patient care and preparing the next generation of health professionals.
Honoring Patients and Care Teams
Staff, physicians and patients from the Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso Breast Care Center and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology joined the ceremony. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit behind battling cancer.
The event embraced the theme of a Garden of HOPE, symbolizing growth, strength and renewal. Together, the Fox Cancer Center and its partners are planting seeds of hope that will grow into lasting change for families in West Texas and our Borderplex.
“As we honor these women who are strong, tough, resilient and can move mountains, we’re also building a place where future patients will find compassion, healing and world-class care,” said Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., president of Texas Tech Health El Paso. “We are deeply grateful for GECU’s continued support in helping us make this vision a reality.”
A Rising Need in El Paso
Breast cancer remains a rising concern in El Paso County. According to the most recent federal data (2017-2021), the county sees an average of more than 500 new cases each year, with incidence rates increasing by about 1.4% annually. The Fox Cancer Center will ensure patients receive comprehensive, cutting-edge care close to home without the emotional and financial strain of traveling out of town.
For breast cancer warrior Lorena Limas, 63, that mission resonates personally. Diagnosed with Stage 1B breast cancer last November, she initially considered seeking treatment at MD Anderson in Houston but ultimately remained in El Paso for care at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso’s Breast Care Center and University Medical Center of El Paso.
“I don’t regret staying in El Paso for treatment one bit because family has been around, friends have been around. And they’ve been an important part in my healing process,” she said. “Because when you feel the most vulnerable, when you feel like the whole world is coming to an end for you, there’s always somebody that you can turn to.”
Her story underscores the importance of expanding comprehensive cancer care locally.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women and the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. The American Cancer Society reports that approximately 1 in 8 women will experience a breast cancer diagnosis.
Cancer is often treatable when detected early, making screenings essential for prevention and care.
On Sept. 17, 2025, Texas Tech Health El Paso broke ground on the cancer center and launched the $50 million Building Hope Campaign. To date, $45 million has been committed by community business leaders Steve and Nancy Fox and their family, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, the Hunt Family Foundation and now GECU.
The Fox Cancer Center will provide compassionate, comprehensive care, elevate life-saving research, and bring innovative clinical trials to the community we call home. With the addition of the GECU Women’s Health Wing, the center will expand specialized care for women across the region.
How You Can Join the Building Hope Campaign
The Building Hope Campaign offers an opportunity to transform cancer care for families across West Texas and the entire Borderplex. Pledges may be fulfilled over multiple years, allowing donors to make a long-term impact. Every gift of any size has the power to save a life, offer hope, and be part of our community’s cancer center forever.
We invite our Borderplex community to join us. Visit ttuhscepimpact.org/fox-cancer-center to learn more about ways to give and follow the campaign’s progress.
At Texas Tech Health El Paso, we’re building more than a campus. We’re powering a healthier, stronger Borderplex.
Texas Tech Health El Paso, in partnership with University Medical Center of El Paso, provides new hope for cancer warriors like Limas. To learn more about the Fox Cancer Center and our efforts to improve cancer care in the community, visit our website.
To learn more about Texas Tech Health El Paso’s mission and impact, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.
The post New Women’s Health Wing at Fox Cancer Center Will Expand Care in El Paso appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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