The final numbers have been tallied and KU School of Medicine-Wichita raised $268,596 from 139 donors through individual gifts and matches during One Day One KU on April 28-29. This was part of the $5,137,966 that was raised for the University of Kansas overall during the annual fundraising event. KU reported receiving more than 7,000 gifts, a record for the annual 24 hours of giving. In Wichita, gifts came from KU and KU School of Medicine-Wichita alumni, faculty, staff and friends.

“One Day One KU celebrates the extraordinary power of community,” said KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “Thousands of alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends united to invest in our shared future, and we are deeply grateful for their generosity. This day is more than a single moment. It is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together.”

In preparation of the KU School of Medicine-Wichita campus expansion in 2027 to the new Wichita Biomedical Campus, there were three major areas of focus for Wichita’s One Day One KU fundraising efforts: student scholarships, student and resident research and the Simulation Center. Giving vehicles included cash, checks and credit cards, but also supporters chose to use Donor Advised Funds as well as Qualified Charitable Deductions from IRAs. 

“Giving days usually have a focus on the here and now,” said Brad Rukes, KU Endowment senior development director-Wichita, “but through planned giving they can also help ensure our future.”

This year, three matches were met. The OB-GYN residency classes of 2025 and 2015 collaborated on a $5,000 match, which increased the funds for the Wichita Educational Resources-OB-GYN Fund. A $30,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor added to the Donna Sweet, M.D., Educational Fund was met. The 4-Wichita Board extended a $5,000 match that went to its medical student scholarship fund. James Walker, M.D., chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, pledged to match up to $13,000 for two separate funds and $14,000 in gifts were matched.

Meeting those matches resulted in an additional $54,000 included in the total for KU School of Medicine-Wichita during the 24-hour giving day. Contributions enabled KU School of Medicine-Wichita to take seventh place in the overall donation challenge, which unlocked an additional $3,000 from KU. In addition, Donna Sweet, M.D., documented a $1 million planned gift supporting the Donna Sweet, M.D., Internal Medicine Program Fund, which focuses on HIV, infectious disease and primary care education. This unlocked a $1,000 planned gift challenge.

Special messages were shared by Dania Jumpa, fourth-year medical student; Jonathan Liu, M.D., internal medicine resident physician; and Dean Laura Tatpati, M.D., in support of One Day One KU.

This was the ninth year for One Day One KU, and KU School of Medicine-Wichita is thankful for its loyal supporters who have contributed nearly $2 million since the annual giving day started.

Thank you to everyone, near and far, who contributed on One Day One KU or helped share the message in support of KU School of Medicine-Wichita! If you missed the day, but still want to make an impact, please contact Rukes at brukes@kuendowment.org.

Above, left: Dean Laura Tatpati, M.D., and Donna Sweet, M.D.