The Tom and Judy Love Foundation has made a $200,000 gift to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
The donation honors OMRF Vice President of Clinical Affairs Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., for her service to the foundation and will fund research in the Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program she leads. Researchers in its labs and clinics focus on understanding, treating and preventing complex autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
James, who first came to OMRF in 1988 as a Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar, is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and holds the Lou C. Kerr Endowed Chair in Biomedical Research. She is known internationally for her watershed work in understanding the early events of autoimmune diseases.
“The Loves are one of Oklahoma’s most amazing families, not only for their incredible business success but also because of their philanthropy,” said James, a lifelong Oklahoman. “I’m honored that they have decided to recognize our work, and as with every donation, we will ensure that every dollar goes directly toward research here in Oklahoma to benefit patients with autoimmune disease.”
Tom and Judy Love opened their first truck stop in Watonga, Oklahoma, in 1964. Today, they own and operate more than 600 Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores locations throughout the U.S. In 2013, they founded the Tom and Judy Love Foundation to support organizations improving lives in Oklahoma and across the country.
The gift was made through United Way of Central Oklahoma. OMRF has been a United Way Partner Agency since 1959.
“We are pleased to facilitate this grant from the Tom and Judy Love Foundation to OMRF,” said Debby Hampton, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Oklahoma. “OMRF is one of our longtime partner agencies, and that relationship gives us a window into the vital work that goes on there. This generous gift will no doubt help make future discoveries possible within the Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program.”
