The Friends of the Cancer Center is a new non-profit 501(c)3 corporation for the purpose of helping end the devastation that cancer can bring to families and the community by raising funds for the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center general fund. The Friends of the Cancer Center is a group of cancer survivors, community activists and the friends and relatives of those affected by cancer.

The mission of the Friends of the Cancer Center is to heighten awareness of the role of the Cancer Center within the Ann Arbor community, to increase funding for the work of the Cancer Center, and to bring together the community for an enjoyable evening that will ring in a new year of hope and progress the fight against cancer. The University of Michigan ranks regularly among the top ten cancer centers and serves as a national leader in patient care and research. However, the Cancer Center is increasingly dependent upon community and corporate donations to continue its vital role in expanding the worldwide body of knowledge regarding cancer prevention, control, treatment and recovery. The proceeds raised by the Ring In The Cure New Year's Eve Ball will help support community outreach programs, patient care and fund new and promising research projects.