You deserve love. You matter.

Pamela Buffett hopes the new cancer center in Omaha will “convey this message of compassion.”

You deserve love.

You matter.

Those are messages Pamela Buffett wants to send to people in the world who are trying to overcome so much in their lives, like cancer.

It’s a message she’s learned over the years of her life from the people she’s loved, including her own family and role models like Warren and Susie Buffett and her own big-hearted husband Fred, Warren’s first cousin, who died in 1997 of cancer – “this plague that hurts us all.”

That’s why she decided to give back to help build the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC.

From a conversation with Pamela Buffett:

There are few people whose lives have not been affected in some way by cancer. For me, cancer has touched many loved ones, including my late husband, Fred Buffett.

Fred was a vivacious soul, a wonderful husband, father, and friend, a devoted marathon runner, an NU football fan, and a true humanitarian. I was blessed to love this kind, honest and caring man.

Together we raised two beautiful daughters, Sarah and Rebecca. In our lives we were determined to make life better for everyone with whom we interfaced.

Fred was always passionate about helping those who did not have what we were so very blessed to have.

When Fred died of kidney cancer in 1997, the best gift I could have imagined giving him was a place that, beyond acting as a tribute to his spirit, would stand on the Omaha soil, in the state he so adored.

It is my hope that the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center will bring hope and help to the patients, families and friends Fred would have wanted to personally assist and console.

I was born in Omaha and raised by a loving and close-knit family, along with my twin brother, Peter, and my sister, Sally. I will cherish the thought of having a place in this great state that will bring comfort to those who suffer.

My desire to give back and give back in Omaha began at a young age when I was introduced to and worked as a babysitter for the children of Susie and Warren Buffett. I am so blessed to know these two wonderful human beings. Susie influenced my heart and soul at a very young age. She cared about everyone she knew and taught us the lessons of “every person is important” and “every person deserves love.” Warren is the greatest “Money Doctor” ever, a kind and ethical person, who helped me and my husband Fred along this journey in life. Because of Warren, my daughter Rebecca and my husband, during serious illnesses, were always able to receive the best of care. I will always be grateful for that gift.

In my life, I have tried to exemplify the values of my family, as well as Susie and Warren in my daily actions. My credo is: “You matter.” In donating toward this cancer center, I am endeavoring to communicate this message to a population of the world that must overcome so much. I want to acknowledge that they do matter, that they do deserve love, and most of all, that we are doing everything in our power to help find a cure for cancer, this plague that hurts us all.

During the 15 years I spent as an elementary school teacher, it was important to me not only to teach academics but also to make every child feel how special they were in the world. With a passion for working with children that began during my time spent babysitting Susie, Howard and Peter Buffett as well as the meaningful education I received at UNL, I was able to enjoy one of the greatest gifts of my life: imparting knowledge and lessons of love and kindness upon young children.

It is my hope this cancer center will continue to convey this message of compassion.

Cancer Research is one of the top priorities of the Campaign for Nebraska, now in its final year. If you would like to help support the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, please consider giving online or contact the foundation at 800-432-3216.