The cancer crisis in America is expected to grow. About 18.6 million people were living in the United States with a history of cancer as of January 1, 2025, according to “CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians,” the flagship journal of the American Cancer Society. That number is projected to exceed 22 million by 2035, driven by population growth, aging demographics and improved survival rates through advances in early detection and treatment.

At Paycom, a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, National Payroll Week started as a celebration of the employees who process paychecks for millions of workers, but it quickly became something much bigger. To conclude the festivities, Paycom and its employees raised $200,000 for Baylor Scott & White Health’s Texas Cancer Interception Institute (TCII), a transformational cancer research organization.

TCII represents a new approach to cancer care, focusing on intercepting the disease before it becomes life-threatening rather than treating it after diagnosis. The institute’s approach includes deploying simple blood tests that can detect cancerous tumor DNA before symptoms develop, as well as using artificial intelligence to identify high-risk patients for intervention.

For Jeff York, Paycom’s Leadership Strategist and former CSO, the donation carries deeply personal meaning. As a cancer survivor who received treatment at Baylor Scott & White, he knows firsthand how early detection can save lives.

“One of Paycom’s greatest strengths is the exceptional generosity of our employees,” York said. “This donation will have a tremendous impact on fighting cancer through early detection and innovative research that will help future generations.”

The week’s celebration included team games, relaxation spaces dubbed “Zen rooms,” food trucks and canoe races. But the employee giving program emerged as the most meaningful activity, connecting the company’s payroll professionals to a cause that affects millions of workers each year.

“We are deeply grateful to the Paycom team for their generosity and commitment to advancing the fight against cancer,” said Christina Goodman, president of Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation. “This gift is a reflection of the remarkable culture of giving championed by leaders like Jeff York, and it will help fuel the work of the Texas Cancer Interception Institute to save more lives through earlier detection and treatment.”

The donation reflects Paycom’s long-standing commitment to employee-driven charitable giving. The company has built its reputation on employee-first technology that uses artificial intelligence and automation to simplify HR processes for businesses nationwide.

The Texas Cancer Interception Institute’s goal of reducing cancer mortality by 50% over the next 25 years depends on support from donors like Paycom. The funds will specifically support research into new detection methods and treatment approaches, with TCII aiming to intercept cancers before they become life-threatening.