(AP) – A Kansas City-area couple has donated $2.5 million to the University of Kansas Cancer Center.

The money from Tom and Teresa Walsh of Leawood will support the nurse navigators program. Nurse navigators help patients through appointments, tests, treatments and follow-up, as well as providing emotional support.

The center announced the gift Monday. It said in a news release that the Walshes’ gift will support five new nurse navigator jobs.

Tom Walsh, an entrepreneur, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas in 1980. Teresa Walsh co-founded Silpada Designs jewelry, which was purchased by Avon in 2010.

In 2011, the Walshes made a $2 million gift to the cancer center, of which $1 million established the Walsh Family Foundation Patient Navigation Fund.