Johns Hopkins Hospital's Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore has received a $65 million gift from a former patient who died of pancreatic cancer in 2003 at age 62, according to a Baltimore Sun report.
The gift comes from the foundation of Albert P. "Skip" Viragh Jr., a late Maryland mutual fund investor who founded Rockville, Md.-based Rydex Funds. At $65 million, the gift is among the largest contributions Johns Hopkins has received, according to the report.
The money will be used to help pay for construction of a patient care building at the cancer center. The new building will be named in tribute to Mr. Viragh, who William G. Nelson, MD, PhD, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center, called a "wonderful character in life," according to the report.
The Viragh foundation gift is part of Johns Hopkins' $4.5 billion capital campaign, launched in 2010, to support the university and Johns Hopkins Medicine. It has raised more than $2.44 billion.
More Articles on Hospitals and Philanthropy:
10 Largest Donations From Individuals to Hospitals in 2013
Strong Nonprofit Hospital Philanthropy Stems From Staff, Culture
Raising the Bar for Raising Dollars: Do's and Don'ts for Today's Hospital Philanthropy