Bank of America gives $250G to cancer center

NEW HAVEN — The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has given $250,000 to the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital, expected to be completed in 2010.
The major donor to the 14-level, $467 million facility on Park Street is Joel Smilow, an alumnus of Yale College, after whom the cancer hospital is named.
The bank said its donation was part of its tradition of investing in the communities it serves and in 2009 it plans to embark on a 10-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of neighborhoods.
The 500,000 square foot cancer hospital will house all inpatient and outpatient cancer services now scattered around the hospital’s medical campus. “Bank of America recognizes the positive contribution Smilow Cancer Hospital will make both medically and financially to the region by creating 350 new jobs during the construction phase and adding over 400 permanent full-time staff members once the facility opens,” said Kevin J. Cunningham, president, Bank of America Connecticut. “We are pleased to help provide both an immediate and long-term positive economic impact for the Hill neighborhood and the New Haven community by assisting in the funding of this comprehensive center.”
Hospital spokeswoman Katie Murphy said the $250,000 from Bank of America “has been a big boost” to the fundraising campaign.