The donation will help fund a new comprehensive cancer facility at the Georgia Regents University Augusta Cancer Center, and create a children’s camp for those with disabilities and illnesses. “We see this cancer facility and children’s camp as a way to help transform lives and serve the entire city, state, and region for many years to come,” said Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National and the Masters Tournament.
The Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area has announced a $6 million commitment from the Masters Tournament and Augusta National Golf Club to help fund the creation of a new comprehensive cancer facility at the Georgia Regents University Augusta Cancer Center, and a children’s camp for those with disabilities and illnesses.
“Through the Masters Tournament, we remain committed to the tradition established by our Founders to give back, and that includes sharing our resources with the community that supports us so graciously,” Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National and the Masters Tournament, said. “We see this cancer facility and children’s camp as a way to help transform lives and serve the entire city, state, and region for many years to come.”
The expanded facility will help facilitate the GRU Augusta Cancer Center’s quest for National Cancer Institute designation. With the community raising the remaining $8.5 million in private support, the State of Georgia has appropriated the $45 million needed to complete this phase of the project, a press release states.
Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver said he’s thankful for the generous gift, the Augusta-based WJBF Channel 6 News reported.
“We’re looking at potentially bringing in $300 million in research funding. Going towards the economic impact, it is huge. But, I think more than anything, it’s the way that it will impact the lives of my citizens—so I am greatly appreciative,” Mayor Copenhaver told WJBF.
The project will also include the creation of Camp Lakeside, a collaboration among GRU Augusta Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and The Family Y. This facility will accommodate more than 500 of the Children’s Hospital of Georgia’s most critical patients, as well as hundreds of children from around the CSRA. The Lincoln County, Ga., camp will be a place where children of all ages with disabilities and illnesses could take advantage of recreational activities in a medically safe environment, according to the press release.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.