Baptist Health Foundation announced that it has received a $1 million donation from George Fernandez benefiting an endowment for Baptist Health Cancer Care Key West. The gift will provide ongoing support for facilities, equipment, programs and other cancer care resources.
“We’re extremely grateful to George Fernandez for this significant gift,” said Wendy Reilly Gentes, Assistant Vice President of Development at Baptist Health Foundation. “He understands the needs of the Key West community, and his generosity is leading the way in transforming healthcare in the area. His support will benefit many cancer patients who will now have access to lifesaving care without having to travel far from home.”
A resident of Key West, Mr. Fernandez became interested in supporting Baptist Health Cancer Care after watching the only provider in Key West leave the area, forcing his good friend to seek treatment elsewhere before losing his battle with cancer. He was impressed by Baptist Health’s commitment to expanding cancer care throughout the Keys, and opening a center in Key West providing chemotherapy and radiation oncology to fill this critical need.
“This mission is personal to me,” said Mr. Fernandez. “Like many, we’ve experienced the problems our friends and loved ones have encountered in our community in need of cancer care. I felt that this gift would be the best way to give back to the Key West community, the place that — as the self-appointed goodwill ambassador for the past 32 years — I’m very proud to call my forever home.”
