Wallace Gift Of $5 Million For Cancer Research Largest Ever

May 25, 2004 – (Seffner, FL) – A $5 million gift from Don and Erika Wallace of Tampa to the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute is the largest gift ever to a single clinical or research program at the Cancer Center. Don Wallace is the CEO and President of Lazydays® RV SuperCenter® in Seffner, Florida.

“The Wallace’s history-making gift will help enable our doctors and researchers to provide the highest level of care possible to breast cancer patients throughout Florida,” says William S. Dalton, Ph.D., M.D., Moffitt’s Center Director and CEO. “Moffitt already is known for surgical, technological and clinical innovations, and this gift will allow us to achieve ever higher levels of serving cancer patients throughout Florida and the world.”

"We're blessed to be able to make this gift to Moffitt, and we hope this gift and the announcement of it will raise awareness about Moffitt's breast cancer program and the capital campaign currently under way,” says Don Wallace.

The gift is a contribution to Moffitt’s $87 million "Today the Tower, Tomorrow the Cure" capital campaign. The Wallaces are chairing the “Awareness Phase” of the campaign, which supports the translational research made possible by the construction of buildings devoted to research as well as to cancer care. Translational research involves putting laboratory discoveries to practical use quickly in the realm of patient care, and Moffitt's Tower Project represents one of the most important endeavors ever undertaken in the fight against cancer.

Don and Erika Wallace are now devoted to philanthropy and improving the community in which they live. They provide enthusiastic support to a wide range of other local organizations -- from children’s charities to the arts. Don currently serves on eight (8) charitable boards including the Moffitt Foundation’s Board of Directors and Erika serves on the boards of The Spring, a domestic violence shelter and ChairScholars, a scholarship program for disabled students. In addition, the Wallace’s set an example for others by giving generously to many community organizations including:

• University of South Florida • The Tampa Museum of Art • University of Tampa • Tampa General Hospital Foundation • University Community Hospital Foundation • Hillsborough Education Foundation • Make-A-Wish Foundation • Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center • The Children’s Home • Girl Scouts of Suncoast • Divine Providence Food Bank

In 2001, the National Cancer Institute awarded Moffitt the status of a Comprehensive Cancer Center in recognition of its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, cancer prevention and cancer control. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country’s leading cancer centers and is listed in the U.S. News & World Report as one of the top cancer hospitals in America. Moffitt’s sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

# # #

For More Information:

Tina Heflin (813) 246-4333
theflin@lazydays.com