Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive End William Gholston Funds Cancer Health Disparities Research at Moffitt Cancer Center
Donation during Black History Month Will Focus on Cancers that Disproportionately Affect Black Communities
TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Moffitt Cancer Center announced today that Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston has donated $225,000 to support research into cancer health disparities. The donation, made during Black History Month, will help fund discoveries in breast, colon, and prostate cancers — all of which disproportionately affect Black men and women. Gholston's gift will go to Moffitt's George Edgecomb Society, which seeks to eliminate cancer health disparities in communities of color. The society honors the memory of H. Lee Moffitt's close friend, African American pioneer Judge George Edgecomb, who died of leukemia in 1976.
"When I was presented with the opportunity to donate and be a part of the betterment of cancer research for Black communities, I could not think of a better way to honor my family," Gholston said. "My father and uncle both died battling cancer, and my mother has won her battle with cancer multiple times. This battle is hard. The fight is hard, and any amount of research or help is huge in my eyes. I hope this donation helps others who are fighting or may have to fight down the line. You can never get the time back, but with this effort we may be able to add more time for others. "
Gholston lost his father to lung cancer and an uncle to prostate cancer. His mother, a breast cancer survivor, has volunteered at Moffitt for the last several years, participating in the center's Healthy KIDZ events.
"We thank William and his family for their continued support of Moffitt. This donation carries great thoughtfulness and intent, and will help fund critical research," said Dr. Patrick Hwu, CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center.
Gholston has directed his donation specifically to help with research into breast cancer in honor of his mother, and colon and prostate cancers because of their outsized impact in Black communities. African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colon and prostate cancer than any other ethnic group in the United States.
Gholston and the Buccaneers will host the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at their home stadium in Tampa on Sunday, Feb. 7.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt's scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt is the No. 11 cancer hospital and has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report since 1999. Moffitt's expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 7,000 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.4 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About the George Edgecomb Society
Created in 2017, the George Edgecomb Society is dedicated to addressing inequities in health care for African Americans. The society is focused on ensuring equitable health outcomes and the elimination of cancer health disparities among Black communities. The group is named after George E. Edgecomb, the first African American judge in Hillsborough County. Judge Edgecomb's death in 1976 at the age of 33 helped inspire H. Lee Moffitt to create a premier cancer center in Florida — Moffitt Cancer Center, which opened in 1986.
SOURCE Moffitt Cancer Center
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