Donald A. Adam donates 20M to H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

From the St. Petersburg Times-

TAMPA - The amount drew gasps from the 300-plus people crowded Tuesday in the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute auditorium.

$20.4-million.

From one person.

"I'm overwhelmed, " said Moffitt chairman and former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, who paused to hold back tears during the announcement.

The donation is the largest single gift in Moffitt's 21-year history and will go toward research and treatment of melanoma, the fastest-growing cancer in the United States and an especially significant threat to Floridians.

The benefactor is relatively unknown in the Tampa Bay area, though that may change once the Donald A. Adam Comprehensive Melanoma Research Center is established at Moffitt.

Adam, a 72-year-old Texas cable, banking and construction entrepreneur, has owned a large thoroughbred horse farm in Ocala for 13 years and opened his first two branches of the Florida-based American Momentum Bank in Tampa in October. He has made ties with some of the area's movers and shakers, recently adding University of South Florida president Judy Genshaft and former U.S. Ambassador Mel Sembler to his bank's board of directors.

Adam's Moffitt connection came around the same time he added Mack to his board a few months ago. But a scare when he was in his 50s also spurred his generosity.

No matter what his motives, Mr. Adam just helped countless people in Florida in their struggle to beat cancer. Speaking for myself, a 13-year malignant melanoma survivor, but I hope many others also I want to say thanks Donald A Adam.

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